Big Max Pizza with American cheese, seasoned beef, Thousand Island sauce, onion, pickle slices and lettuce
Burger and Pizza Become One
Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream | Based in Davenport, Iowa
Ashley Balluff
The success of certain menu items can be considered fairly self-evident. “It’s a burger on a pizza!” says Ashley Balluff, director of training and culinary at Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream, explaining the popularity of the Big Max Pizza. This unusual pizza build features seasoned beef, American cheese, Thousand Island sauce, onion, pickle slices and lettuce. It was launched as part of a trio of LTO items, and it was the most popular. “It’s something different and unique,” she says. “We will bring this one back as a fan favorite.”
According to Balluff, all the brand’s pizzas are crafted “with creativity, quality and a focus on bold flavors.” The concept specializes in pizzas that pay homage to iconic comfort foods, also menuing such pizzas as the Spaghetti Joe, Mac and Cheese, Reuben and Philly Cheesesteak iterations. “We were confident in the flavor profile because we love reimagining classic comfort foods from different cuisines and bringing them to life in a way that fits perfectly on a Happy Joe’s pizza,” she says.
About the Author
Patricia Fitzgerald serves different roles on the Flavor & The Menu team, including writing custom content, Kitchen Collaborative chef spotlights and digital editorial content, as well as acting as a contributing editor for the print magazine. As owner of PFitzCommunications, she specializes in various areas of foodservice and hospitality, while also maintaining clients in other industries and professions. She can be reached at pfitzcommunications@gmail.com.Read More Stories by Patricia Fitzgerald
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