Ontario is home to the 'pizza capital of Canada' and you've probably never had pies like this
It's not Toronto 👀🍕
A specialty-style slice of pizza. Right: A person eating pizza in the "pizza capital of Canada."
If you're craving a slice of pizza, there's no better place to be than this Ontario destination. Known as the "pizza capital of Canada," this city is brimming with wood-fired pizza spots and family-run pizzerias that will satisfy all your cravings.
The city even boasts its own unique style of pie, defined by a few standout features that make it unlike any other regional style in Canada.
Windsor, Ontario, is a pizza-lover's dream come true. It's home to the most pizzerias per capita, according to the National Post, and you can find a slice of drool-worthy pie around every bend.
The city has been dubbed the "pizza capital of Canada" for its many pizzerias and unique style of pie.
It's famous for its Windsor-style pizza, which most notably uses shredded pepperoni instead of traditional slices so that you can enjoy even more across each bite.
The pizza typically has a thin, crisp crust finished with cornmeal for added texture. Many Windsor pizzerias use locally produced Galati mozzarella, which melts in your mouth and has a rich flavour.
Other unique features of the Windsor-style pizza include canned mushrooms, preferred for their consistency, and a sauce with strong oregano flavours.
While the origins of the Windsor-style pizza are unclear, many locals and pizza fanatics attribute it to Volcano Pizzeria, according to Tourism Windsor Essex.
Founded in the 1950s by Italian immigrant cousins Gino Manza and Frank Gualtieri, the Italian diner was named after Mount Vesuvius, near Naples, Italy.
In the early 1960s, the cousins purchased four-deck pizza ovens and began serving pies, leading Windsor to a "pizza boom."
At the peak of its popularity, Volcano Pizzeria operated a fleet of 20 delivery vehicles—all classic Volkswagen Beetles.
The venue closed in 1986 after nearly 30 years of serving iconic slices. Their legacy, however, can be seen in Windsor's pizza scene today, as many former employees began their own pizza joints, replicating the iconic recipe. Volcano's serves as the "backbone" of many of Windsor's local pizza chains today.
Tourism Windsor Essex notes that it's not unusual for former Windsorites to freeze a pizza from their local pizzeria and take it with them to their new homes, or deliver it as a gift for friends and family in other destinations.
Windsor pizzerias have even shipped pies to their longtime customers who have moved elsewhere.
These iconic pizzas have travelled to Calgary, Texas, and even Germany, proving that no distance is too far when it comes to a craving for Windsor-style pizza.
So, where should you head if you're looking for some traditional Windsor-style pizza?
Tourism Windsor-Essex told Narcity that some of the most popular and long-standing spots to enjoy a slice or two are Antonino's Original Pizza, Capri Pizzeria, Arcata Pizzeria, and Armando's Pizza. These locally-loved establishments are consistently praised for their quality and consistency, and offer the traditional elements of the Windsor-style pie.
Next time you're in the area, be sure to grab a slice from the "pizza capital of Canada."
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.