.png)
Iowa is primarily known as a top agricultural leader in the U.S., ranking first in corn, pork, and egg production. It is famously recognized for the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses, the annual Iowa State Fair, rolling farmland, and the American Gothic House. So to think that Taco Pizza started in Iowa doesn't seem possible.
But, the truth is, it did! Taco pizza was invented in 1974 by Joe Whitty, founder of Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor in Davenport, Iowa. Seeking a new specialty item, Whitty combined traditional pizza crust with taco sauce, seasoned beef/sausage, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and taco chips, creating a popular Midwestern staple.
Now, as an Iowan myself, it's hard to imagine life without the Taco Pizza. It's one of my favorite food dishes around. I could eat it at least once a week. Growing up of course there was the original from Happy Joe's Pizza, but over the years pretty much every pizza place in town, now has their own version. There is just something about the crushed taco chips and lettuce on top of all the other goodness that makes the pizza so wonderful.
So this makes me wonder. Is Taco Pizza really that big of a thing outside of the Iowa and the Midwest? I mean in today's world it seems like you can have any kind of food anywhere. But sadly, it hasn't really caught on outside of America. You will see it here and there, but it just doesn't have the same presence that it has in the Midwest region of the States.
So if you are reading this and never had tried the Taco Pizza. Please, put it on your list. If you don't have options to purchase around you, schedule a visit to Iowa to try a few slices today. In fact, book a little trip for August to Iowa. Then you can eat some wonderful Taco pizza and check out the Best Fair in the States!
 |
| Iowa, Land of American Gothic and Taco Pizza |
 |
| Find him on X @brogan78 | on Instagram | on Facebook | or on Youtube |