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Caliente Pizza & Draft House showcases a unique specialty pizza in honor of National Pizza Month

Award-winning pizza restaurant announces the changing Grandma Elsie pizza

PITTSBURGH (October 1, 2020) – In honor of National Pizza Month, Caliente Pizza & Draft House is announcing that they are featuring 30 new gourmet pizza recipes in six weeks.

Grouped with the other grandma-style pizzas on the menu, Caliente’s Grandma Elsie is for pizza lover and food adventurers of all kind. When ordered, customers are surprised with a different specialty gourmet pizza recipe, but Caliente’s chefs are taking their experimentation to the extreme, with a new recipe per week at each of Caliente’s five locations over the next six weeks at.

Grandma-style pizzas are large rectangular pizzas, but the dough separates them from similarly shaped Sicilian-style pies, being kneaded into the pan with a quick rise. The toppings, then, are chef’s choice.

The idea behind the weekly recipes plays two functions: it pays homage to owner Nick Bogacz’s grandmother, who proudly created unique and delicious meals each night for her family. “I can’t remember ever having the same meal twice at Grandma Elsie’s,” Bogacz said.

It’s also a way for Caliente’s award-winning chefs to practice new recipes and showcase their talents. Unfortunately for pizzaioli around the world, competitions have been put on a halt due to travel and social distancing restrictions, forcing the Caliente team to stay at home this year.

“If we can’t go to Italy to defend our World Pizza Championship and Best Pizza in America titles, we’ll bring the inventive creativity to Caliente,” says Bogacz. “Our team loves to explore new recipes and our customers love to see what we come up with, so we figured National Pizza Month was the perfect time to do it.”

With 30 new pizzas through November 14, Caliente challenges its customers to try each recipe. Can they keep up?

To learn more about the Grandma Elsie and other menu items, visit their website here.

ABOUT CALIENTE PIZZA & DRAFT HOUSE

 Caliente Pizza & Draft House is an award-winning, locally owned and operated pizza restaurant known for its roster of gourmet pizzas and craft beers. With five locations in the Pittsburgh area, Caliente is also known internationally as three-time World Pizza Champions and represents Pittsburgh on the World Pizza Champions Team. In 2019, Caliente Pizza & Draft House earned the title of Best Pizza in America.

Caliente Pizza & Draft House showcases a unique specialty pizza in honor of National Pizza Month

Award-winning pizza restaurant announces the changing Grandma Elsie pizza

PITTSBURGH (October 1, 2020) – In honor of National Pizza Month, Caliente Pizza & Draft House is announcing that they are featuring 30 new gourmet pizza recipes in six weeks.

Grouped with the other grandma-style pizzas on the menu, Caliente’s Grandma Elsie is for pizza lover and food adventurers of all kind. When ordered, customers are surprised with a different specialty gourmet pizza recipe, but Caliente’s chefs are taking their experimentation to the extreme, with a new recipe per week at each of Caliente’s five locations over the next six weeks at.

Grandma-style pizzas are large rectangular pizzas, but the dough separates them from similarly shaped Sicilian-style pies, being kneaded into the pan with a quick rise. The toppings, then, are chef’s choice.

The idea behind the weekly recipes plays two functions: it pays homage to owner Nick Bogacz’s grandmother, who proudly created unique and delicious meals each night for her family. “I can’t remember ever having the same meal twice at Grandma Elsie’s,” Bogacz said.

It’s also a way for Caliente’s award-winning chefs to practice new recipes and showcase their talents. Unfortunately for pizzaioli around the world, competitions have been put on a halt due to travel and social distancing restrictions, forcing the Caliente team to stay at home this year.

“If we can’t go to Italy to defend our World Pizza Championship and Best Pizza in America titles, we’ll bring the inventive creativity to Caliente,” says Bogacz. “Our team loves to explore new recipes and our customers love to see what we come up with, so we figured National Pizza Month was the perfect time to do it.”

With 30 new pizzas through November 14, Caliente challenges its customers to try each recipe. Can they keep up?

To learn more about the Grandma Elsie and other menu items, visit their website here.

ABOUT CALIENTE PIZZA & DRAFT HOUSE

 Caliente Pizza & Draft House is an award-winning, locally owned and operated pizza restaurant known for its roster of gourmet pizzas and craft beers. With five locations in the Pittsburgh area, Caliente is also known internationally as three-time World Pizza Champions and represents Pittsburgh on the World Pizza Champions Team. In 2019, Caliente Pizza & Draft House earned the title of Best Pizza in America.

Caliente Pizza gives 8 Pittsburghers a chance to win free pizza for a year

Award-winning pizza chain announces new contest in advance of 8th anniversary

PITTSBURGH (August 11, 2020) — Beginning today, Caliente Pizza & Draft House customers can enter to win free pizza for a year, just in time for its 8th anniversary.

The contest will officially run from August 11 at 11:00 A.M. through September 26 at 11:59 P.M. To enter, customers can complete an entry form online or simply place an order at any of one of the five Caliente locations to be entered automatically. On Monday, September 28, eight lucky winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted directly by Caliente Pizza. See the official contest rules here

September marks the 8th anniversary of the locally owned and operated pizza chain. In 2012, Nick and Angie Bogacz opened the first Caliente Pizza restaurant in Bloomfield. Over the years, the Pittsburgh couple has opened stores in Hampton, Mt. Lebanon, Aspinwall and most recently, Monroeville. Prior to COVID-19, Caliente employed nearly 200 employees, many of whom travel to international competitions to test their pizza-making and pizza-acrobatic skills. Caliente holds three World Pizza Champions titles and represents Pittsburgh on the World Pizza Champions Team. In 2019, Caliente Pizza & Draft House earned the title of Best Pizza in America.

“2020 has not been an easy year for many businesses, especially those in the food and beverage industry, said Nick Bogacz, founder and owner of Caliente Pizza & Draft House. “As we approach our 8th anniversary, we wanted to do something special to honor our loyal customers. Without the community’s support, we could not have made our pizza dream a reality, so we’re excited to treat eight lucky winners to free pizza for a year.”

ABOUT CALIENTE PIZZA & DRAFT HOUSE

 Caliente Pizza & Draft House is an award-winning, locally owned and operated pizza restaurant known for its roster of gourmet pizzas and craft beers. With five locations in the Pittsburgh area, Caliente is also known internationally as three-time World Pizza Champions and represents Pittsburgh on the World Pizza Champions Team. In 2019, Caliente Pizza & Draft House earned the title of Best Pizza in America.

Caliente Pizza Kit

Caliente Pizza Kit

22$ for the whole kit (two medium pizzas, dough, sauce, cheese and seasoning included plus you pick your toppings).

Instructions for Baking Your Caliente Pizza at Home! 
Preheat your oven to the highest setting (usually 500 degrees)
Dust each dough ball and your counter top generously with all-purpose flour

Roll, press or hand stretch if you’re daring!
(watch some YouTube videos)

You can bake your pizza on a pre heated pizza stone if you have one, on an  ungreased pizza pan, or go Sicilian style and press it down into a well-greased sheet pan.

Top your pizza with the toppings provided in your kit (choose your favorites when you order)

Bake your pie for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!

Please share your Caliente experience on Facebook and Instagram so others can watch the fun!

New ‘Luca Brasi’ pizza kicks off Caliente’s Summer of Champions

Award-winning pizza chain announces new pie and summer promotion beginning on June 15

PITTSBURGH (June 15, 2020) — On June 15, Caliente Pizza & Draft House will kick off its summer promotion with yet another award-winning menu item, the “Luca Brasi” classic style pizza.

Caliente’s newest addition: the Luca Brasi pizza

The “Godfather”-inspired name pays homage to the Italian-American roots of the classic pie. Born in Italy, but made in America, the Luca Brasi was named the third best pizza in the world at the Trofeo Caputo Cup World Championships in Naples, Italy, in September 2019. Featuring over 600 pizzaioli from over 40 countries, the competition is considered the largest pizza event in the world. Caliente’s regional and award-winning chef, Eric Von Hansen, created the pizza for “Classic American traditional” category, meaning all traditional toppings are used.

Made with Caliente’s signature three-day fermented dough, the Luca Brasi consists of hot and sweet sausage and a variety of  marinated peppers including banana, roasted red and sweet drops. It is topped with crushed plum tomato sauce, Burrata, mozzarella and provolone cheeses, seasoned with garlic, basil oil, salt and pepper and red pepper flakes and finished with an olive oil drizzle.

“I wanted to create a truly authentic-style classic pizza with lots of flavor and character,” said Chef Hansen. “The butter-flavored cheeses balance perfectly with the heat from the peppers and marinates well with the sausage. We’re proud to add another award-winning pizza to our menu with ingredients sourced from the U.S.”

Champion customers deserve championship pizza

The Luca Brasi adds to the list of the team’s international award-winning pies, including the Mee-Maw, 2019’s Best Pizza in America, and the Quack Attack. This summer, Caliente’s stores will celebrate its champion customers with its award-winning pizzas as part of its customer appreciation campaign.

Last April, the Mee-Maw took home first place at the 2019 World Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy. Created on Caliente’s signature five-day fermented dough, the Mee-Maw is topped with olive oil, five-year aged Parmesan, local rapini cooked with peppered bacon, shallots, garlic, onion, crushed plum tomatoes, porchetta, shaved black truffle, pecorino Romano, salt, pepper and more aged Parmesan.

The Quack Attack pie was named the top pan pizza in the world at the 2016 International Pizza Expo. The signature five-day fermented dough is topped with pan-seared duck breast, roasted garlic butter sauce, wild mushroom ragu, tomatoes, baby arugula, fontinella, Parmesan and truffle garlic oil.

As part of its summer promotion, Caliente Pizza and Draft House is encouraging customers to participate in its #ChampionsEatPizza social media campaign. Customers can participate in two ways: post a photo of their past championship memories to receive a 20% discount or, with the purchase of a pizza kit, post a photo of a design using edible ingredients for a chance to win MVP of the Week.

To learn more or place an order, visit www.pizzadrafthouse.com.

ABOUT CALIENTE PIZZA & DRAFT HOUSE

 Caliente Pizza & Draft House is an award-winning, locally owned and operated pizza restaurant known for its roster of gourmet pizzas and craft beers. With five locations in the Pittsburgh area, Caliente is also known internationally as three-time World Pizza Champions and represents Pittsburgh on the World Pizza Champions Team. In 2019, Caliente Pizza & Draft House earned the title of Best Pizza in America.

Caliente Pizza & Draft House announces new menu items for 2020

Award-winning pizza chain announces new menu at all Pittsburgh locations beginning on March 23

PITTSBURGH (March 18, 2020) — After months of meticulous planning, Caliente Pizza & Draft House is proud to announce the release of its new menu debuting at all five of its locations on March 23. These new menu items will all be available for takeout and delivery until stores re-open.

The menu will still include all of the team’s award-winning pies including the Mee-Maw, known as the Best Pizza in America, and the Quack Attack. Caliente’s most recent YouTube video, featuring Regional Chef Eric Von Hansen, previews some of the restaurant’s newest creations, including new pies aptly named after film classics such as Roadhouse and Spaceballs.

“Every year, we challenge ourselves to come out with a new menu so we can continue to put Pittsburgh pizza on the map,” said Hansen. “We pride ourselves in having the freshest ingredients paired with unique gourmet recipes. We’re excited to see which new menu items become customer favorites.”

Below is a list of some of the new items.

Roadhouse Pizza

Topped with Honey BBQ, pulled pork, bacon, jalapenos, Pittsburgh Pickle Co. pickles, mozzarella, provolone and cheddar, this thriller of a pizza is named after the 1989 action classic starring Patrick Swayze.

 Spaceballs The Pizza

This unique creation features meatballs, Sweety Drop peppers, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, provolone, parmesan and Caliente red sauce for a tasty spin on the 1987 Star Wars parody directed by Mel Brooks.

 The Hugh Hefner Pizza

With just a tad of spice from green chili peppers, red sauce, mozzarella, provolone, cup & char pepperoni and Philadelphia cream cheese, Hugh would’ve been proud of this perfect personality pizza.

 Margherita Pizza

After two trips to Italy in 2019, Caliente took a small step back to the traditional side to create this purely Italian pie made with red sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil and olive oil.

Bugsy Siegel Calzone

So good it should be criminal, this calzone features red sauce, ricotta, meatballs, basil, mozzarella and provolone. The American mobster himself would’ve feared its flavor.

 Cry to Mommy Fries

Not for the faint of heart, these fries feature buffalo seasoning, Caliente’s original “Cry to Mommy” sauce and cheddar cheese for a nontraditional kick on hand-cut fries.

Along with the above additions, Caliente’s new menu also includes Meatball Hoagies, Hush Puppies, Deep Fried Pierogies and many new premium pizza toppings including vegan cheese.

A complete menu will be available for preview soon on Caliente’s website at www.pizzadrafthouse.com.

ABOUT CALIENTE PIZZA & DRAFT HOUSE

Caliente Pizza & Draft House is an award-winning, locally owned and operated pizza restaurant known for its roster of gourmet pizzas and craft beers. With five locations in the Pittsburgh area, Caliente is also known internationally as three-time World Pizza Champions and represents Pittsburgh on the World Pizza Champions Team. In 2019, Caliente Pizza & Draft House earned the title of Best Pizza in America.