Central Indiana pizza lovers have a reason to branch out this week, with more than 20 restaurants serving specialty pies for just $11 through Nov. 15. Indianapolis Pizza Week kicked off Monday, and the lineup ranges from a butternut squash and cranberry chutney creation to a pie piled with pears, brie and hot honey.
According to WISH-TV, more than 20 restaurants are serving specialty pizzas for just $11 Monday through Nov. 15, with participating eateries including Goodfellas, Byrne's Grilled Pizza and Bazbeaux. The event is presented by Ategrity Specialty Insurance Company and powered by Indianapolis Monthly, and organizers say it's meant to encourage diners to explore neighborhoods, try new pizza creations and support local businesses. Participating restaurants are located throughout central Indiana, and the event runs for seven days.
Butternut Squash and Pear-Brie Pies Lead the Specialty Menu
Among the standout offerings is the Butternut Crunch, a 12-inch thin-crust pizza built on a garlic oil base with butternut squash puree, ricotta, corn chips, cranberry chutney and caramelized onion, per WISH-TV's rundown of this year's menu. Another option, the Grin and Pear It, pairs sweet pears with creamy brie, garlic confit, mozzarella and fresh arugula, all finished with a drizzle of hot honey. Beyond those two, this year's offerings lean into fall flavors, with toppings across participating restaurants including peaches, gorgonzola and balsamic drizzle alongside the squash and pear combinations.
At Byrne's Grilled Pizza, the Butternut Crunch comes from pizza chef Grady, who develops the restaurant's seasonal specialty flavors and built this version with a thin crust, garlic olive oil, butternut squash puree, ricotta, corn chips, cranberry chutney and caramelized onions. Tyler Murphy, who represents Byrne's Grilled Pizza, said the restaurant makes its signature thin crust in-house and grills it to create a crispy bottom. Murphy added that events like Pizza Week help people discover local restaurants they may not have visited otherwise.
Beyond the Special, Byrne's Keeps Its Regular Menu in Rotation
Byrne's uses fresh ingredients across its toppings, and outside of its Pizza Week entry the restaurant also offers the Supreme, topped with pepperoni, sausage and banana peppers, and the Forager, finished with wild mushrooms and hot honey. The restaurant also offers vegetarian options for diners looking to skip the meat.
Organizers describe the event as an affordable way to experience the city's local pizza scene, and participants can check in at restaurants through the event app or website to track their progress. Checking in to four or more locations during the week makes a participant eligible to win $300 in gift cards to participating restaurants, according to indianapolispizzaweek.com. Dine-in and carryout availability varies by restaurant, and the organizers note that customers should check with individual spots if they plan on getting food to go.
A Regional Pizza Rivalry Unfolds the Same Week
Indianapolis isn't alone in celebrating cheap pies this week. Cincinnati Pizza Week is also running Nov. 9 to 15, marking its 11th year with its own round of $11 specialty pizzas, according to Everything Cincy. That event is sponsored by Stoop Dayz Hard Soda, and its own check-in drawing offers a bigger jackpot: $500 in gift cards plus a Stoop Dayz mascot outfit for anyone who checks in at four participating restaurants.
