When looking for the originators of the now famous Regina-style pizza, look no further than the Houston Pizza located on Hill Avenue. The restaurant was founded in 1970 by John Kolitsas and his three brothers, who brought the hearty pizza recipe over from Greece. That family tradition is being carried on by John’s son Jim, who is now the president of Houston Pizza. “They were just trying to make a living and looking for some way to set their restaurant apart and came up with this unique way of making pizza,” Kolitsas told CTV News. Kolitsas said one of the best parts about being involved with the original Houston Pizza in Regina’s Lakeview neighbourhood is the vast array of people he sees walk through the doors for a slice. Kolitsas has seen provincial politicians put aside their affiliations when they come to his restaurant. He also said he loves seeing multiple generations come through the doors — seeing customers starting families of their own. “We’re making a difference in people’s lives. And making people happy with that and seeing the reaction when somebody tastes the food for the first time, it’s great to see,” he said. CTV News took to the streets to see what the prevailing opinion was on who had the best Regina-style pizza in town. It was a small sample size, but the two mentions were both staples in the Regina pizza community. “Houston’s always been my favourite choice, for sure. And it’s convenient, very convenient for me too since that is right by where my daughter lives,” said one Regina Resident. “Western Pizza on Ninth Avenue North. I find the service is great there. People are so friendly, and I think they make very, very good pizza,” said another resident. A third pizza interviewee had a split vote. “Houston is always my favourite. Lots of meat, good pizza. And Western Pizza on South Albert is wonderful. “ The owner of Sparky’s Pizza, Derek Leung, worked at both Houston and Western for 20 years before opening up his own restaurant, where he’s now been for 25 years. He says what’s kept him in the industry for so long is one simple thing. “People,” he said. “We have a lot of the same local customers. And they come here, they watch sports and all get together and have a family get-together. “ For Houston Pizza, the love and demand for their creations extends well beyond the Queen City. Director of Operations Spero Milios said they have shipped pizza out to Houston, Texas on more than one occasion, mainly because of a Google search error on the part of the pizza proprietor. But Houston Pizza has been shipped all over the United States and even across oceans. “New Zealand, Japan, Australia, we have some standing orders that go to Australia — those are the furthest,” Milios said.
