Pizza Day: Discover the history of Greek pizza sold in Juiz de Fora A recipe purchased from a Greek, kept secret by a family from Minas Gerais and served for almost 70 years at the same address. This is the story of the Greek pizza at Bar do Futrica, a classic of bar cuisine in Juiz de Fora, in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais. The formula remains secret, closely guarded by the Vieira family, and has been passed down from generation to generation without ever leaving the bar counter. ? Click here to follow the g1 Zona da Mata channel on WhatsApp On this Pizza Day, celebrated on July 10, g1 tells the story of the delicacy that resisted the transformations of the city center and became a classic of Juiz de Fora gastronomy. Pizza from the Futrica Bar and Restaurant, in Juiz de Fora Sidney Vieira/Disclosure A recipe purchased from a Greek The story began on April 10, 1957. On that day, Geraldo Vieira, from Minas Gerais, a native of Goianá, also in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, known since childhood by the nickname Futrica, moved to Juiz de Fora in search of work and bought a small bar in Galeria Hallack. But the deal came with an unexpected bonus. The former owner was Greek and, in addition to the commercial outlet, he also sold the pizza recipe prepared on site. "My father bought the bar from a Greek and also acquired the pizza formula, which we maintain to this day. It was there that the history of Bar do Futrica began", says Sidney Vieira, 75 years old, Geraldo's son and currently responsible for the establishment. Sidney was born and raised in Juiz de Fora. At the age of six, he was already following the routine at the bar and saw his father, who died in 1977, prepare the pizza that, decades later, still attracts residents and visitors. Bar do Futrica, in Juiz de Fora, formerly Personal Archive The secret fits in an envelope Fame was built through word of mouth. Those who tried it would take a friend and then return with their family. Thus, pizza gained space among the city's most traditional flavors. Over the years, the Hallack Gallery has changed. The Center gained new businesses, food chains arrived in the city and apps transformed the way we order food. At Futrica, however, one tradition remained intact. The recipe is still kept in an envelope and is known by few people. The thin dough is prepared daily in the bar's kitchen and receives a combination of ingredients kept in absolute secrecy. "The recipe is kept in an envelope. I don't pass it on to anyone. I can't hand over the gold, do you agree?", joked Sidney. Among the few people authorized to know the secret is Déia, responsible for producing pizzas for over 40 years. The only confirmed ingredient is cheese. A bar that has stood still in time Greek pizza is sold at Bar do Futrica in Juiz de Fora Social Networks Futrica also preserves another tradition: the atmosphere. The counter is the same and continues to bring together workers, retirees, traders, students and customers who have frequented the place for decades. Some customers arrive even before breakfast. Others appear during work breaks, at lunch time, in the middle of the afternoon or before returning home. At Futrica, there are no timetables for eating pizza. "I open the bar early, the clock doesn't even show 7am, and there's already pizza in the oven," said Sidney. Throughout the day, dozens of people pass by the establishment in search of traditional Greek pizza. Four generations Futrica Bar Team, in Juiz de Fora Personal Archive Futrica continues to be a family business. In the 1970s, when Geraldo began to reduce his work pace, Sidney took over the bar alongside his brother Ademir. Today, he shares his routine with his son Rondinely Vieira, aged 49, his grandson Nycolas Vieira, aged 20, and his daughter-in-law. In 2027, the bar will celebrate seven decades of operation, always at the same address. For Sidney, however, the greatest legacy left by his father goes beyond the recipe. "My father left us the greatest treasure: his name, which was a nickname. We honor that name every day and want to continue honoring it for many years to come." The recipe is kept in an envelope. Tradition, however, is visible to anyone who passes by Galeria Hallack: almost 70 years of history, four generations of the same family and a pizza that has become a symbol of Juiz de Fora's gastronomy. Photograph shows Bar do Futrica, in Juiz de Fora, formerly Personal Archive READ ALSO: 'Massa a Massa' gastronomic competition in Juiz de Fora; meet the winners VIDEOS: see everything about Zona da Mata and Campos das Vertentes