× Expand via George Grinstead/Flickr Pizza, the official food of Thanksgiving Eve.

It's no secret that Thanksgiving Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for bartenders. For many Americans, the night provides a rare opportunity to catch up with distant friends and family. For others, Thanksgiving Eve offers an escape from irritable, annoying, or judgmental in-laws.

You might unknowingly participate in another American tradition each Thanksgiving Eve – ordering pizza. In an oft-forgotten footnote to early American history, the night before the Pilgrims enjoyed Stove Top stuffing with the Native Americans on a Thursday in 1621, they ordered pizza. The Pilgrims sent a carrier pigeon to Papa William Bradford’s Hut, an early American establishment known for their chunky tomato sauce. Young people today don’t realize how difficult life was for the Pilgrims – pizza delivery times in the 1600’s were dreadful.

Today, Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year for pizza restaurants. Chef Jim Meinecke of Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante in Midtown says that they are doubling their delivery drivers for the night.

Brent Neal, Manager at La Pizza in University City, told St. Louis Magazine that Thanksgiving Eve and Halloween are the two biggest nights of the year. Orders begin “piling in a week before,” he says.

Why is this? First, pizza is easy and convenient. Group cooking may sound appealing, but is often overwhelming. Pizza is also a crowd pleaser. Some may claim to distance themselves from the carbs, but it’s a holiday, so diets don’t count, right?

Plan accordingly this year and get your pizza order in early to one of St. Louis’ many great pizza joints.

Lead photo via