The Topping Debate Ends Here
Few topics in the food world generate as much passionate debate as pizza toppings. Pineapple on pizza? Anchovies? Pickles? These aren’t just preference questions — for some people, they’re deeply held convictions.
After 40-plus years of making pizza in Ohio, we at Chubby’s have a unique perspective on this debate. We’ve watched topping trends come and go. We’ve seen customers swear they’d “never try that” and then come back a week later ordering it as their regular. We know what people actually put on their pizza — not what they say they do on social media surveys, but what they actually order with real money.
So here it is: our definitive, opinionated, completely-biased-by-decades-of-experience ranking of pizza toppings. Feel free to disagree. That’s part of the fun.
The Undisputed Champions (Tier 1)
1. Pepperoni
Is anyone surprised? Pepperoni has been the number one pizza topping in America for decades, and our order data confirms it. At Chubby’s, pepperoni appears on more pizzas than any other topping — by a wide margin.
What makes pepperoni so universally beloved? It’s the perfect pizza topping because it hits every note: salty, slightly spicy, a little greasy (in the best way), and it curls up at the edges when baked, creating those little crispy cups that catch pools of flavor. Our Pepperoni Lover’s pizza is one of our top sellers, and the newer Hot Honey Pepperoni has become a phenomenon.
Pro tip: Ask for Old World Pepperoni on your next build-your-own pizza. The smaller, thicker slices get even crispier and have a bolder flavor.
2. Sausage
Italian sausage is the Robin to pepperoni’s Batman. It brings a savory, herby depth that balances out the sharpness of pepperoni perfectly. That’s why the classic “pepperoni and sausage” combo has endured for generations — the two toppings complement each other like they were made to be together (because, honestly, they were).
At Chubby’s, sausage is the second most ordered topping and a key ingredient in several of our specialty pizzas, including the Chubby Deluxe and the Meat Lover’s.
3. Mushrooms
Here’s where it gets interesting. Mushrooms are one of those toppings that people either love or hate — there’s very little middle ground. But among mushroom lovers, the devotion is fierce.
Fresh mushrooms on pizza add an earthy, umami richness that no other topping can replicate. They absorb the flavors around them, soaking up sauce and cheese to become little flavor bombs. On our Chubby Deluxe and Veggie pizza, mushrooms are essential.
The Strong Contenders (Tier 2)
4. Bacon
Bacon on pizza was once considered unconventional. Now it’s everywhere, and for good reason. The smoky, salty crunch of bacon adds a dimension that standard pizza meats can’t match.
Our BLT Pizza, Chicken Bacon Ranch, and Billionaires Bacon are all testament to the power of this topping. And the Bacon Cheeseburger specialty pizza? It’s basically a burger on a pizza crust, and it works brilliantly.
5. Green Peppers & Onions
We’re grouping these together because they’re the dynamic duo of the vegetable world. Peppers add a fresh, slightly sweet crunch, while onions bring a savory bite that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Together, they’re the backbone of any great supreme or deluxe pizza.
6. Ham
Ham brings a sweetness to pizza that’s distinct from pepperoni or sausage. It’s milder, saltier, and plays incredibly well with unexpected partners — most notably pineapple. Which brings us to…
The Divisive Picks (Tier 3)
7. Pineapple
We’re going to say something controversial: pineapple belongs on pizza. There. We said it.
Our Hawaiian pizza (ham and pineapple) has been on the menu since the beginning, and it sells steadily. The sweetness of pineapple against the saltiness of ham and the tang of our sauce creates a genuinely delicious flavor profile. Is it traditional Italian? No. Is it good? Absolutely.
The pineapple-on-pizza debate says more about tribalism than taste. If you’ve never tried it, give it an honest shot. You might be surprised.
8. Pickles
Five years ago, if you told us that pickles would become one of our most talked-about pizza toppings, we would have laughed. But here we are.
Our Pickle Lover’s pizza has become a genuine phenomenon. The tangy crunch of dill pickles against melted mozzarella creates a combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. It’s the same principle that makes a cheeseburger with pickles irresistible — the acid and crunch cut through the richness of the cheese.
This is one of those toppings that perfectly illustrates why you should never dismiss something until you’ve tried it. The Pickle Lover’s pizza has converted more skeptics than any other pie on our menu.
9. Black Olives
Black olives are the quiet workhorse of pizza toppings. They’re not flashy, they’re not trendy, but they add a briny depth that rounds out a loaded pizza beautifully. On our Chubby Deluxe, black olives are the ingredient that ties everything together.
The Specialty Stars (Tier 4)
10. BBQ Sauce (as a base)
Swapping tomato sauce for BBQ sauce opens up an entirely different pizza experience. Our BBQ Chicken and Pulled Pork BBQ pizzas use BBQ sauce as the base, and the results are smoky, sweet, and deeply satisfying.
11. Ranch
Ranch dressing as a pizza base or drizzle is a Midwest thing, and we’re proud of it. Our Ranch pizza and Chicken Bacon Ranch are perennial favorites. And let’s be honest — half of Ohio dips their pizza crust in ranch anyway, so putting it directly on the pizza just cuts out the middleman.
12. Hot Honey
The newest star in the pizza topping universe. Hot honey — a blend of honey and chili peppers — adds a sweet-heat dimension that elevates pepperoni pizza from great to transcendent. Our Hot Honey Pepperoni has rocketed up the popularity charts since we added it. If you haven’t tried it yet, this should be your next order.
The Acquired Tastes (Tier 5)
13. Anchovies
We’re going to defend anchovies. Not because they’re popular (they’re not — they’re our least-ordered topping by far), but because they have a legitimate place in the pizza world. Anchovies add an intense, salty umami flavor that can actually be quite good in small amounts on a cheese pizza. They’re not for everyone, but for the people who love them, nothing else will do.
14. Ricotta
Ricotta on pizza is still underrated. The creamy dollops add a luxurious texture that complements our tomato sauce perfectly. Our Meatball Ricotta and 3 Cheese Bianca pizzas showcase what ricotta can do, and our Pepper, Ricotta, Meatball Trio is a house favorite.
What Our Customers Actually Order Most
Based on our order data across all three locations, here are the actual top five most-ordered toppings at Chubby’s:
- Pepperoni
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Mushrooms
- Green Peppers
And the five specialty pizzas ordered most often:
- Chubby Deluxe
- Pepperoni Lover’s
- Chicken Bacon Ranch
- Hot Honey Pepperoni
- Meat Lover’s
The Only Rule That Matters
After 40 years of making pizza, here’s the most important lesson we’ve learned about toppings: there are no wrong answers. (Okay, maybe don’t put gummy bears on a pizza. We draw the line somewhere.)
The best pizza is the one you enjoy eating. If that means classic pepperoni, great. If that means pineapple and pickles on the same pie — well, we haven’t tried that combination, but we’ll make it for you without judgment.
Build Your Perfect Pizza
Ready to put your topping opinions to the test? Order online from Chubby’s and build your dream pizza, or try one of our 30+ specialty pies. With fresh dough made daily, 100% mozzarella cheese, and our original sauce recipe from 1985, you really can’t go wrong — no matter what toppings you choose.
Stop by our locations in South Lebanon, Blanchester, or Morrow and let us know where you stand in the great topping debate!