St. Louis-Style Pizza Was Invented Here In Missouri, And You Can Grab One From Monte Bello Pizzeria In St. Louis

Missouri is known for its delicious food, and we can all thank our beloved state for some absolutely amazing food inventions – the ice cream cone, toasted ravioli, and Provel cheese, to name just a few. It’s also home to the one-of-a-kind St. Louis-style pizza, invented right here in, well, St. Louis. The next time you're in the mood to try this fabulous dish, you'll want to visit the classic restaurant that pays homage to Amedeo Fiore.

Perhaps ironically, St. Louis-style pizza is the invention of an Italian immigrant who first moved to Chicago, Amedeo Fiore, where he had a successful career as an opera singer. Upon moving to St. Louis in 1945, he opened his own Italian restaurant.

At the time, pizza hadn’t yet become a cultural phenomenon in the United States, which gave Fiore the opportunity to introduce both classic Italian pizza and his own St. Louis-style pizza.

With the St. Louis-style pizza, Fiore also changed things up a bit. Provel cheese replaced provolone, and the crust was thin like a cracker.

Once out of the oven, Fiore cut the pizza into squares, which he then dished up on a napkin for the perfect quick meal at the Melrose Café and Pizzeria.

While Fiore’s pizzeria is long gone, pizza lovers can still order a famous St. Louis-style pizza in Missouri at countless pizzerias, including the oldest pizza joint in St. Louis.

That’s Monte Bello Pizzeria, and it’s been a city staple since 1950. However, before you dig into a piping hot pizza pie, indulge in another Missouri original – homemade toasted ravioli.

Monte Bello’s pizza features homemade sauce, and you can order everything from the classic to the SOB (homemade Italian sausage, onions, and bacon).

Take a peek at the rest of the menu, too, that features an assortment of salads and sides, including garlic bread and hand-cut French fries.

Check out the days, hours, and a menu on the Monte Bello Pizzeria website.

Where’s your favorite place to get St. Louis-style pizza in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! Next time you’re up for an adventure, how about hitting the highway on this dinosaur-themed road trip through Missouri? And, if you're feeling proud to hail from Missouri, check out this unique apparel from Wear Your Roots!