The most outrageous pizza joint in every state
loveFOOD
22 February 2018
America's wackiest pizza spots
America is crazy about pizza and where you'll find some of the world's wackiest pies. From ice cream and caviar-topped creations to weird and wonderful locations, these are the most outrageous pizza joints in the States.
Alabama: Post Office Pies
Location is the real draw here. This pizza place in Avondale, Birmingham's hippest neighbourhood, is housed in a former historic post office. The interior retains an industrial feel and the menu includes an unusual pesto-based pie. Their "Wake N Bake" breakfast pizza with smoked bacon, fried egg and mornay sauce really delivers (sorry).
Alaska: Moose's Tooth
Crisps on a pizza? Why not. The specials at Moose's Tooth in Anchorage include a crunchy frito-topped pie, finished off with cheddar and grilled Italian sausage. The staple menu also boasts innovative toppings like reindeer sausage and apricot sauce.
Arizona: Organ Stop Pizza
The pies at Organ Stop Pizza are tasty but they're not what attracts the crowds. This unusual spot in the city of Mesa is home to the Mighty Wurlitzer, a huge pipe organ that's allegedly the largest in the world. Pew-like tables are arranged either side of the instrument and professional musicians entertain diners. The pizza menu is more traditional with toppings like Hawaiian and pepperoni.
Arkansas: The Rail – A Pizza Company
There are no holds barred when it comes to toppings at this Arkansas joint. Located in downtown Rogers, The Rail serves speciality pies like The Cheeseburger, with chopped hamburger and pickles, and The Alfred, with alfredo sauce and Italian sausage. A favourite is the Thai Peanut pizza: a peanut-sauce base with Thai-style chicken, crunchy cabbage and sriracha. The nacho-cheese pie (pictured), topped with corn chips and a swirl of sour cream, is worth trying too.
California: Abbot's Pizza Company
It doesn't come much more Californian than this. Order Abbot's signature salad pizza and you'll get a crispy base topped with a heap of leafy greens doused in a lemon and olive oil dressing, with diced tomato and avocado. They also swap the classic four-cheese pizza for a five-onion pie – an olive pesto sauce base with leeks, shallots, scallions, and red and brown onions.
Colorado: Beau Jo's
As well as the table condiment of choice at this small Colorado chain, honey is baked into the pizza crust and drizzled over the base. Beau Jo's served their first honey-laced pie in Idaho Springs and have since opened branches across the state. Their signature cranberry-walnut salad is a great side option.
Connecticut: BAR
This trendy pizza joint and nightclub is a favourite spot for New Haven's hippest locals. Come for brunch and enjoy crispy pizza bases topped with poached eggs, crackling bacon and a drizzle of hollandaise sauce. Once the evening rolls around, innovative toppings include spaghetti and meatballs or meatloaf. Stay until the early hours for drinks and dancing.
Delaware: The Wood Fired Pizza Shop
This artisan pizza joint turns heads with its creative topping combinations. The menu runs from breakfast pizzas to dessert pizzas: start the day with a French Toast Pizza and finish it with one smothered in Nutella and seasonal fruit. Don't miss the specials menu which has included pies like Lobsta Love: a thin base topped with chunks of lobster in a parmesan and cream sauce.
Florida: Lucali
This trendy Miami beach joint serves delicious savoury pizza but dessert is where Lucali rules. The Nutella Pie (pictured) is chocolate heaven – a thin base laden with the chocolate hazelnut spread, sprinkled with sugar and scattered with mint leaves. It comes in calzone form too.
Georgia: Mellow Mushroom
A meal at this small chain, which first opened its doors in Atlanta, Georgia in 1974, will leave you feeling trippy. Bright modern art adorns the walls and curious ingredients like diced apple, cucumber and candied pecans top the pizzas.
Hawaii: Shokudo
Shokudo in Honolulu focuses on Japanese food but among the sushi and sashimi on its menu, you'll find its outrageous sushi-pizza combo. Baked sushi rice forms the base and it's topped with scallops, crab meat, salmon, and pickled jalapeños.
Idaho: The Flying Pie Pizzaria
This Idaho pizzeria is home to one of America's hottest pizzas. Every August, the folks at Flying Pie harvest habanero peppers from southern Mexico and load them onto pizzas ready for a fiery feast. The pizzas come in three heat levels: six, 12 and 18 peppers. Waiters are trained prepare the pizzas safely and look after diners who dare to try them.
Illinois: Dimo's
Dimo's is the place for the ultimate fast food blow-out. This Chicago joint puts fries, beer-battered jalapeños, macaroni cheese, and even chicken and waffles on its pizzas. If you're craving something sweet, try the S'mores pie, covered with crumbled graham crackers, mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce.
Indiana: The Rolling Stonebaker
Indiana's best wood-fired pizza is served on wheels. The Rolling Stonebaker has a bricks-and-mortar location in downtown Valparaiso but the roving red restaurant is the one that gets people talking. It's not all about appearances though. Come for the the scarlet truck and stay for creative toppings like wood-roasted potatoes, purple slaw and brussels sprouts.
Iowa: Happy Joe’s Pizza
Taco pizza. Omelette pizza. Nacho pizza. Happy Joe's claims to be the tastiest in the midwest and doesn't shy away from unconventional toppings. The BLT pizza is one of the most unusual: hickory smoked bacon with mozzarella, provolone and cheddar cheeses, as well as lettuce, tomato and a generous helping of mayo. The range of Mexican-inspired pizzas are crowd-pleasers too.
Kansas: Wichita Brewing Co. & Pizzeria
Wichita Brewing Co. isn't just about beer, it does great pizza too. The grilled cheese pizza is a firm favourite. This pie has not one but two bases, with a healthy helping of American cheese sandwiched between the two. Fancy something sweet? The Kokomo Beach dessert pizza is topped with raspberry and chocolate sauce and with cinnamon crumble layered over a cream cheese base.
Kentucky: Garage Bar
Garage Bar's ever-changing menu takes the best of the season's bounty and make some tasty surprises. Bison sausage, apple butter, bourbon cherries and brussels sprouts are some of the more innovative additions.
Louisiana: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen
Come here for a gourmet pizza experience. Seafood specials have included pies finished with smoked salmon and caviar (yes, caviar), butterfly shrimps and even mussels. Unsurprisingly it's not easy on the pocket, so best saved for a special occasion.
Maine: Cornerstone
Maine is famous world-over for its lobster so it's unsurprising that some more adventurous pizza joints are putting it on their pies. Cornerstone is one of those places. The Ogunquit venue is described as where the "ocean meets the pie", and its seasonal summer menu always includes a lobster pizza. A Nebraska branch is opening soon.
Maryland: Matthew's Pizza
Crab meat takes a starring role at this Maryland pizzeria. The crab pie at Matthew's Pizza in Baltimore is topped with flakes of backfin crab meat and covered with mozzarella and caramelised onions. Pizza topped with shrimp in a Thai chilli sauce is another Matthew's favourite.
Massachusetts: All Star Pizza Bar
The gaudy sign and simple interior of this Boston joint give little hint of the luxe pizzas served up here – duck confit with blue cheese and pulled pork with mango are a couple of the extravagant toppings you can opt for. They make top vegan pies too like jerk-roasted jackfruit with almond milk béchamel.
Michigan: Pop + Offworld
Ever wondered what a curry-pizza combo might look like? Head to this Detroit spot to find out. Their Coco Curry pizza is topped with yellow curry sauce, crispy chickpeas, carrots and coriander sauce. Or opt for the Piggy Slaws pie layered with pulled pork, coleslaw and barbecue-flavoured crisps. The space is unique too – it's also a retro games arcade.
Minnesota: Galactic Pizza
Dedicated to your favourite superheroes, Galactic Pizza offers "planet-serving pizza". Specialities include pizza alla vodka, with a creamy tomato vodka sauce and mushrooms, and the namesake Galactic with hemp pesto sauce and mozzarella. Waiters dress in superhero costumes and the venue also hosts open-mic nights, stand-up comedy shows and poetry readings.
Mississippi: Tom’s Extreme Pizzeria
Tom's Extreme Pizzeria is suitably named. The vast menu here has a pizza dedicated to almost every state. The Texan Galveston pie is topped with crispy crawfish tails, grilled shrimp and lump blue crab while the home state Mississippi Meat Lovers pizza comes with pepperoni, meatballs, bacon, ham, hamburger and Italian sausage.
Missouri: Pi Pizzeria
The folks at Pi Pizzeria in St. Louis have created a Syrian Street Shawarma pie which means you never have to choose between a kebab and pizza again. It's topped with grilled chicken, hummus, yogurt dressing and heaps of crunchy lettuce. Their cornmeal crust deep-dish pizzas are also a treat, especially with decadent toppings like braised pork shoulder.
Montana: Moose’s Saloon
It's all about location at this Kalispell pizzeria, a stone's throw from Glacier National Park. Rustic and relaxed, Moose's looks like an old saloon bar, all swinging wooden doors, mounted stags' heads and rust-red bar stools. The pizza is great too – Moose's Saloon has been doling out traditional pies for more than 60 years.
Nebraska: Loop Brewing Company
Loop's weekly "stupid pizza" is as wacky as it sounds. The toppings on this changing special have included chicken feet, mashed potato, gravy, fruit loops, gummy worms and many more. They've also created a warming pizza pot pie with bacon, macaroni and a medley of cheeses.
Nevada: Evel Pie
This unique joint in Las Vegas is dedicated to American stunt icon Evel Knievel. Its mantra in lights above the bar is "live hard, ride fast, eat pizza". The menu features a pie with rattlesnake sausage and the venue is papered with photos of its namesake lining the walls.
New Hampshire: Pig Tale
Unsurprisingly, pork is the staple ingredient at this fancy but friendly New Hampshire joint. Opt for classic prosciutto or go the whole hog and pile your pizza high with pork shoulder, bacon and sausage. Gourmet toppings like poached pears, cranberry preserve and duck confit also feature on this lavish menu.
New Jersey: Tony Boloney's
Tony's Boloney's mighty taco pizza is something to behold. Soft-shell tacos heaped with brisket and Mexican cheese wrap round a guacamole and sour cream centre. Their latest creation, the bagel pizza, comes topped with vodka sauce, smoked pepperoni and mozzarella.
New Mexico: Rooftop Pizzeria
This sleek pizzeria offers great views over downtown Santa Fe and an equally stunning menu. Try the lobster, shrimp and bacon pie or the smoked duck with four cheeses. There are great options for vegetarians too like the artichoke, roast garlic, spinach and goat's cheese pizza.
Industry Kitchen, New York
The 24K pizza from New York City's Industry Kitchen is as luxe as they come. It's topped with 24-carat gold flakes, truffle, foie gras, stilton and caviar. It will set you back $2000 and you'll need to order it at least 48 hours in advance. If you're feeling slightly less flush, opt for another signature pie like the Pop Candy Land pizza with a rainbow crust, cream cheese frosting and cotton candy.
North Carolina: Buffalo Mercantile
This humble joint really is out in the sticks but it's worth the trip. The general store opened back in 1897 and now it serves pizza and other food too. Feast on hearty calzones and traditional pizzas (one comes topped with Philly cheesesteak) before taking in the bucolic surrounds.
North Dakota: Blackbird Woodfire
"Prairie made. Hell fired" is the motto of this pizzeria in Fargo. The pizzas are created with local produce and wood-fired. Sausage and apple, and roasted grapes and fresh rosemary are a couple of winning combinations. Ever tried a full breakfast on a pizza? The Lumberjack is topped with crispy bacon, maple syrup and a sunny-side-up egg.
Ohio: Angelo’s Pizzeria
This pizzeria has a special talent for putting entire meals on its pies. Whether you're craving baked potato, Philly cheesesteak, chicken alfredo or meatballs, you can find it on Angelo's pizzas. The Lakewood-based joint also has a seafood feast pie with lobster cream sauce, shrimp and crab meat.
Oklahoma: Ti Amo
This Tulsa restaurant pairs two beloved American classics: deep pan pizza and creamy mac and cheese, pepperoni, spinach and mozzarella. Beyond this, the menu is fairly tame, but signature ingredients like a special house marinara sauce up Ti Amo's gourmet pizza game.
Oregon: Scottie's Pizza Parlour
Scottie's Pizza Parlour in Portland holds the record for the largest amount of cheese on one pie. Their Centouno Formaggio – a 101-cheese pizza includes soft and hard cheeses, and a mozzarella-stuffed crust. Sadly this pizza was only available for one day but their seasonal specials, like "Kale-ing Me Softly" with tomato-vodka sauce, purple kale and fennel sausage, never disappoint.
Pennsylvania: Pizza Brain
This Philly venue is best-known for a collaboration with Little Baby's Ice Cream on a pizza-flavoured ice cream. Beyond that (and its other innovative pies) Pizza Brain is the world's first pizza museum, showcasing pizza-related memorabilia from magazine covers to models. It's a pizza-lover's paradise.
Rhode Island: Fellini Pizza
Come November, Fellini's in Providence puts an entire Thanksgiving dinner on its pizza. The base is smothered in gravy then on goes cheese, turkey, stuffing and mashed potato. It's finished off with a side of cranberry sauce.
South Carolina: Luke's Craft Pizza
This Charleston joint is a one-man show run by chef Luke Davis. He makes 50 hand-kneaded, hand-topped pizzas per night and once they're gone, they're gone. He announces weekly specials on social media: pie toppings have included South Carolina peaches, pears and smoked sea salt.
South Dakota: Thatzza Pizza
Thatzza Pizza is not afraid to load up its pies. You can order a bacon double cheeseburger pizza (with ground hamburger, cheddar, mozzarella and bacon), a spaghetti-topped pizza and a pot-roast pie with shredded roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. You won't leave hungry.
Tennessee: The Main Street Pizza Company
Satisfy your seafood craving at The Main Street Pizza Company in Tennessee. The seafood pie includes crab, clams, shrimp and octopus. However, it's the Thai Pie that's been raking in awards: a coconut sriracha base is topped with chicken, red pepper flakes and apple chutney.
Texas: Big Lou's Pizza
This larger-than-life San Antonio joint creates belly-busting 42-inch pizzas, as well as jumbo calzones. You can pick your own toppings run which include everything from pepperoni to pineapple and a "Super Topping" pizza with every ingredient available.
Utah: Settebello
This Salt Lake City joint, which has several sisters across the States, is one for those with a sweet tooth. The tempting Nutella pie is topped with the chocolate hazelnut spread, banana or strawberries, powdered sugar and flaked almonds.
Vermont: Pizza on Earth
Pizza on Earth is tucked away on an idyllic farm around 12 miles away from the city of Burlington. Open only during the summer months, this rustic joint fires pies in a wood oven and tops them in produce plucked directly from its backyard like courgettes and leeks. Make sure you leave room to try their homemade gelato.
Virginia: Bottoms Up
Virginia loves its oysters – so much so that the state is known as the oyster capital of the East Coast. It's only fitting then, that they've found their way onto a pizza. The Rockafeller pizza at Bottoms Up, Richmond, is topped with smoked oysters, bacon, spinach and parmesan. There's also a tribute to Chesapeake Bay finished with crab meat and sweet onions.
Washington: Pizzeria Pulcinella
Savoury pizzas at this Seattle-based pizzeria are pretty traditional but the dessert Il Segreto Di Pulcinella pie is something special. Espresso and coffee liqueur are spread across pizza dough and baked. Once out of the wood-fired oven, the bubbling base is smothered in chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
West Virginia: Lola's
This unassuming joint in Charleston doles out some of the best, and most creative, pizza in town. In the morning, try a breakfast pizza with steak or bacon (both come with sunny-side-up eggs and scallions). Later in the day, enjoy a fig jam and rosemary pies or spicy shrimp and sausage pie.
Wisconsin: Firenza
Firenza's is taking luxe pizza to new heights and the current special is a real head. The Golden Surf and Turf pie is piled high with filet mignon, lobster, caviar and gold leaf. It costs $500 and the restaurant needs 2 days' notice to whip it up.
Wyoming: Pizza Carrello
This Wyoming joint is best-loved for its fruity pizzas. Concoctions include the Dazzle Berry, topped with a tangy jalapeño-raspberry compote, the blueberry cream calzone and the apple pizza pie, doused in a sweet glaze and sprinkled with sugar and almonds.
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