Namesake
As evidenced by period photographs of O'scugnizzo's Pizza in East Utica, New York, tomato pie was sold as early as 1914. Along with chicken riggies, and "utica greens", tomato pie is regarded as an idiomatic part of Utica Italian-American cuisine.
The Trenton tomato pie may even predate the Utica variety. Joe's Tomato Pie (now defunct) was first opened in 1910. Papa's Tomato Pie, whose proprietor learned the trade at Joe's, was opened two years later in 1912.
Chefs and cooks who make tomato pies define the distinction between pizza and tomato pies in the process of making the pie. Pizza adds tomato sauce before adding cheese and other toppings while tomato pies add the tomato sauce after cheese and other toppings.
Read more about this topic: Tomato Pie