My very first taste of a pizza pie, was a halfn'half cheese/pepperoni jumbo from a diner on main road in our wee city.
Unfortunately, had the time future brother-in-law showed up with it, I was in my school night routine. So, all I got, that September 1967, was the crust with pizza sauce.
Sibling was dairy intolerant so the cheese had been removed and the excuse for no pepperoni was that it was too spicy for me... Aye right!
Texture was amazing and I fell in love with pizza. Nevertheless, it took me until 1977, decade later almost, to enjoy my very own small pizza, with my chosen toppings.
Pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers and extra cheese, thick crust at the newly opened Pizza Hut. It became known as the "Combination Pizza" on many menu boards.
Over the years, it changed to thin crust, pepperoni/mushrooms and of course, extra cheese! Never had problems with dairy, thankfully!
PS the pizza came about through bakers wanting to use leftover bread dough!
Mangiare!