Pizza Hut Fans Are Confused by the Chain's Latest Offering

Pizza Hut released a brand new style of pizza last week, the Chicago Tavern-Style Pizza, in an apparent effort to educate the masses that deep dish pizza is only for tourists of the Windy City . It probably wasn't a coincidence, either, that the timing happened to fall just ahead of the popular FX on Hulu series, The Bear , which premiered its third season this week.

The new offering boasts an all-new thin, almost cracker-like crust for the chain, which is cut into squares, not slices, with toppings spread all the way to the edge. It's also being called Pizza Hut's biggest toppings menu overhaul in over a decade, with eight new additions that are featured in the new tavern-style pies—the Pesto Margherita, Ultimate Tavern Pizza, Spicy Chicken Sausage, and Double Pepperoni—or can be selected as toppings on custom Pizza Hut pizza orders.

With the latest release, the chain is attempting to pay homage to the style of pizza that has been served in Chicago taverns since the 1930s, typically served for free by tavern owners to keep patrons in seats.

"These menu additions represent a bold step forward as part of our culinary mission to bring our guests modern innovation that embraces what we know our customers are loving and looking for in a pizza. Tavern is not just a pizza; it is a culinary trend that reflects the excitement of today's pizza scene," said Pizza Hut Chief Food Innovation Officer Rachel Antalek. "We perfected these recipes to truly pay homage to Chicago and the hundred-year-old style in a modern way while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a pizza with fresh new toppings and flavors."

Yet, for all of the attempts by Pizza Hut to convince customers that tavern-style pizza is Chicago's real hidden gem, as the news began to make its way around online, not everyone was convinced. Many fans took to social media to express their skepticism with Pizza Hut attempting to replicate the delicacy, or to kvetch about the chain not bringing back deep dish or even Detroit-style pizza; both former limited offerings.

Others pointed out that Chicago didn't exactly invent the concept of a thin-crust pizza.

"But at least one vocal fan was on board. "YES. Everyone knows deep dish is for the tourists," chimed in another user. "REAL Chicago style pizza is tavern style, thin crust, cut just big enough to fit on a bar napkin and eat with one hand."

Well, there's only one way to find out. The new pies are available at select locations nationwide, starting at $12.00 for a large pizza, though pricing, participation, and availability varies.