Thanksgiving pizza pie sparks debate and drives crowds to Pino's Pizza

In Deer Park, New York, Pino's Pizza has gained viral attention for its unique creation, a Thanksgiving pizza pie. This innovative dish combines traditional Thanksgiving ingredients like turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce, all served on a pizza crust. The idea for the Thanksgiving pizza emerged after Pino Barbieri, the owner of Pino's Pizza, found himself with an excess of roasted turkeys from his Italian food market nearby. To utilize the surplus, he thought of an inventive way to merge holiday flavors with a beloved Italian staple. The Thanksgiving pizza features a base of dough, which is topped with turkey gravy, cornbread-sausage-apple stuffing, and vegetables such as celery, carrots, and onions. Carved turkey is layered on top, in addition to mozzarella cheese that helps to bind the flavors together. A standout component of the pizza is the homemade cranberry sauce, crafted with cranberries, dates, pears, and figs. This combination of flavors creates a culinary experience reminiscent of a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but served in a different format. Since making its debut, the Thanksgiving pizza pie has attracted considerable attention, with over 12 million views across social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Customers have traveled significant distances, including from Lower Manhattan, Montauk, and even as far as Pennsylvania, specifically to try this unique pizza. Positive reviews have flooded in, with many customers expressing their delight over the unusual yet nostalgic flavors that evoke the spirit of Thanksgiving in a creative way. The pizzeria plans to continue serving this popular dish as long as there is demand, and until they run out of the available turkeys. The cozy pizzeria has become a local hotspot, drawing in a diverse clientele eager to sample what many are calling a phenomenal Thanksgiving pie experience.