sterlingmade Spring 2026

Jet’s Pizza

LEGACY

A Slice of History Detroit-style pizza’s rise from auto plants to national fame comes to the Sterling Heights Public Library.

B efore it rose to national fame, Detroit-style deep dish pizza — known for its thick, airy crust and caramelized edges — was a local secret rooted in blue-collar ingenuity. Bakers used industrial steel pans, originally pro duced for the auto indus try, to create the iconic square slices that would become a regional staple. That story will take a slice of the spotlight on May 6, when Karen Dybis presents Detroit Style Pizza: A Doughtown History at 6 p.m. at the Sterling Heights Public Library. Hosted by the Sterling Heights Historical Commission, the event explores how the city’s manufacturing heritage helped shape one of Michigan’s most iconic foods.

“We make fresh dough every morning and hand-press it into those pans. That’s what gives it the crunch — the way the cheese and dough mix together.”

tradition remain defining factors, Mark added. “We make dough every single day. We shred our cheese every day. We cut vegetables every day,” he said. “Not one part of the recipe or prep has changed since my first day.” From factory roots to family dinners, Detroit- style pizza continues to tell the story of its city — and on May 6, residents will have the opportunity to explore that history, one slice at a time.

One company that helped bring Detroit-style pizza beyond city limits is Jet’s Pizza. Founded in Sterling Heights in 1978, the brand has grown into a national franchise while staying rooted in its Michigan origins. General Manager Mark Brooks, who has been with the company for 21 years, after starting as a delivery driver, said Detroit-style pizza is about more than ingredients. “It’s a pride thing,” he said. “It’s Detroit-style. It’s better than the other ones because it’s home. People that grow up here carry that with them wherever they go.” Freshness and

MARK BROOKS JET’S PIZZA GENERAL MANAGER

sterlingmade

38 • SPRING 2026

sterlingheights.gov