Great pizza isn’t limited to New York, Chicago, or Detroit. Any operation, in any market, can build a pizza identity of its own. Whether it's incorporating a classic pizza favorite or bringing new flavors that freshen the experience, the toppings are key to patron satisfaction.
Start with the Classics
There’s a reason pepperoni remains America’s undisputed king of pizza toppings. With a savory punch and a flavor kick, pepperoni defines pizza’s appearance and overall appeal. Better yet, there’s more than one way to pepperoni:
- Lay Flat Pepperoni: The can’t-go-wrong traditional format that delivers a familiar look and bite.
- Cup ’N Char and Cup ’N Crisp Pepperoni: These options have natural casings that are designed to curl up when cooked, creating an irresistible effect on the edges.
- Thick Cut Pepperoni: This variety provides heft, more bite curl, and that popular flavor that keeps patrons coming back.
- Diced Pepperoni: This format is versatile across the menu, excellent on pizza, salad, pasta, appetizers, and more.
Explore Specialty Italian Meats
Pepperoni may lead the pack, but it doesn’t have to do all the work. Consider hard or Genoa salami, capicola, mortadella, or prosciutto, all of which can bring your pizza creations to the next level.
Create the next favorite: Looking for other ways to give your pizza pizzazz? Leverage unexpected proteins to shake things up a bit:
- Smoked Meats: Pulled pork or pulled chicken, smoked sausage, and your choice of sauces can provide patron intrigue.
- Global Proteins: Carnitas, barbacoa, birria, and other global flavors can bring exciting flair from around the world to your corner of town.
- Breakfast Meats: Bacon, ham, and sausage aren’t just for breakfast anymore. Bring these proteins to brunch, lunch, or even late-night pizzas for a dish that transcends dayparts.
Unique Takes from Unique Pizza Towns
New York City, Chicago, and Detroit may have some of the country’s most recognizable pizza styles, but they’re far from the only places putting their own stamp on the pie.
- Colorado: With a massive, braided crust, pizza from the Rockies is hearty, featuring a high density of premium meats. And don’t forget the side of honey for dipping.
- New Jersey: The New Jersey Tomato Pie features cheese and toppings followed by a heavy hand of tomato sauce, resulting in rich, concentrated flavor.
- Seattle: Pizza here focuses on bringing extreme toppings and global flavor fusions to the forefront.
- Nashville: Pizzas are packed with heat, incorporating global peppers, chile honeys, and other spicy condiments.
- Minneapolis/St. Paul: The Twin Cities’ maximalist style features a thin, spicy crust cut into squares with double the toppings — and cheese — of a standard pie.
The Key to the Perfect Slice
What makes the perfect pizza? It’s all about finding the right balance between delicious components.
Dough (The Foundation): Give your dough time to properly ferment and develop flavor. Texture and structure matter, too — it should be strong enough to carry the toppings without weighing down the bite.
Sauce (The Contrast): Quality matters and simplicity wins. Slight acidity in the tomato sauce helps cut through the fat from the cheese and the toppings.
Cheese (The Richness): The cheese can bring creaminess, stretch, structure, even umami — but as popular as it is, restraint is key.
Toppings (The Personality): This is where it all comes to life. Each topping should be intentional, creating a unique, flavorful, and memorable touch that patrons will seek out.
Baking (The Transformation): Even cooking optimizes the dough, cheese, and toppings, making for the ideal finished product.
Finishing (The Final Touch): Whether you choose extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, fresh herbs, hot honey, fresh greens, or something completely novel, make sure your final note elevates the entire bite.
The best pizza towns aren’t built around a single style. They’re built by operations that know what their customers love — and aren’t afraid to give them something new to crave.