Movie theaters are opening again and there are more films to watch on the screens these days, and for me that means a return to one of the best cinema experiences out there, Alamo Drafthouse. This theater chain, which got its start right here in Texas, offers good food and food beer on tap so that you can enjoy more than just overpriced popcorn, soda, and Junior Mints while watching a movie. And when I went back for the first time in well over a year this past weekend, I noticed a menu item that I had not seen previously: The Angry Pepperoni Pizza.
Here’s how they describe the pizza on the menu:
Prepare for some serious heat, with pickled jalapenos, roasted garlic, red chili flakes, and fresh basil. Oh, and pepperoni.
This one is basically similar to their regular ‘roni pizza, which is already a pretty tasty pie by itself. But they spice it up to give it even more of a kick. Their pizzas are made with a thin crust that is crispier on the edges and a little softer in the middle, but it is cooked perfectly throughout and holds all the toppings together. The pepperoni is salty and zesty with a bit of spice. The sauce has a touch of sweetness along with the flavor of Italian herbs as well as plenty of garlic.
Basically, what I have described above so far is their regular pepperoni which already has a bit of a kick of its own. And the angry version amps it up even more. They add jalapenos and chili flakes to bring the heat, and that roasted garlic assures that you will be safe if watching a vampire movie. The fresh basil is a nice touch, but it does not stand out too much.
As for the heat, this pie definitely delivers. I would put it at a medium level spiciness, maybe a little bit higher. And this is a heat that that lingers. It won’t send you running from the theater, but you will want to have a libation close by to cool your mouth down. (And it’s quite convenient that they have multiple brews on tap.) Some might like this even hotter, and I can see that if I was bringing it home. But for a spicy nosh while enjoying a movie, this fits the bill perfectly.
Alamo Drafthouse does not have the nutrition info on its menu, but I’m guessing this pizza comes in at least at 800 calories and possibly more than a thousand. Add on those two beers you are going to order with it, and this is pretty hefty meal. But hey, you’re going to the movies. You can splurge a bit! Price-wise, the pie costs $14 which is on the high end for a casual sit-down restaurant, but not outrageous. And it is worth the money as they make some of the best personal pizzas around.
Alamo Drafthouse got its start in Austin, Texas when its founders decided to add good beer and good food to the movie experience (and you better keep quiet during the film otherwise they will ask you to leave). The chain became quite popular throughout the state and later expanded to other parts of the country. They took it on the chin during the pandemic as did all theater chains and even declared bankruptcy at one point, closing down some of their locations. But they have made it through that and they are back to business as almost usual for now (they are still social-distancing the seats). If you have one near you, now’s the time to go see a movie again (I watched A Quiet Place II and it holds up well to the first film), and get yourself an Angry Pepperoni pizza and a brew while you are there.