Encyclopizzeria 
Huey Lewis said it best when he proclaimed “it’s hip to be square.” Whether or not he was talking about pizza, the point still stands: square cut pizza is the best cut pizza. Sure, the standard single slice will always be pie cut. And, of course, we already know that some styles of pizza are traditionally rectangular (Sicilian, New Jersey “Grandma Pies”, Detroit Deep Dish, etc.). But what about taking a familiar, round, thin crust pizza and cutting that into squares? If you live in Chicago, St. Louis, or one of many other towns throughout the Midwest–you probably wouldn’t even give it second a thought. In these cities, thin crust pizza almost always comes square cut.
It isn’t perfectly clear how this technique came to be. Considering that some other names for square cut pizza are “tavern cut” or “party cut”, it’s possible that the square cut method was born from the pies slung in neighborhood taverns of the Midwest or from pizzas divvied up to entertain a crowd of party-goers. In any case, the style has been around since pizza first entered the American zeitgeist and still remains ubiquitous throughout the Midwest and other regions.
While square cut pizza may be an unfamiliar concept to many, it actually makes a lot of sense. Here’s why:
Allows for greater control of portioning
Cutting a pizza into squares inevitably results in smaller pieces that tend to vary in size. These different sized pieces allow for a greater number of portion possibilities without requiring the diner to do any additional cutting of slices. With a “normally” cut pizza (also called “pie cut”), you might eat 2 slices and still be hungry, but not hungry enough for a full 3rd slice. With small squares, you can easily keep grabbing another until you’re full! (Besides, it’s so much easier to avoid the guilt of how much pizza you are eating because you can keep telling yourself “I’ll just have one more little piece!” — which should be its own point, really.)
Easier to share among an arbitrary group of people
Pizza is a food meant to be shared. It brings people together. It shouldn’t be pitting an odd-numbered group of friends against each other as they fight over the last slice. The typical school of thought with pizza slicing places an undue constraint on how many people it makes sense to eat a pizza with. Given that the number of slices is always a multiple of 2, the group should be an even number, and with “normal” pizzas typically cut into 8 slices, it gets messy when you have any number other than 2, 4, or 8 people going splitsies. Further, the pieces are almost never going to be completely equal in size, which is easily another point of contention! With a square-cut pizza, there is a greater degree of flexibility in dishing out the pizza fairly, and the inconsistent size of pieces is much less noticeable. The pieces can be split up equitably from the start, or everyone can grab slices as they go. With the greater number of pieces, it’s hard to keep track of how many pieces each person has had, so no one ends up feeling slighted.
Eat different varieties more easily
Scott Feldstein via Flickr
Especially for larger groups, parties, etc., having smaller pieces means you can dabble in many topping varieties more easily. Depending on the pizza options available, you could potentially have one of every variety. Sampling is effortless. With a traditional pie cut, you may have 1 or 2 slices and be full (or scorned for taking more than your share), only getting to have minimal variety.
Crust doesn’t go to waste
Adam Kuban via Flickr
Let’s face it, some people just don’t like to eat the pizza crust (children, low-carb dieters, picky eaters, general weirdos, etc.). For everyone else, it’s a complete waste unless you go picking off their plate! With a square cut pizza, some pieces have crust while others don’t. Crust haters can have pieces that don’t have crust and won’t end up wasting the crust when others would have gladly enjoyed it. There will still be the same amount of crust on two pizzas of equal diameter, but a square cut pizza allows the crust to be allocated directly to those who want it.
Easier to handle
Cutting a pizza into squares usually means nice, small, manageable pieces that could easily fit in the palm of your hand. You can lift a small square-cut piece with two fingers and handle it quite easily, consuming it with just a couple bites. Even without the crust “handle” on the middle pieces, their smaller size makes that basically a nonissue. The pieces aren’t large enough to flop, so there is no need to fold it in half and no temptation to use a knife and fork (a thin crust pizza faux pas!). Additionally, you’ll find it much easier to fit these slices on a plate, eat while standing up (e.g. socializing at a party), or pack into storage containers (in the unlikely event that there are any leftovers!).
The little triangles
Cutting a round pizza into squares introduces a phenomenon known as “the corners”. Each square cut pizza has 4 little triangular pieces in the “corners” (yes, a circle can somehow have corners). They are essentially tiny novelty sized slices with a linear inch or so of crust, a splash of sauce and a touch of cheese, and if you’re lucky, a stray topping. The scarcity of having only 4 of these little guys makes them quite alluring, so much so that they are often fought over! There is no inherent quality that makes them so good, but, inexplicably, they just are.
Unfamiliar concepts are easily dismissed as “wrong,” but in the case of square cut pizza, I believe there is plenty of reason to make a pie-cut devotee reconsider their allegiance. I for one am an ardent supporter. In any case, it has served us quite well here in the midwest for many decades, and I expect the tradition to remain unwavering!
Disclaimer: It should be said that you can’t just go square cutting any style of pizza. For Chicago style thin crust in particular, it works because the crust has a uniform thickness: it is as thick in the center of the pizza as it is at the edges. If you were to cut a NY style pizza into squares, the middle pieces would likely be a goopy mess. Similarly, you’d have some structural issues (i.e. runaway oozing cheese) if you tried this on a Chicago deep dish pizza.
Which side are you on?
49 Comments
That last picture. That corner piece. That is the dumbest part of the argument. That piece exists on ever slice of a pizza that is cut properly. And then the assumption that if you don’t like crust, but I eat my crust (it’s tolerable to enjoyable), then you get to eat “the best most epic sought after part of the pizza,” and I get loads of crust? That is really just an excuse for you to be selfish. You want to watch carbs, so you over load me with them? Why are you eating a pizza in the first place? Because you cannot see the bottom it is suddenly not a large flat sheet of carb under all that sauce and cheese?
Listening to the reasons that you square cutter spew is like listening to someone validate their entry into a pyramid scheme.
Just admit you are a fool or just admit that you like it because you like it.
Whatever. It does offer variety for people and it is easier to eat that way
The article posts a fine argument. The bottom line is this…East coasters are going to think big triangles are the way to go and Mid-westerners are going to think party cut style is the way to go.
So all you need to know is that the Mid-western way is the correct way.
For a guy named “PIZZAMAN” you sure don’t know shit about pizza. Get the hell off this website and go back to eating your trash pies.
square cut is fine for pizza served as an appetizer or a snack, but it is annoying if one is trying to eat pizza for dinner. of course, one could say the same thing about chicago-style thin crust pizza, period. i pizza needs more substance to be best for a hearty meal (and i mean pizza, not chicago style deep dish “pizza”).
I don’t like crust so square-cut is my preference! I’m not a big eater so squares are perfect! Pizza is always just a snack for me anyway. Go Chicago-cut!
Your post is spot on. Unless it is Chicago style deep dish, I really do not like thin pizza cut into pie slices. I find it too frustrating to eat. Might as well eat it with a knife & fork. One place by me does that to their medium size pizzas and it drives me crazy! Fighting for the corners, having “one more piece”, easier to handle…it’s all true.
Square cut on round pizza is a great way to screw up a perfect PIE!
Pie cut for adults.
Square cut for children at a birthday party.
Agree.. Being presented with a square pizza feels like when your parent used to have to cut your meat.
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I had never considered that one of the benefits of eating square pizza is that people who don’t like the crust don’t have to eat it. My niece loves to eat pizza, but will never eat the crust because she says it is too hard to eat. I’ll have to see what she thinks of the square sized pizza next time she comes over for a sleep over.
Every argument is pure bunk. These look all like arguments that were created to defend such a stupid idea after being called out on just how awful this cut is. Stop defending it. The dumbest excuse of all is that it’s easier to handle. Seriously, what color is the sky in your world. It’s an abomination, stop defending it. I lived in Chicago, I’m from Jersey. I have had both. Any argument that defends squares in bunk.
Would anyone cut a round apple pie into squares? NO, that would be idiocy. It would be an abomination and difficult to manage. Why butcher a round pizza into squares? One ends up with the same problems. One ends up with silly middle pieces with no handle and tangential bits with no sauce or cheese. Worst argument of all is that it has served us well for so long. Living in caves served us for so long, who wants to go back to that again?
This propaganda is b.s…. triangle cut is the only proper way to cut a pizza
You must be from NY because you can’t pick up NY pizza its to soggy so you have to roll it up like a Cannoli. I am 78 years old and have probably eaten more Chicago squares than all you pizza rollers put together.
Go Squares!
FOR NO MORE ARGUMENTS LETS JUST AGREE THAT SQUARE PIZZA IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR SQUARE PIZZAS AND PIE CUTS ARE FOR CIRCULAR PIZZAS
For those that don’t eat crust, the crust is a handle. Square cut round pizza is disgusting!
I totally agree.
Spot on
Anyone who cuts a pizza into squares is a complete moron. Just eat it as a triangle…even if you have to fold it, at least you still have the crust as a “handle” and I’d your counting carbs, order tofu, not fucking pizza…
Cracker crust pizza can’t be folded. Found the coastie.
No true pizza lover cuts a round pizza into squares. If you have a square pizza like “Little Caesars” then you don’t know what pizza is, so cut it any way you want! Triangles are the only FAIR way to cut a pizza. Why? because you get your share of Crust plus all the other ingredients to the center. A Triangle cut pizza is a democratically cut pizza where as Squares discriminates against most if not all of the eaters. Oh and if you want smaller portions, easier to handle? Cut smaller triangles. DUH. That way you can still pick it up by the crust rather than picking up soggy cheese. Yuck. “Unfamiliar Concepts” in this case is a Synonym for “I didn’t know the right way to cut pizza!”
I totally agree. And who doesn’t love the crust? Best part! (If cooked properly.)
what is you had square pizza with triangle slices??????? is that even legal???? or what about a triangle pizza box, with a square pizza that had circle slices??? see it doesn’t make sense. Illuminati confirmed
I eat whole pizza by myself for lunch or occasionally dinner. So, let’s go point by point:
1. Allows for greater control of portioning. No, I control it by size and toppings. Remember I eat the whole pizza, just me.
2. Easier to share among an arbitrary group of people. Who cares, I’m eating myself if you want some, order it yourself, I’ll even pay.
3. Eat different varieties more easily. This makes very little sense, I don’t want people dabbling in my meal.
4. Crust doesn’t go to waste. You’re correct, never has, never will; regardless of the cut. An moot point.
5. Easier to handle. Are you crazy? Pie cut has the perfect crust side, i.e. built in handle.
6. The little triangles. You have strange friends that fight over my pizza, leave me alone and you don’t have to worry about “corners”. If you love the so much, get a life. Make you own pizza’s on unsalted tortilla chips.
Traingle all the way. This pie cut devotee will NEVER change allegiance. This is the biggest pizza “argument” in our house. Wife and younger son say square cut. Me and my older son say pie cut. So, consequently, when I order the pizza I always request pie cut…and my wife shoots daggers all night. Totally worth it to have pizza cut like a normal person. Besides, it’ s a pizza PIE! Therefore you cut it like a pie.
Genius article. I am also from Chicago, now living in South Florida (heavy east coast/NY influence). Square-cut (Chicago cut) is the only way to go. I miss the wonderful variety and excellence of Chicago pizza both thin and deep dish. Square-cut is for thin crust though. Best article that I’ve read in a while online. I would nominate Stephen for a writing award (if I knew how).
We always knew it as St Louis style because of Imos Pizza. Chicago has deep dish, not the square. Screw the Hawks (made this PG for the kids)
Reason #7 – It’s faster!!!
I’ve cut around half a million pizzas. An experienced pizza cutter can chop a pizza into squares in only a second or two. Cutting it into triangles pretty much triples the time, as you have to change the angle of the knife. And if you sell hundreds of pizzas in 2 or 3 hours and have them stampeding towards you on a conveyor belt threatening to jump over the edge, every second counts!
No real pizza is cooked on a conveyor belt.!
no, you stupid. if you wanted to cut a pizza into let’s say 18 pieces, you’d have to cut it 7 times. 4 up and down and 3 side to side. as opposed to cutting a pizza as a pie. cutting a pizza into 18 triangles as well, it would take 6 cuts. and nobody eats a pizza like that so you wouldn’t have to cut it into 18 pieces. stop being dumb and get your facts straight.
Little triangles are your argument? How about smaller triangles all around so you don’t have gross soggy middle piece? Anyone who cuts pizza into squares should get their brain checked.
When debating pizza shapes, I feel there are two main distinctions used to say which cut is better. Commercials featuring the iconic triangle shape usually show a family, or small group of friends sitting down among each other, pulling out slices while chatting. Because the size, and shape of the slices are easy to grab from anywhere around where the pizza is set, no situations come up when reaching for another piece (accidentally touching someone’s hand, reaching over someone trying to take another piece, etc.), meaning the group is able to converse and enjoy their time together without spending too much of it grabbing food.
Conversely, the square pizza slices seem to signify a larger gathering than just a few friends or a couple of families. Thanks to the smaller slice size, more people can be satisfied with less pizza, meaning more money for other aspects of the large get-together. Of course, problems such as touching someone else’s hand when going for a slice are prevalent. But due to the fact it’s a large group of people being fed, there is less of a reaction since it is more often than not a simple mistake, and there are plenty other people to meet and converse with besides the person you met at the pizza box.
All in all, I think simply stating “one slice of pizza is better than another” is not a valid argument, but instead should be more like “one slice of pizza is better in this setting versus that setting” which may open more doors to debate and maybe even discovering a new type of sliced pizza which functions in its own manner in society.
The square cut argument doesn’t hold here either. Pizza was never intended as a party platter, and shouldn’t degregated as such. Ever been to a triangle cut pizza party’? Boxes stacked on boxes. A sign of party goers who appreciated the gift of pizza in its peaceful and natural environment.
Unless its the last pie on earth, where we have to divide a single 18″ between more that 12 people, 15 minutes before the asteroid hits; order another pizza and let the people eat a proper serving portion: a fully radial triangle piece.
This is treason and you know it
It is the the dumbest pizza idea I have ever seen.
Pizza gets colder quicker with more smaller slices and Domino’s pizza cold is disgusting.
Its harder to handle, yes way harder to handle little pieces where all sides can have sauce dripping out.
Gee I love picking up a little dainty odd shaped piece of pizza and having no idea how small the piece will be until it leaves the box. This is fun playing games with my food, just what I want to do.
It is so dumb of an idea that literally millions (yes millions) of pizza places around the world could copy the idea without getting into trouble, and they don’t cut their circle pizza into little bits of squares or triangles.
Goodbye Domino’s. I stopped ordering from you because you cut my pizza into squares and triangles and I can’t trust the staff to not cut it when I order online and request special instructions.
Dominos is the exception to the “bad pizza is still good” rule. I’ve had them 2x in 20yrs and while free or almost free, their cardboard still wasn’t worth it.
Sorry, but if Im ordering a specialty crust, ( i.e. sesame) I want it on every piece, spare me your soggy center squares.
I want pepperoni. Wife wants mushroom and onion. Please explain to me how to pie cut a pizza with two disparate set of toppings. I have no issue with pie cut, but when ordering two different toppings per side, tavern cut is the better option.
You snow flake dems on east coast keep eating your soggy disgusting mess you call pizza. Yes NY pizza is a pie, butt pie.
Round pizzas should NEVER be square cut (PERIOD)! NEVER, FOR ANY REASON!
End of discussion.
Hitler and Mussolini came up with square-cutting round pizzas to torture Jewish Italians.
75 years later and we are still fighting those evil bastards.
STOP THE MADNESS!
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All good points! I’ll add another: freezing leftover squares are easier to store in a freezer bag. (oh the hate messages I’ll receive on this one hahaha)
Portion control is a big one for me because I can’t eat 2 (of 8) pie slices but 1 isn’t quite enough… 3 (of 16) squares are perfect! We also order multiple pizzas so I get 3 varieties if I so choose.
It’s true smaller pieces are easier to handle, not as sloppy, but when in NY I do love a big sloppy pie slice! Like you said, different pies call for different cuts.
Adam Kuban’s photo of wasted crusts hurts my soul. While I like crust, I’m not always in the mood for it… except the corners! Those are the drive home bonus for going to pickup the pizza
or at least that’s my price.
Square cut enables me to have crust or not, whatever my current mood.
Anyway, great article! I’m surprised by the people who appear to have been triggered by it with flashbacks to (unhappy?) childhood
Pizza, no matter the cut, should be associated with good memories!
Well let me retort
5 reasons square pizza is an affront to humanity.
1. Would you cut a pumpkin pie, cheese cake, a round layer cake like this? …. Nope.
2. Those middle squares are floppy and will slop sauce done the front of your shirt and hands.
3. Ratio of Crust/Sauce/Cheese/topping on a slice is exacly the same every piece. Its a Yin Yang of the pizza eating expierence. There is no ratio with a square slice every bite/slice will be different.
4. If you find pizza cut into squares it means your most likely in the Mid-west and that means the roads are alway being worked on and winter is going to be terrible.
5. Even Pizza Rat had the good sense to drag a slice of pizza … not a square of pizza.
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You ate crazy. Pizzas are pies. Can you imagine a cherry pie cut into squares.
Square pizza pieces, they can’t be called slices, is the stupidest idea as far as pizza goes. Pieces should be cut into slices not squares
Square sliced (midwest) pizza dates back to when only The Boss knew how much territory everyone got.
In New Jersey the “commissioners” knew all the members got equal “territory” . No need to make a mess about how the pie is sliced!
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