One of Maryland’s most iconic hometown restaurants is celebrating a major milestone. Ledo Pizza, the originator of what’s now known as Maryland Style Pizza, turns 70 years old today.
First opened as Ledo Restaurant in 1955 in Adelphi, Maryland (Prince George’s County), the family-run spot became famous for its rectangular pizzas, biscuity crust, sweet tomato sauce, and smoked provolone cheese. The combination has since become synonymous with this region’s unique take on pizza.
When the first Ledo opened, round pizza pans were still a new concept, so the founders opted for rectangular pans instead. The decision stuck, and that distinctive shape became part of what makes Ledo Pizza instantly recognizable.
While the term Maryland Style Pizza has become more widely embraced in recent years, it mostly refers to the pizza found in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., particularly in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Locals often debate what makes it great, whether it’s the buttery crust, the sweet sauce, or the smoky cheese, but fans across the region agree there’s nothing quite like it.
Today, Ledo Pizza operates more than 100 locations across several states, but its roots remain firmly in Maryland, where it helped define a regional style that still sparks pride and plenty of conversation seven decades later.
