Posted by 
I have always been a pizza enthusiast. Not just any casual fan who enjoys a slice now and then, but someone who has strong opinions about crust thickness, sauce-to-cheese ratios, and yes, even pizza shapes. It might sound ridiculous to some, but the shape of your pizza actually matters a lot more than you would think.
Unexpected Charm of Detroit-Style Square Pizza
Last summer, I visited Detroit for a work conference. Being from the East Coast, I had always been loyal to the traditional round New York–style pizza – thin, foldable, and perfect for a quick lunch. But my colleagues insisted we try this local Detroit-style square pizza place that apparently had lines out the door every weekend.
I was skeptical. Square pizza? It just seemed wrong somehow. But I cannot deny what happened next. That thick, perfectly rectangular slice with its crispy, caramelized cheese edges completely changed my perspective on what pizza could be. The corners oh my goodness—those corners with their extra crispiness were something I had never experienced with round pizza.
Why Square Pizza Deserves More Respect
There is something mathematically satisfying about square pizza. You get more pizza per pizza, if that makes sense. Think about it when you order a round pizza, those curved edges leave empty space in the square box. But with square pizza, you are utilizing every inch of real estate.
And let us talk about slicing. Have you ever tried to evenly divide a round pizza between five people? It is practically impossible without someone getting shortchanged. Square pizza, on the other hand, can be cut into perfect, equal portions without any complicated geometry.
For home cooks, square pizza is also much easier to make. You do not need any special equipment, just a regular rectangular baking sheet that everyone already owns. No pizza stone or special round pan required.
The Timeless Appeal of Round Pizza
But I cannot sit here and pretend that round pizza does not have its merits. There is something deeply traditional and satisfying about a perfectly circular pie. The way you can fold a triangular slice of New York-style pizza feels almost ceremonial.
Round pizza also has better edge to middle ratio distribution. Each slice gives you a perfect balance of crispy crust and topping-heavy middle. With square pizza, especially the corner pieces, you sometimes end up with too much crust.
I still remember my first trip to Naples, Italy, where I watched in awe as pizzaiolos tossed round dough into the air with practiced precision. That experience watching the dough spin and expand into a perfect circle felt like watching an art form that has been perfected over centuries. You simply cannot get that same romantic experience with square pizza.
Efficient Comparison between square pizza and Round pizza
Square pizzas utilize space more efficiently in packaging, as they fit perfectly in square boxes without leaving empty space, unlike round pizzas which leave gaps in square boxes. Similarly. square pizza ovens can be more space-efficient, allowing for larger cooking areas within the same footprint. Square pizzas can be cut into equal portions more easily, making them ideal for sharing. However, round pizzas are often sliced into triangles, which can be more efficient for serving uniform portions. Round pizza ovens are generally more efficient in terms of heat retention, leading to better crust crispiness. However, square ovens provide more uniform heating, which can result in consistent cooking times.
Finding Middle Ground between Square pizza vs Round pizza Debate
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the square vs. round pizza debate is not really about which is objectively better. It is about context, preference, and even regional identity. My Detroit experience taught me that I had been missing out by being closed minded about pizza shapes. Now, I keep an open mind. New York-style round pizza for lunch breaks and casual dinners, Detroit style square pizza for parties and when I am craving those crispy corners. I have even started experimenting with making both shapes at home. My rectangular baking sheet works perfectly for square pizza, while I finally invested in a round pizza stone for those times when I crave that classic circular pie.
Perhaps the true pizza enlightenment is not choosing one shape over the other, but appreciating each for what it brings to the table. After all, is not any pizza better than no pizza at all?
Reference
Steve Dolinsky in (2021). *Pizza City, USA: 101 Reasons Why Chicago Is America’s Greatest Pizza Town*. Northwestern University Press.
Square Pizza Podcast (2023, November 10). “Episode 42: The Physics of Pizza Shapes with Dr.
Maria Rodriguez” [Audio podcast]. Spotify.
Castellano, G. (2023). “Why the Sicilian Square Slice Deserves More Respect.” Food & Wine. Retrieved from www.foodandwine.com/sicilian–square–slice
r/Pizza (2024). “Square vs. Round Pizza Megathread.” Reddit. Retrieved from www.reddit.com/r/Pizza/comments/square-vs-round-debate