Daniel Otero

I was born in Brooklyn, New York and 1 Front Street was a always a treat to visit on the weekends, because it was my favorite pizza joint, Grimaldi’s. In spite of the long lines and waiting for a table between 25 and 45 minutes during lunch and dinner times, it was a special occasion, whether it was summer or winter. Because I knew once inside, I’d enjoy one of the best pizzas in the whole of New York City.

New York City has the reputation of making one of the tastiest pizzas in the world. Yes, outside of Italy, there are only two other places in the world which make great pizza. One is my hometown New York City and the other is Chicago’s deep-dish pizza.

You can’t beat the taste, it’s yummy and heartiness when you are in the northern and northeastern parts of the United States.

As we all know, pizza was invented in Italy and it was a beautiful culinary dish created almost two centuries ago for Queen Victoria while visiting Naples, given the name of Pizza Margherita.

Now, the influence of pizza has gone worldwide, not only in Europe and North America. It has gone far and beyond of what most people would have dreamed of.

Pizza is still enjoyed throughout Central and South America, in countries such as Brazil (with their concept of pizzaiolo) and Argentina with their influx of Italian immigrants after World War II, variations of delicious pizzas are created.

This hasn’t stopped this dish from growing into an international phenomenon. It has gone to the far-off reaches of Africa (Ethiopia), and with the Italian immigrants going to Australia — it also made its tasty arrival there. It has also arrived in places like Hawaii and the locals added the elements of pineapple.

It has come to China in the form of the franchise, Pizza Hut. However, Pizza Hut was never to my fancy compared to the wonderful pizzas I have tasted in on Shanghai Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. It doesn’t matter if it’s made by Italian or Chinese hands. The secret is in the fresh dough, thick tomato sauce and cheese. Once the cooking time is right in the oven, it’s the perfect pizza to enjoy.

Where do I still get my favorite pizza from?

Well, it is still in New York and when I’m visiting my city, it’s a necessary pit stop at Grimaldi’s to have a pizza pie from heaven.