Craving a unique and flavorful pizza experience? If you’re searching for “Mexican Pizza Near Me,” you might be surprised to discover a delightful option beyond the usual suspects: Taco John’s Taco Pizza. For those unfamiliar, taco pizza isn’t your typical Italian-American fare. It’s a Midwestern specialty that combines the best of taco flavors with the satisfying form of a pizza. My own journey with this culinary crossover started long before Taco John’s entered the scene, back in my Montana hometown where fast food choices were limited, but the taco pizza at Bob’s Place was unforgettable.
My early encounters with taco pizza were at Bob’s Place, a local pizza parlor managed by my mother. While they offered standard pizza combinations, it was their specialty taco pizza that truly stood out, alongside a surprisingly good shrimp pizza. Even now, Bob’s Place’s taco pizza remains a high benchmark for me. For many Midwesterners, the conversation around taco pizza often revolves around Happy Joe’s and Casey’s, both Iowa-based chains. While Happy Joe’s is my personal favorite in that arena, Casey’s, a gas station chain, impressively holds its own in the taco pizza game.
So, when Taco John’s announced they were testing their own version of taco pizza, I was naturally excited. Especially since Minnesota, despite Taco John’s Wyoming roots, now has a significant number of locations. Taco John’s approach to taco pizza stays true to their “West-Mex” style, but with a notable upgrade: a corn and flour blend crust, a feature not universally found in taco pizzas and a welcome touch.
Recently, Taco John’s Taco Pizza became available at all locations, and I had to try it. Unfortunately, Minneapolis no longer has a Taco John’s, the last one having closed its skyway location. So, I headed to a newer location in Burnsville to get my taco pizza fix.
The first thing that struck me was the price, $9.99, which initially seemed a bit steep. However, upon seeing the pizza, it was clear this wasn’t a small, personal-sized Mexican Pizza like Taco Bell’s. This was a substantial 10-inch pie. Naturally, I completed the meal with a side of Potato Olés, nacho cheese, and the new Fiesta Sauce designed for the taco pizza. And to drink? Mountain Dew, the quintessential pairing for this Americanized Mexican-Italian feast, since Taco John’s serves Pepsi products.
Taco John's Taco Pizza with Potato Oles
Taste-wise, Taco John’s Taco Pizza definitely competes with the likes of Happy Joe’s and Casey’s. The corn and flour crust provides a delightful crispiness and a richer flavor than standard flour crusts. The base of refried beans and seasoned ground beef is followed by generous toppings: a four-cheese blend, lettuce, tomato, tortilla strips, and the Fiesta Sauce, which tastes like a tangy mix of sour cream, salsa, and a hint of ranch.
As a side note, while I usually stick to nacho cheese for my Potato Olés, dipping them in the Fiesta Sauce was a pleasant surprise. For the truly adventurous, try topping your taco pizza with Potato Olés and drizzling nacho cheese – a delicious combination!
Given its size, I only managed to eat half of the taco pizza, saving the rest for later. Reheating it in the air fryer at 375 degrees for four minutes (remember to remove the lettuce and tomatoes first!) brought it back to perfect crispy deliciousness. Overall, I’d give Taco John’s Taco Pizza a solid 7.7 out of 10. It’s a limited-time offering, but hopefully, its popularity will earn it a spot in the regular seasonal rotation, much like their Apple Grande or Nachos Navidad. So, next time you’re searching for “mexican pizza near me”, consider trying Taco John’s – you might just discover a new favorite.
