Grab A Taste Of Ireland By Ordering This 4-Topping Papa Johns Combination

Each city in Ireland has a certain fast food joint that tends to prove more popular than the others. When I was in college in Galway, we had Supermac's and its bustling late-night pie entity Papa Johns. Papa Johns was indeed founded in the U.S., but the Irish franchise rights are held by a Galway businessman. The menu is different, the ingredients are more regulated, and because Papa Johns is usually positioned right next to a Supermac's (or "Smacs," as we like to call it), you can cross order and get local favorites like curry chips with your pizza. You can't really do that in America, but there are some items you can recreate easily across the pond.

One of the most popular Papa Johns orders in Ireland is the Manhattan: A pizza with pepperoni, ham, bacon and mushrooms. There is no point trying to figure out exactly how the pizza got its name, though it's likely a nod to New York City's deli culture. American chains tend to go over the top with stereotypical red, white, and blue-themed marketing in Ireland. Either way, the Manhattan has become a beloved staple of late-night students and snackers alike. The savory meats are perfect for when you're craving something salty and the mushrooms add a pop of umami that makes the pizza feel slightly more elevated. Note the "slightly" — there's a time and a place for Papa Johns and it's not when you want a light and fresh Neapolitan pizza.

To recreate the Manhattan, simply customize your pie by adding the toppings to a plain cheese pizza. The ham used in Ireland is light and thinly sliced. It's typically cut from the hind leg of the pig, giving it a very tender texture. Papa Johns doesn't offer the same kind of ham on the menu in the U.S., but you can add Canadian bacon, which is quite similar. It comes from the loin so it's a little leaner, but it's still delicious.

If you add Canadian bacon, mushrooms, regular bacon, and pepperoni to a small, customized Papa Johns pizza in the U.S., the cost of a large pie should come out to about $19, depending on location. Of course, you could always just add the extra toppings to a pepperoni pizza for about the same price. If you're curious, this is exactly how far $20 will take you at Papa Johns.

There are some other unique pizzas you can get from the chain Ireland, such as the American Hot with pepperoni and jalapeños and the Mexican, which includes spicy beef, onion, red peppers, and chili. McDonald's is different in Ireland and the UK too, especially when it comes to the serving size. But no local will tell you to go to a chain if you visit. We have much better pizza (and burgers) elsewhere, and everyone will be happy to steer you to better local offerings. Unless of course it's 1 a.m. — in that case, Papa Johns might just be the best bet.