Crusty, tasty, topped with cheese, pizza is more than a comfort food. Pizza is an object of ceremonies. A food that brings people together, an ambassador of peace.

September 20th, National Pizza Day celebrated the love Americans have for Pizza. Which brought a pizza pop up event to Times Square that showcased pizza from around the country.

The event included Detroit Style Pizza, which is rectangular. California Style Pizza that is topped with locally sourced vegetables. St. Louis, New Haven, and Greek Pizza Styles were also at the event.

Chicago Style Deep Dish was included in the Pizza celebration, and New Yorkers were not happy about it.

“Chicago Style Pizza, is not pizza,” a New York fireman at the event said, “It’s a f**king casserole”

“This isn’t pizza, it’s a cornbread biscuit that someone melted cheese on and you poured uncooked marina sauce on it,” said another person at the event.

“Why is the cheese under the sauce? The cheese goes on top of the sauce?” A woman questioned.

Complaints about Chicago’s inclusion in the New York Pizza Pop Up came all night long. One guest demanded their money back saying, “This is not pizza, this is tomato soup in a bread bowl”

Mark Lang, a Chicago transplant had this to say, “I’m glad it’s here. It tastes like home, they should build a Lou Malnati’s in Time Square.” Mark and his family had to leave the event early, as they had become scared for their safety.

Organizers say that Chicago will not be invited to next years pizza sampling pop up. They have apologized and issued a statement that says, “We will not be including pizza you can drown in next year.”