Any Way You Slice It: 50+ Pizza Ideas

Pizza may be the ultimate have-it-your-way food, but when chefs choose the toppings, the results are often unexpected and inspiring.

Reported by Allison Perlik, Senior Editor -- Restaurants & Institutions, August 1, 2009

A triple-pepperoni pizza from Chicago’s La Madia

Despite its Italian roots, pizza is a quintessential American favorite. According to R&I’s most recent Menu Census, 50% of noncommercial operators and 31% of commercial operators menu thin-crust pizza, and 18% of all operators have a pan or deep-dish pie on the menu. Moreover, pizza is a go-to meal for varied groups of diners—from young children to college students to fine-dining fans.

The fact that pizza is so customizable is not only appealing to customers (who now can often choose their style of crust in addition to toppings at chains across the country). Chefs also view pizza as the perfect canvas for showcasing intriguing flavor combinations or seasonal ingredients or for simply having some fun (potato-chip pizza, anyone?).

Whether offered as an entrée or as a shareable appetizer at the bar, pizza can provide a price point for every budget. And there is inspiration to be found across every foodservice segment, as is evident by this collection of distinct pizzas from a range of operations across the country. 

Contact writer at aperlik@reedbusiness.com

Taleggio and 3-Hour Roasted Grapes $9.00La Madia, ChicagoOn Top: Taleggio cheese, roasted grapes, dried oreganoBuzz: This signature pie from Chef-owner Jonathan Fox delivers a classically elegant pairing—cheese and grapes—in an unconventional format.

Meatball Marvel Pizza $19.99Round Table Pizza, multiple locationsOn Top: Oven-roasted meatballs, seven cheeses, caramelized onions, garlic, fire-roasted tomatoesBuzz: The Concord, Calif.-based chain specially created the wraparound crust to support the hefty slices of this limited-time offering.

Firehouse Pizza $15.99Shakey’s, multiple locationsOn Top: Spicy sliced sausage, Italian-style sausage, pepperoni, red onions, diced tomatoes, fresh basilBuzz: This thin-crust pizza from the 50-plus-unit chain’s Gourmet menu has been a big hit with meat lovers.

Margharita $10.00*Vivace, Raleigh, N.C.On Top: Tomato sauce, fresh and shredded mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, basilBuzz: This contemporary Italian concept, owned by Urban Food Group, offers a classic rendering of the simple Neapolitan-style pizza. * 10-inch pizza

Gamberetti Pizza $13.00Cucina Colore, DenverOn Top: Shrimp, pancetta, marinated San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, fontina and mozzarella cheesesBuzz: The Gamberetti—one of a handful of wood-fired pizzas on the menu at this lively, modern-Italian restaurant—has no sauce.

Shrimp & Chorizo $16.00Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, MiamiOn Top: Shrimp, thin-sliced Spanish chorizo, escarole, toasted garlic, Manchego cheeseBuzz: Chef Michael Schwartz’s bistro in Miami’s Design District was named one of the country’s top 10 new places last year by The New York Times.

La Mexicana $6.00Pizza Patrón, multiple locationsOn Top: Chorizo, ground beef, onions, bell peppers and jalapeñosBuzz: In January, the Dallas-based Latin-influenced pizza chain introduced a cost-conscious 12-inch option as an alternative to its 15-inch signature pies.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza $13.95Rocco’s Cafe & Pizzeria, ChicagoOn Top: Chicken, spinach, mushrooms, mozzarella, Alfredo sauce, grated Romano cheeseBuzz: The spinach and mushrooms are sautéed in butter and garlic before being placed on the pizza.

Potato Chip Pizza $15.00David Burke at Bloomingdale’s, New York CityOn Top: House-made potato chips, mozzarella, pizza sauce, basil leaves, heirloom tomato confitBuzz: In David Burke’s typical whimsical style, thin potato chips tossed with chili flakes and Parmesan cheese give this pizza an unexpected crunch.

Thea $15.00Joey’s Italian Café, MiamiOn Top: Gorgonzola, walnuts, arugula, truffle oilBuzz: Co-owners Joey Goldman and wife Thea both have pizzas bearing their names on the menu of this 8-month-old “Italian cafe.” His “Joey” features tuna, spicy salame, Gorgonzola, capers and spinach.

Verde Pizza $11.00Bar Rosso Restaurant & Vinoteca, Aventura, Fla.On Top: Zucchini, pesto, cauliflower, roasted pumpkin, broccoli rabe, ricotta salataBuzz: As its name suggests, this 10-inch lunch pizza showcases seasonal green vegetables from local farmers.

Hot Italian Sausage & Herb Pizza $11.00Taste Restaurant at the Sam, SeattleOn Top: Sliced hot Italian sausage, arugula, cheese curds, fontina cheese, fresh rosemaryBuzz: The restaurant focuses on sustainability (89% of food purchases are local); the sausage comes from a nearby family-owned organic farm.

Pizza with Smoked Salmon $24.00Spago, multiple locationsOn Top: Smoked salmon, sweet onions, dill cream, black caviar, golden caviar, red onion, chivesBuzz: The story goes, Wolfgang Puck created this signature pie by accident at his Beverly Hills flagship in 1982. Having run out of brioche for a dish of smoked salmon, Puck improvised with pizza dough.

Guanciale, Soft Egg and Arugula: Get the recipe $15.00Serious Pie, SeattleOn Top: Guanciale slices, eggs, arugula, freshly squeezed lemon juiceBuzz: When the pizza is halfway done, a cook cracks an egg in the center and then returns the pizza to the oven. Bacon and arugula are added at the end.

Pizza with Ramps and Morels $5.00one sixtyblue, ChicagoOn Top: Ramps, morels, tomato sauce and mozzarellaBuzz: As part of a Play Dough promotion, every Friday night chef Michael McDonald serves up wood-fired pizzas for $5 at the bar of this restaurant owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan.

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epperoni and Green Pepper $11.99Hungry Howie’s Pizza, multiple locationsOn Top: Pepperoni and green peppersBuzz Pizza is shown here on a sesame crust, but customers at the Madison Heights, Mich.-based chain can choose from seven other flavored crusts, such as Cajun, Ranch or Garlic Herb.

Sausage, Peppers and Oregano $14.00Nove Italiano, Las VegasOn Top: House-made hot and sweet sausage, peppers, oregano, bufala mozzarella and fontina cheesesBuzz: Dramatic views and Swarovski- crystal chandeliers elevate sausage pizza to fine cuisine at this restaurant atop the Palms Casino Resort. At the bar, a similar version sells for $9.00.

Chicken Bacon Artichoke deLITE $7.99Papa Murphy’s Take 'N’ Bake Pizza, multiple locationsOn Top: Creamy garlic sauce, mozzarella, bacon, grilled chicken, fresh spinach, marinated artichoke hearts, shredded Parmesan, zesty herbsBuzz: The deLITE pizzas have half the carbs and calories.

Chicken Spinach Mozzarella $13.09Donatos, multiple locationsOn Top: Fresh mozzarella, roasted chicken, roasted garlic, Roma tomatoes, basil, fresh spinachBuzz: One of three specialty pies on the Columbus, Ohio-based chain’s menu that features fresh mozzarella.

Sweet Pea and Guanciale Pizza $14.00Motorino, New York CityOn Top: Sweet peas, guanciale, fior di latte, garlicBuzz: Chef Mathieu Palombino’s authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas use house-made mozzarella and have won the praise of Mario Batali.

Mushroom Flatbread $8.00Continental, PhiladelphiaOn Top: Portobello and shiitake mushrooms, caramelized shallots, tetilla cheese, green onions, chivesBuzz: New to the tapas-focused menu at Stephen Starr’s energetic nightspot, the oblong flatbreads are topped with tetilla, a Spanish cheese made in Galicia from cow’s milk.

Cheeseless Hoisin Pork and Vegetable Pizza $2.50*University of San Francisco (Bon Appétit)On Top: Braised pork, hoisin-barbecue sauce, shredded carrots, cilantro, pickled cucumberBuzz: Created for Low Carbon Diet Day (cheese is considered a high-carbon food), this was a hit with students. *Price is per slice

Neapolitan Thin Crust Pizza $4.79*Aramark, PhiladelphiaOn Top: Sun-dried tomatoes, roasted mushrooms, roasted garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh basilBuzz: The thin-crust flatbread was developed for the contractor’s business clients, but is available across all the segments it serves. *10 inches

Pizza Rustica Rapini Florets $10.00ZYLO, Hoboken, N.J.On Top: Blanched rapini, black olives, confit tomatoes, ricotta salata, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Tuscan olive oilBuzz: Chef Tory Unruh is known for his Pizza Rustica, offered for $5 on Fridays during a special summerlong promotion. His Al Prosciutto version has prosciutto, shaved fontina, red-onion marmellata and baby arugula.

Fagiolara $13.00Cucina, Woodstock, N.Y.On Top: White beans, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbsBuzz: All eyes are on this new Italian concept by Lois Freedman, longtime partner of Jean-Georges Management, and renowned chef Gianni Scappin, who is currently teaching at The Culinary Institute of America.

Potato Breakfast Pizza $11.00Fritti, AtlantaOn Top: Roasted potato, fresh parsley, rosemary, mozzarella, eggs (cooked sunny-side up as pizza bakes)Buzz: Mimosas or Bloody Marys are the perfect accompaniment to this fresh-from-the-wood-fire-oven pizza on the restaurant’s Sunday brunch menu.

Milanesa Pizza $14.00Pizzeria Ortica, Costa Mesa, Calif.On Top: Asparagus, fried egg, fontina, Parmigiano-Reggiano, mascarpone, mozzarella, garlic, thyme, sageBuzz: Chef Steve Samson shares his pizza-making secrets with customers during Saturday Cooking Classes, held the first and third weekend of every month.

Filomena $13.00Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, SeattleOn Top: Extra-virgin olive oil, oregano, slivered garlic, roasted asparagus, roasted onions, rosemary ham, fresh mozzarella, Grana PadanoBuzz: This chain (with four local units) is a Vera Pizza Napoletana (VPN) certified pizzeria.

Spa Pizza $8.00Maxwell’s at the Club, ChicagoOn Top: Sautéed spinach, sautéed mushrooms (shiitake, cremini and oyster), red onion, tomato sauce, low-fat mozzarellaBuzz: Part-skim cheese helps keep this pizza under 400 calories, fitting for a restaurant located inside a fitness facility.

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ig and Prosciutto Pizza $11.00*kil@wat at the InterContinental, MilwaukeeOn Top: Shaved fennel, fresh fig, white anchovies, goat cheese, red onion, roasted garlic, watercressBuzz: The sweet flavors of fennel and figs and peppery watercress are a surprising partner for goat cheese in this contemporary, Mediterranean-inspired pizza. *8 inches

Grilled Balsamic Radicchio and Avocado Flatbread $6.00Morrison Healthcare Food Services, AtlantaOn Top: Roasted garlic-basil pesto, radicchio, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, avocado, mozzarella, ancho-chile sauce (drizzled)Buzz: The pizza is part of the company’s Flavors 450 menu, with more than 60 rotating items under 450 calories.

Chicken Caesar and Parmesan $9.75Sauce, multiple locationsOn Top: Mozzarella and fontina cheeses, romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, shredded and grated Parmesan cheeseBuzz: The salad is prepared separately then placed on top of the cooked crust, which is blanketed with melted cheese.

Numero Uno Pizza$17.99Uno Chicago Grill, multiple locationsOn Top: Sausage, pepperoni, onions, peppers, mushrooms, chunky tomato sauce, mozzarella, grated RomanoBuzz: Ike Sewell, founder of Chicago’s original Pizzeria Uno, is credited with inventing deep-dish pizza. Also available as an individual portion for $10.49.

Mango Chicken Pizza $7.99*Pandini’s, multiple locationsOn Top: Roasted chicken, fresh mango chutney, mozzarella, golden curry sauceBuzz: Sodexo’s retail restaurant development group, Retail Brand Group Inc. operates this upscale pizza concept which opened a second location in Germantown, Md., this past July. *10 inches

Carchofas Pizza $16.00Nebo, BostonOn Top: Ricotta, scamorza cheese, artichokes, caramelized onions, olive oilBuzz: Similar to mozzarella, scamorza—a firm, slightly salty cheese with a mild, nutty flavor—is the star of this white pizza.

BBQ Chicken Pizza $18.00Pizza Fusion, multiple locationsOn Top: Free-range chicken, barbecue sauce, roasted red onion, fresh garlic, basil, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheesesBuzz: The eco-friendly Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based chain with an all-organic menu delivers its signature 18-by-9-inch oval pizzas in hybrid vehicles.

Hawaiian Chicken Pizza $12.99Marco’s Pizza, multiple locationsOn Top: Ham, chicken, bacon, pineapple, three-cheese blendBuzz: The Toledo, Ohio-based chain uses a proprietary mix of cheeses and offers its pizzas on classic or thin crust, as well as deep dish in some locations.

Cheeseburger Pizza $12.99California Pizza Kitchen, multiple locationsOn Top: Ground beef, caramelized sweet onions, mozzarella and American cheeses, Roma tomatoes, shredded lettuce tossed in CPK’s secret sauceBuzz: This whimsical pie is one of five new pizzas to join the menu of 35.

Alsatian Pizza $9.00The Smith, New York CityOn Top: Bacon, caramelized onions, crème fraîcheBuzz: The rustic flatbreads of northeastern France inspired this appetizer pizza at the trendy East Village neighborhood joint. Crème fraîche stands in for cheese.

Loaded Baked Potato Pizza $6.99Stevi B’s, multiple locationsOn Top: Creamy ranch sauce, baked-potato slices, crispy bacon, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheesesBuzz: Baked Potato is one of the most-popular varieties at this Marietta, Ga.-based pizza-buffet chain.

Pear and Gorgonzola Rustica $8.95zpizza, multiple locationsOn Top: Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, pears, fresh thymeBuzz: The free-form pizza is part of the fast-growing Irvine, Calif.-based chain’s new Rustica line. Guests who want to build their own pies can choose from soy cheese, truffle oil, Thai peanut sauce and roasted yams among other unique ingredients.

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alt Cod, Spring Onion and Black Olive Pizza $12.00Café Castagna, Portland, Ore.On Top: Brandade, garlic-infused olive oil, sliced torpedo onions, Italian parsley, cured olivesBuzz: Salt cod is made into brandade (a purée with potato) and dollops of it are placed across the pizza, which is served with lemon wedges.

Philly Cheese Steak Pizza $10.99Domino’s Pizza, multiple locationsOn Top: Steak, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, provolone and American cheeses (on provolone crust)Buzz: Domino’s introduced this pizza earlier this year as part of its American Legends line; other examples include Memphis BBQ Chicken and Honolulu Hawaiian.

Pizza Cubana $12.00Yerba Buena, New York CityOn Top: Berkshire ham, pulled suckling pig, Swiss cheese, pickles, coffee-barbecue sauce, mustard-chipotle sauce, chives, flour-tortilla crustBuzz: Executive chef Julian Medina puts a creative spin on Latin cuisine with his interpretation of the Cuban sandwich as pizza.

Macaroni and Cheese Pizza $4.99CiCi’s Pizza, multiple locationsOn Top: Cavatappi pasta, signature cheese sauce, mozzarellaBuzz: Unexpected yet familiar, the creamy cheese and curly pasta topping this pie make it a favorite with kids and teenagers in particular.

Crumbled Fennel Sausage, Caramelized Onions, Crushed Chile $10.00The Lazy Goat, Greenville, S.C.On Top: Fennel sausage, caramelized onions, crushed chile, olive oil, fontina cheeseBuzz: In addition to fennel, the house-made pork sausage featured on this pizza is seasoned with cumin and crushed red pepper.

Rosso’s Loaded Pizza $25.00*Rosso’s pizzeria (USC Hospitality), Los AngelesOn Top: Mozzarella, pepperoni, sweet peppers, onions, sausage, mushroomsBuzz: USC Hospitality operates 32 dining concepts at the University of Southern California, plus several off-campus concepts such as this one on the college’s Restaurant Row. *18 inches (or $3 per slice)

White Pizza $N/AVirginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.On Top: Olive oil, garlic, oregano, feta, spinach, mozzarella-provolone blend, tomatoes, Spanish artichoke hearts, sliced black olivesBuzz: The pizza is offered on whole-wheat crust at Olives, a vegetarian and vegan shop within all-you-care-to-eat dining facility, D2.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza $15.54*American Fork Hospital, American Fork, Utah (Intermountain Healthcare)On Top: Chicken breast, fresh mushrooms, red onions, black olives, fresh spinach, garlic, grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, Alfredo sauceBuzz: The hospital’s specialty pizzas are available by the slice for $2.59. *14 inches

Moroccan Eggplant and Pine Nut Pizza $5.49*Sodexo Corporate Services, Gaithersburg, Md.On Top: Grilled eggplant, fire-roasted red peppers, feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, fresh oreganoBuzz: The foodservice contractor offers these individual pizzas to its business-and-industry accounts. *8 inches; price varies