Pizza. It’s a quick meal that someone else makes, or pulls out of the freezer, or delivers to your door during the game. It’s the go-to meal for large groups or those who are simply bushed from a day of work. But the ingredient lists and geographic origins behind our local pizza options (and the popular thin-crust version, called flatbread) are fascinating. Here are six slices of the heavenly pie available in Maple Grove, along with the inside story of what makes them such a delectable, hands-on feast.
Masterpizza
This one is a vegetarian’s delight: creamy white garlic sauce, spinach, marinated artichoke hearts and asiago combine for a hearty taste with a surprise of savory, tender green vegetable. 10”, $8.65 (with whole-grain crust option). Solos Pizza Café
Margherita Extra
Named after the Queen consort of Italy, this pizza, whose red tomatoes, green basil and white cheese represent the Italian flag, is especially tasty at Punch Pizza. They use mozzarella made from the milk of domestic water buffalo, fresh basil and artisan Mt. Vesuvio tomatoes, grown along the sun-drenched slopes of the volcano Mt. Vesuvius, south of Naples, Italy. Eat a piece of history. $11.50. Punch Pizza
Braised Short Rib and Portabella Flatbread
Granite City starts with a garlic aioli brushed crust, then they add braised beef short ribs. Ribs? On a pizza? But it doesn’t stop there. Next come roasted portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, goat cheese and fresh arugula. To bind them all? Truffle oil. $13.95. Granite City Food & Brewery
Italian Sausage and Arugula Pizza
Not every pizza calls for tomato. Bucca delivers a white pizza with spicy Italian sausage, mozzarella, provolone and garlic that keeps the monotone theme at the forefront. They top it with arugula and balsamic glaze for a bit of color and complex flavor. Small serves 2-3, $18.99 (available for a limited time). Buca di Beppo
Chicken Chile Verde
It’s new this season at Pieology: a Southwestern influence on pizza. Their creation includes olive oil, green enchilada sauce, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, diced mild green chilies, fresh cilantro, red onion and chicken. It’s arranged on a house-made white thin crust and topped with a green sour cream after it bakes. Of course, Pieology is all about the freedom to choose; you may define Southwestern in a different way, so you can subtract or add ingredients to your taste buds’ desire. Throw on some corn or tropical pineapple, or simply trade out the red peppers for green. It’s up to you. 11.5”, $9.06. Pieology
Pork’n Kraut
It’s a familiar combination with an unfamiliar application: A German specialty with Canadian meat plopped onto an Italian base. Broadway uses Canadian bacon, crisp bacon, sauerkraut and onion topped with mozzarella and a touch of cheddar. 10”, $12.99 (gluten-free crust available). Broadway Pizza
