Domino's Might Be Responsible For Why You Dip Your Pizza Slices In Ranch
Does ranch dressing belong on pizza? Ask anyone outside the U.S.; the answer will likely be a resounding "no." Many Americans, however, would probably give an affirmative. The reason for this is partly due to the condiment's popularity. It all started in 1949 when Hidden Valley Ranch founder Steve Henson created his now iconic buttermilk-based salad dressing. By 1983, people were using it as a dip, and by 1992, it took the top spot as America's favorite dressing, beating out Italian.
Not long after, ranch dressing also became a condiment for pizza. The trend is sometimes credited to Pizza Hut, which in 2005 introduced Dippin' Strips to the menu, an entrée consisting of dippable pizza with a side of ranch dressing. Thanks to the popularity of Dippin' Strips, select Pizza Hut locations in the South began providing ranch as an optional side to its regular pies. But while many sources confirm that this did happen in 2005, the truth is that ranch became a pizza condiment several years prior, thanks to a different pizza chain.
When did Domino's start serving ranch?
Nowadays, you can easily add ranch dressing to any Domino's order, but it wasn't always that way. Opening its doors in 1960, Domino's was in business for over 30 years before it began offering ranch at its restaurants. In 1994, a pizza joint might have been the last place you'd think would serve it, but the reason Domino's made the decision to do so was due to a new menu item it introduced: chicken wings.
The chicken wings were available in hot, mild, and barbecue sauce, and alongside every order was a side of ranch. Blue cheese dressing had long been the traditional dipping sauce for chicken wings. Still, with the growing popularity of ranch, it made perfect sense for Domino's to go with Hidden Valley's newer innovation. Adding chicken wings to the menu explains why Domino's started offering ranch at its restaurants, but when did people start dipping their pizzas in it?
Domino's never intended to pair ranch with its pizza
While Domino's today is known as a wings and pizza chain, before 1994, it primarily sold pizza. That means when people ordered the new chicken wings, it was probably alongside their regular pizza order. In fact, Domino's initially advertised them as a side item. "Call for any pizza and get a full order of our new chicken wings for $3.99," an early commercial stated.
Given that many customers enjoyed both wings and pizza together, people likely just started dipping pizza in the ranch leftover from their wings because Domino's never suggested it themselves. Abby Reisner, author of the book "Ranch" recalls this. "That's what I remember from birthday parties when I was young and on late nights in college. Ranch and pizza, pizza and ranch," Reisner shared.
Ranch dipping wasn't just limited to Domino's pizza, though. A 2008 article from The Washington Post reported the trend was in full force at Philadelphia Pizza Co. in Georgetown. "We go through three to four gallons on Saturday nights," the pizzeria's manager said. Clearly, not much has changed since then because plenty of people still seem to be putting ranch on their pizzas.