Growing Up Around Pizza | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Growing Up Around Pizza

My first word was dough, my second was sauce.

30
Growing Up Around Pizza
Alexis DiZenzo

My entire life, I have been the pizza gal. I know the good stuff from a mile away. I've only had it shoved into my face for the past 18 years. Seriously. Since the day that I was born, I have been surrounded by the "pizza" business. The only pizza I was allowed to eat was the family's pizza, and it was frowned upon to eat any other pizza. It was complete betrayal and you would be spoken to about it.

College has brought upon the pizza devil on my shoulder telling me it's OK to eat that Dominoes at 1 a.m. or Colony on a Saturday night. So when those moments occur and the devil takes over, I basically turn into Hannah Montana and live that double life. No one will ever know I just ate a greasy glob of dough, with a sad excuse for sauce on it, and globs of meat that look like sausage but are probably cow stomach for all I know. I admit it, I'm guilty of the betrayal. But at the end of the day, no one beats my daddy's pizza.

Circa 1997, your gal was born. I'm pretty sure I made it home and lasted there about a day before I was thrown back and fourth between not one, but two pizza places. My dad at the time owned Anthony's Pizza in Bridgeport, Conn. At the same time my Nonno, (Translation: Grandpa in Italian) owned Jerry Shakespeare's Pizza in Stratford, Conn. I wasn't walking or talking yet, but I was being passed around over the counters and across the tables at both places.

I never let my parents live this one down, but I spent my first Halloween, which is my favorite holiday, planted on the counter of my dad's pizza place dressed as a pea in a pod. First of all, I would have been better off in a pizza costume, it would have made a lot more sense. Secondly, I spent my first favorite holiday pulling in costumers with my cute face and awful costume instead of being posed next to a pumpkin and having photos to remember of my first favorite holiday.

At some point before Daddy missed too much of his daughter's early years in a pizza place, he sells his, but the pizza life doesn't end there. I spent almost every day at Nonno's place with my little sister. We never had Play-Dough growing up because who needs that when you have real dough. We ate pizza pretty much every day and would sneak sodas out of the cooler. I mastered how to fold pizza boxes efficiently, and could make a dozen in a few short minutes. I knew how to make a bomb pizza all by myself by the time I was eight years old. I've yet to master how to throw the dough up in the air and flip it but I was never the athletic type, nor will I ever be.

It was a sad day when Nonno retired in the pizza business and Jerry's was put up for sale. I cried for a good week and missed having a good quality pizza at the snap of my fingers.

Oh, but it doesn't end there.

My dad has taken on pizza yet again; this time full-force. Now that one daughter is out of their hair and off in college and the other is also just about there, he has started the concept of take-and-bake pizzas. Let's be real, frozen pizza is sh*t and it always will be. Take-and-Bake's are fresh pizzas that are vacuumed-packed and are ready to be cooked at home. They taste like a fresh pizza you would get on the spot. Jerry's Apizza Take and Bake's are now being sold in ShopRite stores across Connecticut. With that, Shoprite of Derby has a pizza place right in the store when you can sit down and order your pizza right there.

My fridge at home is still always stocked with pizza and take-and-bakes last in the fridge a lot longer than leftover pizza. From pizza places to take-and-bakes, pizza has and always will be a huge part of my stomach, but more importantly my heart.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 Of The Best Shows To Binge Watch Over Winter Break

As the semester is coming to an end, most of us are going to have more free time on our hands. This calls for binge watching a new show on Netflix and really using this break to relax from the stress of school. Here are some of the best shows on Netflix that you should be watching.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Gifs That Explain Your Lazy Weekend

Get ready for 2.5 days of doing absolutely nothing

416
netflix
Kayla Master

Admit it: everyone loves to have a lazy weekend every once in a while. Not too much work to do, comfy clothes, Netflix binge sessions: just a few of the perfect components of a relaxing weekend. While you may get to a point where you regret doing absolutely nothing with your weekend, you just got to pull through and finish out this weekend to prove that you can go 2.5 days without accomplishing a single thing.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Truths About Being In A Sorority

(For Girls Who Are Interested In Greek Life)

2507
Sorority
Rebekah Lee

I remember my freshman year oh so well. I remember feeling terrified the night before orientation. The one thing that I dreaded the most was not the new people, the new environment, or even the academic pressure. I was dreading having to talk to sorority girls about Recruitment. I remember cutting off and avoiding any Rho Gamma/Panhellenic Officer that came my way during First Week. I looked at them like they had asked me to cut my arm off whenever they asked me if I wanted to rush. To be honest, I did not even know what rush was, but I knew that I did NOT want to be a part of it. To me, it was dumb. It was a waste of money. It was a waste of my time.

And guess what? I did not rush my freshman year. I spent the first half of my freshman year isolating myself from everyone on campus. I spent all of my time in the library, and then (since I was a commuter) went back home once my work was finished.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 Must Watch Shows During Winter Break
Netflix

Now that the semester is over, you are probably wondering what your purpose of life is beside writing essays and constantly studying. Breaks give you time for some rest and relaxation, and what better way to relax than cuddling with some hot cocoa and some Netflix. Here is a list compiled of shows that must make it into your binge watching sessions, with the website in which you can find it. Enjoy!

Keep Reading...Show less
Disney Princesses
The Odyssey
Tiana would no doubt be disappointed in the food our cafeteria has to offer.

And hopefully she would cook for everyone in her dorm.

She definitley would not take any 8:00 am classes because she would be up late baking and cleaning up the communal kitchen that are available in every dorm.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments