Ike Sewell

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Ike Sewell

Ike Sewell (1903 – 1990) was an American entrepreneur, best known for his contribution to popularizing pizza in the United States, particularly the creation of the Chicago-style pizza. Sewell was born in Texas but made his mark in Chicago, Illinois, where he established the now-famous pizzeria, Pizzeria Uno, in 1943.

Early Life

Ike Sewell was born in 1903 in Texas. Details about his early life, including his education and initial career, remain sparse. However, it is known that before venturing into the restaurant business, Sewell worked in various jobs, including roles in sales and marketing.

Career

In 1943, Ike Sewell, alongside his business partner Ric Riccardo, opened Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. The restaurant is credited with inventing the deep-dish pizza, a variation of pizza that features a thick crust and is baked in a round, steel pan. Unlike traditional Italian pizza, which is typically thin-crust and cooked on a flat oven surface, Chicago-style pizza is known for its deep ledge that allows for large amounts of cheese and chunky tomato sauce.

Sewell's innovation did not just stop at the creation of a new pizza style; he also played a crucial role in popularizing this style across the United States. Pizzeria Uno became a landmark in Chicago, drawing in locals and tourists alike to experience the unique taste of Chicago-style pizza. The success of Pizzeria Uno led to the opening of a second location, Pizzeria Due, in 1955.

Legacy

Ike Sewell's contribution to the American culinary landscape extends beyond the creation of a pizza style. He is celebrated for transforming pizza from a relatively unknown dish among Americans to one of the country's favorite foods. Before Sewell's innovation, pizza was primarily eaten by Italian immigrants and was not widely known outside immigrant communities.

Today, Chicago-style pizza is recognized as one of the iconic foods of Chicago, with Pizzeria Uno still in operation, serving as a testament to Sewell's lasting impact on American cuisine. Sewell's legacy is also evident in the numerous pizzerias across the United States that offer Chicago-style pizza, showcasing the widespread appeal of his culinary creation.

Death

Ike Sewell passed away in 1990, but his contributions to the culinary world continue to be celebrated. He is remembered not only as the inventor of Chicago-style pizza but also as a visionary who saw the potential of a simple dish to become a staple of American dining.

See Also

• Chicago-style pizza
• Pizzeria Uno
• Culinary arts
• American cuisine

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