pizza bianco

Craving Some of the Best Pizza Bianco in Town? Check Out Tony’s!

If you’re a cheese lover, a pizza bianco, or white pizza, is for you. This unique pizza forgoes the traditional tomato sauce in favor of a rich, cheesy dining experience. When you’re searching for some of the best pizza in the Charlotte and Hickory area, make sure to visit Tony’s Pizza.

Oh, and as a note, if you’re saying it like a true Italian, it’s pizza bianca!

A Quick History of White Pizza

Pizza bianco has a tasty history. Legend has it that bakers in Naples tested their oven’s temperature by placing a small piece of dough inside. This simple piece of dough eventually evolved into a versatile treat enjoyed throughout the day. In Italy, pizza bianco often resembles focaccia more than the classic pizza Americans recognize featuring a chewier, drier texture. Typically, it’s brushed with olive oil and sea salt and often topped with ingredients like mozzarella, figs, prosciutto, or chard.

However, the arrival of Italian immigrants in America in the late 1800s marked a significant transformation for pizza bianco. As they settled in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, they brought their cherished recipes but adapted them to local ingredients and cooking methods. While Italian bakers used wood-fired ovens, American bakers employed coal-fired ovens. Thus, this produed a crisper crust and gives rise to the American take on white pizza.

How to Make NY Style Crust

Creating a great pizza starts with its foundation: the dough. For a New York-style crust, you’ll need just six essential ingredients:

  1. High Protein Flour: Flour with a protein content of 13-14.5% yields a stronger, firmer crust, perfect for holding up under the weight of toppings.
  2. Yeast: You can use either instant or active dry yeast, but they require different water temperatures for activation. Instant yeast is more forgiving, while active dry yeast prefers warm water.
  3. Olive Oil: A quality olive oil adds flavor and moisture retention to the dough, resulting in a softer texture.
  4. Sugar: A small amount of sugar helps create an evenly browned crust while adding a subtle sweetness.
  5. Salt: More than just a flavor enhancer, salt plays a crucial role in yeast fermentation and strengthens gluten, leading to a more elastic and flavorful dough.
  6. Water: The correct hydration level (59-64% of the flour weight) is essential. Too much water makes the dough sticky, while too little results in a denser crust.

Crafting NY Style Pizza Bianco

Once you’ve mixed and kneaded your dough, let it proof. Many pizza chefs recommend cold fermentation in the refrigerator for 3-5 days to deepen the flavor. When you’re ready to make your pizza, take the dough out 2-4 hours beforehand to bring it to room temperature.

Stretch the dough to your desired size, then brush it lightly with water to prevent drying. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic (powder, fresh, or roasted) before adding dollops of ricotta and a generous layer of low-moisture mozzarella. Feel free to top it off with low-moisture (because you don’t want soggy pizza) Pecorino Romano or parmesan cheese for added richness.

If this seems too daunting, why not skip the hassle and head to Tony’s Pizza? Since 1981, we’ve proudly served some of the best pizza in North Carolina, including our delicious pizza bianco, crafted from authentic Italian family recipes from Calabria.

FAQs About Tony’s Pizza

Have some questions about your local Tony’s? Luckily, we have some answers!

Do You Serve More Than Pizza?

Absolutely! While pizza is our specialty, our menu features over a dozen appetizers like wings, toasted ravioli, and garlic knots. You’ll also find salads, hot and cold subs, strombolis, calzones, and several authentic Italian entrees. For dessert, we have a variety of sweet treats. We even offer a special menu for kids, with dishes priced at $5 or less.

Where Is Tony’s? Pizza?

We have multiple convenient locations across the Charlotte and Hickory area:

  • 688 Bluefield Road, Mooresville
  • 9548 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, Huntersville
  • 1530 Overland Park Lane, Charlotte
  • 1605 Galleria Boulevard, Charlotte
  • 14027 Conlan Circle, Charlotte
  • 1832 Catawba Valley Boulevard SE, Hickory

Do You Allow Dine-in?

Yes! All our locations offer dine-in options, and we’ve partnered with delivery services to bring your meal straight to your door. Takeout is also available.

What Do Customers Think About Tony’s Pizza?

To truly find out how great a local restaurant is, it’s wise to check their reviews. Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite 5-star reviews from our loyal customers.

“NY style pizza, large slices, they also have a 24″ pizza that is crazy. Always try to grab one while in Mooresville.” – Michael M.

“We ordered a large pizza, Philly cheesesteak and fries. Everything was delicious! Will be visiting again soon.
A hidden spot that we would have never found had I not Googled for good pizza restaurants.” Deirdre C.

“Incredible pizza every time. Every ingredient they use tastes amazing but something about the sauce just makes it better than every other pizza place around. We drive 30 minutes for it pretty regularly. Highly recommend trying the toasted ravioli with your pizza, you won’t be disappointed.” Austin E.

“My family and I having been eating here for years! The food is always hot and fresh. The NY style pizza is AMAZING! The toppings are fresh and filling! The subs are great especially if you’re looking for a NY Philly!!! Customer service is a plus too! The staff are friendly and very accommodating!” Brooke G.

Come Grab A Slice of Pizza!

Feeling the craving for cheesy, delicious white pizza? Visit your nearest Tony’s Pizza for lunch or dinner today and grab one of the best slices of pizza bianco in town!