Buddy’s original Detroit style pizza pleases (pizza photos by TJ Kozak)

Detroit is a pizza lover’s paradise. Thick, thin, round, square, local specialties, mom and pop joints, stand-alone carry-outs and national chains—everyone has their favorite in the Metro area.

Consider that all of these chains were founded in Detroit (okay, stretching the boundaries a bit…let’s say Southeast Michigan):

• Buddy’s, Detroit, 1946
• Cottage Inn, Ann Arbor, 1948
• Domino’s, Ypsilanti, 1960
• Happy’s Pizza, Detroit, 1996
• Hungry Howie’s, Taylor, 1973
• Jet’s Pizza, Sterling Heights, 1978
• Little Caesars, Garden City, 1959
• Papa Romano’s, Southfield, 1970

On top of these there are smaller Michigan chains and one-of-a-kind pizza palaces like Loui’s Pizza in Hazel Park, famous for its square, Detroit-style pie.

The originator of that distinctive style of pie is Buddy’s, which was recognized in 2011 by Detroit Mayor Dave Bing who declared June 23 “Buddy’s Pizza Day,” now known as National Detroit-Style Pizza Day.

That thick and chewy, forget-about-calorie-counting slab of Motor City specialty was first served in 1946 at Buddy’s Rendezvous, at Conant and Six Mile Road in Detroit.

Buddy’s roots date to 1936, when it opened as a blind pig pouring bootleg beverages throughout Prohibition.

Delish veggie pie with spinach and sliced tomato

By 1946 owner August “Gus” Guerra had gone legit with the tavern and, working with Concetta “Connie” Piccinato, added the Sicilian-style pie that put the place on the pizza map.

They filled forged-steel pans from automotive plants with a double-proofed dough to create a thick but light and crispy, thick crust—believed to be the first square pizzas in the country. Another twist: the toppings are layered in reverse: the pepperoni goes on the dough, followed by Wisconsin brick cheese (special to Buddy’s) and wide tire-track-like stripes of tomato sauce on top.

We used to chow down at the original location while attending the nearby University of Detroit and living in Palmer Park apartments. There was an outdoor bocce ball court then; I’ve read that it’s open occasionally. Since those days, we’ve tried Buddy’s carry-out pizza, but there’s nothing like enjoying it hot out of the oven at a restaurant, as we sometimes did, at Buddy’s or Loui’s,for family birthdays.

Last gathering before we moved to the Upper Peninsula was at Buddy’s in Livonia (a suburb on Detroit’s west side). We feasted on the signature Antipasto salad with “made from scratch” vinaigrette dressing, and a selection of the famous square pizzas.

On such a day for splurging, our gang handily polished off four of Buddy’s finest large pizzas, and we did vie for the crunchy, cheesy corner pieces.

There’s more on the menu—soup, sandwiches, pasta—but we’ve never strayed from the pizza and salad.

Buddy’s has 18 locations in the Detroit area; five are carry-out only. The spacious Livonia dining room we’d visit is inviting and decorated with photos of Detroit landmarks and sports icons.

Now that we live in the U.P. (which has its own style of pizza, food for another post), I’m drooling over the thought of going back to the gritty city for a slice of delicious local history at the Detroit original.

Buddy’s
18 Southeast Michigan locations
including Livonia
33605 Plymouth Rd.
734.261.3550
and the original on the east side of
Detroit
17125 Conant St.
313.892.9001

Located in Area A on the map

All photos and stories copyright Kath Usitalo unless otherwise noted