What Is Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza?

Pizza Hut has long been known for its pan pizzas and stuffed crusts, but now they’re venturing into new territory with their take on Chicago’s beloved bar pies. The Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza is a departure from what many associate with Chicago pizza, offering a thin, crispy crust that’s a far cry from the deep-dish style often linked to the Windy City.

This new offering is part of Pizza Hut’s strategy to bring regional pizza styles to a national audience. Much like their Big New Yorker pizza, which aimed to capture the essence of New York-style slices, the Tavern Style Pizza is Pizza Hut’s attempt to introduce America to a less famous, but equally cherished, Chicago pizza tradition.

Key Features of Tavern Style Pizza

So, what is Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza all about? Let’s break down its key features:

1. Crispy Thin Crust: The foundation of this pizza is a crust that’s thin and crispy, designed to hold up to a variety of toppings without getting soggy.
2. NEW Cheesy Garlic Hut Dust Seasoning: Pizza Hut has created a proprietary seasoning blend to give their Tavern Style Pizza a unique flavor profile.
3. Square-Cut Slices: Unlike traditional round pizzas, this one is cut into squares, making it perfect for sharing and snacking.
4. Bold Flavor Profile: Pizza Hut is marketing this pizza as having a bolder, more pronounced flavor compared to their regular offerings.
5. Variety of Toppings: While staying true to the tavern-style concept, Pizza Hut offers a range of topping options to cater to different tastes.
6. Designed for Sharing: The square cut and thin crust make this pizza ideal for social gatherings and group dining.

The combination of these features aims to create a pizza that’s distinctly different from Pizza Hut’s usual fare, offering customers a new experience that’s rooted in Chicago pizza tradition.

Available Recipes and Customization Options

Pizza Hut isn’t just offering a blank canvas with their Tavern Style Pizza. They’ve created several signature recipes to showcase this new style:

• Double Pepperoni: For those who can never get enough pepperoni, this option doubles down on the classic topping.
• Pesto Margherita: A twist on the Italian classic, featuring basil pesto and fresh tomatoes.
• Ultimate: Loaded with a variety of toppings for those who want it all.
• Spicy Chicken Sausage: Catering to those who like a bit of heat with their pizza.

In addition to these pre-designed options, Pizza Hut allows for customization with a variety of toppings. They’ve also introduced some new ingredients to complement the Tavern Style Pizza, including:

• Basil pesto
• Fire-roasted red peppers
• Caramelized onions
• Grape tomatoes

This variety ensures that whether you’re a traditionalist or an adventurous eater, there’s a Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza option for you.

Ordering and Availability

Now that we’ve covered what Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza is, let’s talk about how you can get your hands on one:

• Available Now: The Tavern Style Pizza is currently available at participating Pizza Hut locations across the country.
• Multiple Ordering Options: You can order online through the Pizza Hut website, via their mobile app, or in-store.
• Hut Rewards Integration: Members of Pizza Hut’s loyalty program, Hut Rewards, can earn points on their Tavern Style Pizza purchases.
• Limited Time Offer: Pizza Hut has indicated that this is a limited-time offering, so it may not be a permanent menu item.
• Variable Pricing: The cost of the Tavern Style Pizza varies by location, but reports suggest a medium pizza is priced around $26.
• Early Access for Rewards Members: Hut Rewards members sometimes get early access to new products, including the Tavern Style Pizza.

It’s worth noting that because this is a limited-time offer, pizza enthusiasts might want to try it sooner rather than later. The availability at specific locations may vary, so it’s best to check with your local Pizza Hut.

Marketing and Promotion

Pizza Hut has launched a comprehensive marketing campaign to introduce the Tavern Style Pizza to the public. Here’s how they’re promoting this new offering:

• Chicago-Centric Commercials: TV ads feature Chicago imagery and references to appeal to locals and intrigue a national audience.
• Authenticity Claims: The marketing emphasizes that this is a more “authentic” representation of Chicago pizza than deep-dish.
• Challenging Perceptions: One ad boldly claims, “Deep dish is for tourists!” positioning the Tavern Style as the true local favorite.
• Familiar Slogans: Pizza Hut is sticking with its well-known tagline, “No one out-pizzas the Hut,” even for this new style.
• Dual Target Audience: The campaign aims to appeal both to Chicago natives and to a broader national audience curious about regional pizza styles.
• Rewards Program Tie-In: Pizza Hut is using its Hut Rewards program to promote the new pizza, offering members early access and the chance to earn points.

This multi-faceted approach shows that Pizza Hut is serious about establishing the Tavern Style Pizza as a significant addition to their menu, potentially reshaping perceptions about Chicago pizza in the process.

Critical Reception and Comparisons

As with any new product, especially one that claims to represent a beloved regional style, the Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza has received mixed reviews:

• Crust Texture Debate: Some critics have praised the crispiness of the crust, while others have found it lacking compared to authentic Chicago tavern pizzas.
• Flavor Profile: Opinions on the taste vary, with some enjoying the bold flavors and others finding them artificial or underwhelming.
• Price Point Discussions: At around $26 for a medium, some reviewers have questioned whether the pizza offers good value for money.
• Authenticity Questions: There’s been significant debate about whether a national chain can truly capture the essence of a regional specialty.
• Comparison to Local Favorites: In Chicago, the pizza has been compared to beloved local establishments, often falling short in these face-offs.
• Chain Pizza Context: Some reviewers have noted that while it may not match up to local specialties, it’s a step up from typical chain pizza offerings.

It’s important to remember that taste is subjective, and what works for one person may not work for another. The reception of the Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza reflects this diversity of opinion.

Chain Restaurants and Regional Specialties

The introduction of the Tavern Style Pizza by Pizza Hut raises interesting questions about the role of national chains in preserving and promoting regional food specialties:

• Accessibility: By offering a version of Chicago tavern-style pizza nationwide, Pizza Hut is introducing this lesser-known style to a broader audience.
• Authenticity vs. Adaptation: There’s an inherent tension between maintaining authenticity and adapting a regional specialty for mass production and nationwide appeal.
• Education: Whether accurate or not, Pizza Hut’s marketing is educating consumers about the diversity of Chicago pizza styles beyond deep-dish.
• Local Impact: Some worry that chain versions of regional specialties could impact local businesses that have been making these pizzas for generations.
• Evolution of Fast Food: This move by Pizza Hut reflects a broader trend of fast food chains trying to offer more diverse and “authentic” options.

While purists may scoff at the idea of a chain restaurant version of their beloved local pizza, others see it as a way to bring regional flavors to a wider audience.

Conclusion: Is Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza Worth Trying?

So, after all this, what is Pizza Hut Tavern Style Pizza really about? It’s Pizza Hut’s attempt to capture the essence of Chicago tavern-style pizza and share it with a national audience. With its thin, crispy crust, square cut, and bold flavors, it offers a different experience from Pizza Hut’s traditional offerings.

Whether it’s worth trying depends on your perspective:

• If you’re curious about different regional pizza styles, it’s an accessible way to experience a version of Chicago tavern pizza.
• For those who enjoy thin-crust pizzas with a variety of toppings, this might be a welcome addition to Pizza Hut’s menu.
• Chicago natives or tavern pizza purists might find it falls short of their local favorites, but could appreciate the attempt to highlight this style.
• Pizza enthusiasts might want to try it simply to form their own opinion and be part of the conversation.

Ultimately, Pizza Hut’s Tavern Style Pizza is an interesting experiment in bringing regional flavors to a national chain. Whether it becomes a beloved menu item or fades away after its limited-time run remains to be seen. But for now, it’s certainly got people talking – and isn’t that what good pizza is supposed to do?