The Cheese is the Difference

If you ask any Windsorite what makes our pizza the best in the world, they’ll likely point to the shredded pepperoni or the cornmeal crust. But the true "secret sauce"—the component that provides the structural integrity and signature flavor—isn't a sauce at all. It’s the cheese.

Specifically, it is Galati Cheese, produced right here in Windsor by the Galati Cheese Company. Here is why this local staple is the hill that every Windsor pizza lover is willing to die on.

🥛 The High-Fat Difference

Most commercial pizzerias across North America use "part-skim" mozzarella to save on costs. While it melts, it often becomes rubbery or oily. Galati, however, produces a high-fat, 100% whole milk mozzarella.

Because of the higher milk fat content, Galati cheese doesn't just melt—it transforms. It creates a rich, creamy mouthfeel that acts as a buffer between the tangy tomato sauce and the salty toppings. When you take a bite of a Windsor slice, you aren't just eating cheese; you're experiencing a premium dairy product that hasn't been watered down with fillers or starch.

🔥 The Perfect "Brown Bubble"

In the world of pizza, aesthetics matter. Windsor pizza is famous for its golden-brown "leopard spotting" on top. This happens because Galati cheese has a unique caramelization point.

• The Stretch: It provides that iconic, long-string pull that remains tender even as the pizza cools.

• The Bubble: It blisters into small, toasted pockets of flavor rather than one giant, greasy sheet.

• The Moisture: It is a low-moisture cheese, meaning it won't release a pool of water in the center of your pie, keeping that thin Windsor crust crispy and firm.

🏆 A Legacy of Local Loyalty

The relationship between Galati and Windsor pizzerias is a masterclass in local synergy. For decades, the Galati family has supplied nearly every major name in the city—Antonino’s, Armando’s, Capri, and beyond.

When you order a pizza in Windsor, you are participating in a local circular economy. The cheese is made here, the pepperoni is shredded here, and the pie is baked here. This consistency is why a Windsor pizza tastes the same in 2025 as it did in 1985; while the rest of the world looked for cheaper supply chains, Windsor stayed loyal to the quality of Galati.

The Verdict

Without Galati, a Windsor pizza is just a regular pizza. It is the glue that holds the shredded pepperoni in place and the flavor that lingers long after the crust is gone. It is proof that in a world of mass-produced ingredients, local quality is the ultimate luxury.