My buddy is opening up a Detroit-style pizza restaurant. It's a great recipe and concept that should do well.
I asked him if he thought about hot sauce at all… thinking he may want to minimize it bc the recipes are so dialed in.
He was surprisingly open and interested in advice.
I've been in a few restaurants with a lot of character that had a consistent hot sauce on every table. At one breakfast place I noted Secret Ardvark on every table. So it was a little flex.
So you see where I'm headed. What might be a good, interesting sauce to take a stand on?
My first thought: Valentina Black
Sort of a hidden gem. unpretentious, delicious, cheap, classic
or maybe he just goes with a range?
by Reasonable-Wing-2271
14 Comments
Haven’t had Valentinas in years.
Never had hot sauce on pizza. But then again I probably eat pizza less than once a year.
Valentina extra hot is my most used sauce though. Mainly because of taste v price point.
You can’t beat Valentinas Extra Hot so may as well quit while you’re ahead.
If i went to a pizza place and rhey had a bunch of hot sauces to choose from, id never go to another pizza place again. Thats some GOAT shit
How about an assortment of house made, spiced up ranches or a signature hot honey drizzle? This would make a lot more sense for a pizza spot.
Straight hot sauce is just too left field for pizza imo.
For pizza I mostly use Crystal or Frank’s. To me, they pair better with pizza than the MEX hot sauces.
Haha the post right above this for me was how secret aardvark was over rated. I like it, but get the sentiment.
Valentina/tapatio track too Latin American for me to love, *on pizza.*
I tend to like the legacy sauces for za. Heavy vinegar, heavy cayenne. Franks’s, Tabasco, Crystal, etc.
Now— Melinda’s makes a crazy variety of sauces and they’re all pretty unique and not super “American” tasting.
I like where aardvark is going with the sweet and hot hab idea— but they’re not the only brand.
I think for Detroit style “hot honey” is a lovely addition, and could live on every table. And ramekins of a spicy ranch (aka just sriracha ranch) to order (it’s not super shelf stable) would absolutely rip.
I think y’all need to buy about 20+ sauces, make a couple of your own by combining pre made things, taste all off them across a few different recipes, and take like the top 5…
Valentina is my go to hot sauce, always good and very inexpensive.
Not a bad choice and probably really easy to get by the case. Hot honey might make a good accompaniment
Crystal, not too many spices, just chilli and vinegar flavours perfect for pizza. 👌🍕
Yeah this is pretty good one of my fav cheaper sauces. Any “thicker” type sauce would be good to have. I suggest yellow bird sauces too since they have nozzles on them. The ghost pepper and agave sriracha are great on pizza. Maybe some hot honey as well?
Best sauce on the market
Melinda Pizza hot sauce is killer on pizza. Less hot sauce than just an awesome umami booster with a bit of spice.
Bravado Serrano and Basil is awesome on pizza. Mild enough for a broad audience, and premium enough to be a flex.