Is Hot Honey Pizza Taking Over the USA? Here’s Where to Try the Best Slices
🍕 Is Hot Honey Pizza Taking Over the USA? Here’s Where to Try the Best Slices 🔥 The Sweet Heat Craze: How Hot Honey Became Pizza Royalty Once upon a brunch hour, someone drizzled honey — not just any honey, but hot honey — onto a slice of pepperoni pizza, and the world never looked back. This simple, spicy-sweet twist has exploded across the American pizza scene, from Brooklyn dive bars to eco-conscious pizzerias in Los Angeles.
If you're a casual diner who’s down to try the latest foodie fad, you might be wondering: Is hot honey pizza worth the hype? And more importantly — where do you find the best slices without breaking the bank or the planet?
Let’s slice into the trend, track its takeover, and share the must-try hotspots (plus a few ways to taste it from your couch).
🍯 What is Hot Honey Pizza, Anyway? Hot honey pizza is exactly what it sounds like: classic pizza (usually with salty, spicy toppings like pepperoni or sausage) finished with a drizzle of chili-infused honey. The result? A craveable combo of salty, spicy, and sweet — the holy trifecta of flavor.
While brands like Mike’s Hot Honey helped spark the trend in New York, it’s now gone nationwide. And yes — TikTok, Instagram, and food bloggers helped fan the flames. But what makes it stick? It’s addictive, affordable, and photogenic. Basically, it’s foodie catnip.
📍 Where to Try the Best Hot Honey Pizza in the USA Whether you're traveling or ordering in, here are some of the best spots to try this spicy slice — complete with restaurant gift card recommendations so you can try without guilt.
- Paulie Gee’s — Brooklyn, NY If hot honey had a birthplace, it might be Paulie Gee’s. This cozy Brooklyn joint practically trademarked the combo with their Hellboy slice: fresh mozzarella, spicy soppressata, and that iconic hot honey drizzle.
🔗 Gift a slice: Grab a restaurant gift card on sites like Restaurant.com for Paulie Gee’s or other NYC gems. ♻️ Bonus: They’ve switched to compostable packaging for most of their takeaway orders.
- Roberta’s — Los Angeles, CA Originally from Brooklyn, Roberta’s expanded to LA and brought the hot honey game with it. Their Bee Sting is fiery, funky, and available in both dine-in and eco-conscious takeout packaging.
💡 Insider tip: Many Roberta’s locations use plant-based compostable boxes — no greasy guilt.
- Blaze Pizza — Nationwide Looking for a fast-casual fix? Blaze Pizza, which has locations across the U.S., offers hot honey as a custom topping option. Load up your pizza with spicy meats and finish it with a golden drizzle.
🔗 Pro Move: Buy a Blaze Pizza gift card to gift or save on your next slice. Look for eco-deals where they partner with sustainable packaging suppliers.
- Dough Pizzeria — San Antonio, TX Texas heat meets Italian charm. Dough Pizzeria’s wood-fired pies include a Diavola hot honey option that brings the fire and the flavor. They also pride themselves on locally sourced ingredients and often spotlight sustainable suppliers.
💳 Gift card tip: Check Groupon or GiftCardGranny for deals on local dining experiences in San Antonio.
- The Vegan Slice — Portland, OR Yes, even plant-based pizza joints are getting in on the hot honey craze. The Vegan Slice uses cruelty-free, spicy agave blends to replicate the signature drizzle — and it's surprisingly spot-on. They also go all-in on compostable packaging and zero-waste dining.
🛒 Try pairing this with a local gift card and support an eco-first business model.
🧠 Why the USA is Obsessed with Hot Honey Pizza So, why is this flavor combo exploding now?
It hits the dopamine trifecta: Salty, sweet, and spicy stimulate different parts of the palate — and brain.
It’s Instagrammable: That shiny drizzle gets people drooling online.
It’s DIYable: Hot honey is an easy upgrade at home — even for frozen pizza nights.
It aligns with foodie values: Local honey, sustainable sourcing, and minimal ingredients make this a trend with staying power.
🌱 A Word on Eco-Packaging (Because Pizza Boxes Matter) We often forget that food trends have packaging consequences. Luckily, several of the restaurants above are shifting to eco-friendly boxes, compostable liners, and biodegradable utensils. Some are even part of larger movements toward zero-waste takeout or carbon-neutral kitchens.
Next time you order pizza to-go, check if the restaurant:
Uses plant-based plastics
Offers compostable pizza boxes
Participates in recycling programs
It’s one more reason to feel good about your slice — beyond just the flavor.
🛍️ How to Gift (or Treat Yourself to) Hot Honey Pizza Want to jump on the trend or treat a friend without booking a flight to Brooklyn?
✅ Try this: Send a restaurant gift card for a hot honey pizza spot via Restaurant.com, UberEats, or local eateries.
Buy local — support your city’s food scene with hot honey-friendly spots.
Use gift cards as foodie rewards on your blog or social media to engage readers.
🎁 Affiliate Tip: Promote gift cards as the perfect foodie gift — birthday, thank you, or "you need to try this slice" energy.
💬 Final Slice: Is It Worth the Buzz? Yes. Whether you're a seasoned pizza lover or just snack-curious, hot honey pizza brings the flavor — and it's here to stay. It’s the kind of trend that doesn’t feel faddish. Why? Because it’s built on balance. Heat and sweet. Trendy and timeless.
And with restaurants leaning into sustainable practices, trying hot honey pizza isn’t just a treat — it’s a tasteful step forward.