20-05-2025
Turkish pide spices up Pittsburgh's pizza scene
It's time for another peculiar Pittsburgh pizza.
The intrigue: Yinzers might not realize many pizza joints in the region are run by Turkish immigrants and their descendants, but a select few lean into their roots and offer a Turkish-style pizza called pide.
🍕 Dig in: At Efes Pizza in Aspinwall, the Turkish flatbread is shaped like a football and loaded with either traditional pizza ingredients like cheese and pepperoni, or a Turkish minced meat mixture bursting with soft spices.
I tried the Pide Efes, which is filled with finely chopped ground beef, tomatoes, and onions. The subtle warm spices are complemented by a cool tzatziki sauce.
The cheese and sujuk (Turkish pepperoni) has Italian pizza flavors, but with a Middle Eastern flair thanks to a pop of cumin.
The thin, crunchy, yet pliable crust is the real star. Light and delicious.
The vibe: This is an unassuming mostly-takeout spot in a small strip mall. There are a few tables inside if you want to sit down.
