Pizza. Just the word makes mouths water! From its humble beginnings in 10th-century Italy to becoming a global sensation raking in billions, pizza has conquered hearts and stomachs worldwide. Especially in the U.S., where pizzerias have been popping up since 1905, chefs love to get creative. Forget pineapple debates; we’re diving into territory way beyond the usual. Ready to explore some truly out-there pizza creations? Let’s slice into the ten weirdest pizza toppings out there.
10 Weird Pizza Toppings That Defy Tradition
10. Banana and Cheese
Love sweet and savory? Then Brazil has a pizza for you! Several chains offer a popular combo: banana and cheese. Typically, it’s standard mozzarella topped with banana slices. Some places even spice it up with chocolate cream and cinnamon for extra stickiness and flavor. It might sound odd, but combining dessert and dinner certainly saves time!
9. Prawns, Trout, Caviar, Oh My!
Steveston Pizza Co in Richmond, British Columbia, aims to make pizza a true culinary experience. Their $850 See Nay pizza does just that! This 12-inch pie isn’t for sharing. It features tiger prawns, smoked steelhead trout, lobster ratatouille, Russian caviar, and luxurious Italian white truffles (which cost a fortune!). Don’t worry, you can’t order this pricey pie on a whim; it requires a day’s notice. While most pizza is budget-friendly, this one definitely stretches the wallet.
8. Chili Cheese Fritos
Milwaukee might be known for beer, but Ian’s Pizza by the Slice offers a unique claim to fame: the Chili Cheese Frito pizza. Imagine a pizza base smothered in beef chili, then topped with onions, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and crunchy Fritos. It sounds like the perfect post-party snack! America loves combining unrelated dishes, and this pizza proves it can work. Just grab extra napkins!
7. Call of the Wild (Reindeer Sausage)
Alaska is vast, wild, and home to unique tastes. Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria in Anchorage captures this spirit with their ‘Call of the Wild’ pizza. This hearty pie might seem strange to outsiders, but it’s packed with flavor: bacon, steak, portobello and crimini mushrooms, garlic cream sauce, and yes, reindeer sausage. While reindeer is common meat up north, it definitely ranks as an unusual pizza topping for most!
6. Macaroni and Cheese
Pizzanista! in Los Angeles, founded by a pro skateboarder, prides itself on traditional, sourdough pizza crust. However, on Sundays, they serve something decidedly non-traditional: Macaroni and Cheese pizza. While using quality ingredients, putting a classic pasta dish *on* a pizza might make Italian grandmothers gasp. It seems like a fusion step too far for purists, but hey, people love it!
5. Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli
BAR in New Haven, Connecticut, is a nightclub with beer, dancing, and… pizza ovens! One of their unique offerings is the Mashed Potato and Bacon Pie. The idea might be that potatoes soak up alcohol, but as a topping? It’s questionable for some. They also offer a breakfast pizza and, perhaps the most baffling, a chicken and broccoli pizza. Broccoli on pizza? That’s a choice!
4. Cheese ‘n’ Chickpeas (Fainá)
Argentina has strong Italian roots, reflected in its cuisine. Fainá, a thin chickpea pancake from Genoa, is popular there. At Güerrin in Buenos Aires, they take it a step further by putting fainá *on* pizza! You can get a slice on top or cover the whole pizza. Fans claim the creamy pancake complements the tomato sauce and cheese. With over 600 portions sold daily, it’s clearly a hit.
3. Lemon Yogurt and Mango Chutney (Tandoori Pizza)
Pizza by Elizabeth in Greenville, Delaware, offers refined dining, including a Tandoori pizza. This Indian-inspired pie uses pizza dough like naan bread, topped with chicken marinated in yogurt and spices like cumin and coriander. To push the boundaries further, they serve it with lemon tahini yogurt and mango chutney. They also experiment with pesto, rosemary onion, and green olive sauces. Definitely not your average slice!
2. Breakfast in Chicago (Eggs, Chorizo, Fries)
Dimo’s Pizza in Chicago serves the ‘Breakfast of Champions’ pizza literally. It’s topped with scrambled eggs, chorizo, and french fries on a white sauce base, finished with green onions and spicy mayo. While it sounds like a hearty breakfast, putting it all on a pizza crust is certainly innovative. In a city full of great pizza, Dimo’s definitely stands out with creations like this.
1. Oh, My Omaha (Pistachios, Shrimp, Plum Sauce)
The Pitch Pizzeria in Omaha, Nebraska, prides itself on weekly culinary wonders. Sometimes, this quest for innovation leads to truly bizarre combinations. One special featured pistachios, shrimp, and plum sauce on a pizza. Other unusual ingredients include marsala fig sauce, pears, and truffle oil. Are these genius combos or just weird for weirdness’ sake? It’s a long way from simple Margherita, that’s for sure!
Conclusion
Wow, what a wild ride through the world of pizza toppings! From sweet bananas in Brazil to pricey caviar in Canada and even reindeer in Alaska, it’s clear that chefs aren’t afraid to push the boundaries. While some combinations might sound strange, they show incredible creativity and a willingness to experiment. Whether you’re adventurous enough to try mashed potatoes or chickpeas on your next slice, or prefer to stick to the classics, there’s no denying pizza is a canvas for culinary art – sometimes bizarre, but always interesting!
What’s the weirdest pizza topping you’ve ever encountered or dared to try? Share your experiences in the comments below!
