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Pizza, a universally adored dish, has evolved from its humble origins in Italy to become a beloved staple in kitchens and restaurants around the world. What began as a simple flatbread topped with tomatoes and cheese has transformed into an endless array of variations, with different regions adding their unique flair.
TasteAtlas, a renowned online guide for traditional food has compiled a list of some of the worst-rated pizzas from various countries. Some of these pizzas feature strange toppings that challenge the very essence of what pizza is meant to be, leaving many to question whether these creations should even be considered pizzas in the first place.
Deep Dish Pizza, Chicago
Deep dish pizza from Chicago, often criticised as one of the worst-rated pizzas globally, is a heavy, dense dish that some consider more like a casserole than a pizza. Its thick, buttery crust forms a deep bowl, filled with layers of mozzarella, chunky tomato sauce, and a mix of meats or vegetables. The flavours, while rich, can be overwhelming due to the excessive cheese and heavy sauce, leading to a greasy and soggy texture. Critics argue that it lacks the delicate balance and crispness typical for traditional pizza.
Pizza Mimosa, Italy
This pizza features a bizarre combination of canned tuna, mayonnaise, and peas—ingredients that clash with traditional Italian pizza standards. The flavours often feel out of place, as the creamy mayonnaise overwhelms the dish, while the tuna’s strong taste detracts from the fresh, crisp texture of the crust. With its odd mix of ingredients and lack of harmony, pizza mimosa fails to deliver the satisfying, balanced experience that one expects from authentic Italian pizzas.
Sardenara, Italy
Featuring a thin crust topped with tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, it’s simple but can feel too basic for many pizza lovers. However most of the versions include anchovies, but the lack of cheese leaves the dish feeling dry and underwhelming. The raw garlic flavour is overpowering, which many find off-putting. Despite its historical roots in Sardinia, the pizza’s minimalistic toppings often fail to satisfy the original pizza cravings.
Pizza Strips, USA
These flat, rectangular pieces are covered with a thin layer of bland tomato sauce and low-quality cheese, leading to a flavourless experience. The crust, dense and overly chewy, fails to provide a satisfying texture. Without fresh or unique toppings, the pizza becomes more of a carb-heavy snack than a flavourful dish. Critics argue that pizza strips lack creativity, with nothing to elevate the ingredients.
Pizza Cubana, Cuba
Pizza cubana, hailing from Cuba, is often considered one of the worst-rated globally due to its unconventional and unappealing combination of ingredients. Topped with an odd mix of sweet ham, pineapple, and sometimes olives, its flavour profile leaves many unimpressed. The crust is usually thick and doughy, lacking the crispness that pizza lovers crave. The unusual toppings overpower the dish’s natural balance, and the texture is often soggy rather than satisfying.
Calskrove, Sweden
Calskrove, a peculiar Swedish pizza, features an unusually thick, doughy crust that often ends up soggy rather than crispy. Topped with fish like herring and sometimes boiled eggs, it creates an overpowering and bizarre flavour that doesn’t appeal to most. The toppings don't blend well, with the salty fish clashing against the bland egg. The texture is dense, with little crispness to balance the heaviness. While it may be a local speciality, it fails to deliver the light, savoury experience people generally crave from a pizza.
Hawaiian Pizza, Canada
Featuring pineapple, ham, and cheese, it presents a blend of sweet and savoury that many find unsettling. The pineapple’s moisture makes the crust soggy, and its sweetness clashes with the savoury toppings. True enthusiasts dismiss it as a culinary blunder, arguing that fruit, especially pineapple, has no place on a pizza. Despite a loyal following, this unique combination’s texture and flavour balance leave many people rating it poorly.
