What: Salsiccia pizza
Where: Black Cat Pizza, 72795 Highway 111, Palm Desert
How much: $22
Contact: 442-282-8019; blackcatpizzapd.com
Why: It’s unique—and really good.
I’d never heard of Detroit-style pizza until a couple of years ago, when a Detroit-style joint opened in Reno, Nev., my hometown. When that place, R Town Pizza, started getting rave reviews, I gave it a shot—and instantly became a fan. Therefore, I was happy when I learned last year that Black Cat Pizza, a new Detroit-style pizza joint, would be opening in Palm Desert. After trying a couple of their pizzas, I’ve become a fan of Black Cat, too.
If you’re unfamiliar with Detroit-style pizza, here’s a primer: These are deep-dish pies, in the vein of Chicago-style pizza, but they’re rectangular, because—as the story goes—they were originally made in automotive drip pans. After the cheese and the toppings are placed on the crust, sauce is added last, dolloped in “racing stripes” across the pie.
At Black Cat, the pizzas come in one size, around 8 by 10 inches or so. On our recent visit, to pick up a to-go order for lunch, we got a “Fungi,” with cremini mushrooms, fresh oregano and thyme ($22); and the “Salsiccia,” with pork sausage, Castelvetrano olives and pickled red onions.
While we liked the mushroom pie, the hubby and I decided the sausage pie was our favorite. The sausage was delicious, while the green olives added salinity, and the onions contributed both sweetness and acidity. Normally, when it comes to pizza, I am a sauce guy—I like a lot of it—and since the “racing stripes” don’t cover the entire pizza, bites around the edges don’t have sauce. However, I really didn’t mind, because the edge pieces have yummy crispy cheese. Mmm.
If you’ve never tried Detroit-style pizza, find time to visit Black Cat Pizza, because you really need to give it a shot—and if you are already a fan of this increasingly popular pizza genre, Black Cat’s fare will leave you pleased.
