What Makes Miami's Cuban-Style Pizza So Unique?
Let's talk baked dough, melted cheese, and flavorful toppings for a moment, aka the formulaic components to bake an epic pizza. There's no question that this entrée is wildly popular across the globe, especially in the United States. In fact, Eat This, Not That! states that "13% of Americans eat pizza on any given day."
Pizza is easy to eat and a single bite can encompass an array of flavors. Some like it simple with just cheese or pepperoni. Others crave unique flamin' hot Cheetos flavors, per Thrillist, or a mix of toppings à la supreme pizza. But pizza also varies depending on which region of the United States you're in, according to Dish Crawl — Chicago's got a deep dish, Detroit-style consists of thick "squares" of pizza that are famous for the crispy corner bits, and New York loves wide slices of pizza topped with oregano, parmesan, and crushed red pepper flakes.
And then there's Miami, known for ceviche, Cuban sandwiches, key lime pie, and the underrated Cuban-style pizza, per The Culture Trip. Here's what that is and why it's so unique.
Like a sandwich
The devil is in the details with Cuban-style pizza, according to Eater Miami, which further explains that the simplicity of the pie comes down to the uniqueness of the dough, sauce, and cheese.
The dough is thick and foldable, and it's common to eat this like a folded sandwich, per Taste Atlas. The sauce is also sweet and enhanced by a mountain of mozzarella and gouda cheese, though some cooks and food bloggers, like Izzy Cooking, use Swiss cheese instead. Toppings like chorizo, ground beef, peppers, and picadillo are "baked into the pie," as quoted by Eater Miami, which won't fall off the pizza when you fold it.
But how does it taste? Food52 explains that Cuban-style pizza blends sweet and savory flavors together perfectly, and the crust is akin to airy dinner rolls. And since there are so many toppings to choose from, Cuban-style pizza can either err on the side of sweetness with sliced bananas or pineapples or lean toward savory notes with fresh seafood like shrimp and lobster.
And it's not a pretentious kind of pizza either. Rather, it's the epitome of comfort food that is simple, easy to eat on the go, and representative of Cuban culture.