Our Bread: Schiacciata
(Skee-ah-KAH-Tah)

​

At Ciao, Tony, every sandwich begins with our housemade Schiacciata — a traditional Tuscan flatbread from Florence, Italy. The word schiacciata means “pressed” or “flattened,” referring to the way the dough is gently stretched before baking.

 

Made with simple ingredients—flour, water, yeast, extra virgin olive oil, and salt—Schiacciata is known for its thin, golden crust, airy interior, and satisfying crunch.

While often compared to focaccia, it is lighter, crispier, and designed specifically to hold generous fillings without becoming heavy.

 

Originating in Tuscany centuries ago, Schiacciata was once baked by farmers and village bakers using local olive oil and traditional wood-fired ovens. Some historians trace its roots back to medieval Tuscany, where it was used as a simple test dough to check oven temperatures before baking bread.

 

Today, Schiacciata has become one of Florence’s most iconic foods, celebrated worldwide for its crisp exterior, light texture, and ability to elevate even the simplest sandwich.

 

At Ciao, Tony, we make our Schiacciata in-house because great sandwiches deserve extraordinary bread.