Blueberry and Bacon Pizza Is a Breakfast Gamechanger

Krispy Tomato Brick Oven Pizza
318 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m

IMAGE Hans Fausto

(SPOT.ph) There’s no better place to open a pizza parlor than along bustling Katipunan Avenue, where you have a steady stream of hungry students wanting to devour pie after pie with their friends. But for Jefferson Chua, owner of Krispy Tomato Brick Oven Pizza, pizza isn’t just any group meal. “Ang pizza special food 'yan,” he says. “Parang cake. 'Pag may birthday, magpapa-deliver ka rin ng pizza."

Manhattan

Blueberry Ricotta

While Jefferson does deliver the classics in his cozy pizza pitstop—his personal favorite from the menu is the Manhattan (P360), with just the right amount of spice from Italian sausage and smoked ham—it’s the flavors that stray from the usual that you’ll want to go for. The Blueberry Ricotta (P380), for one, tastes like breakfast in pizza form. It’s the combination of blueberries and maple syrup on a thin crust that transforms its taste into something like pancakes. Bacon adds to that breakfast feel while also giving a nice savory-smoky contrast to the sweet elements. Almonds add a fun crunch to the mix.

Mango Tango

Jefferson says, “One time nagdala 'yong friend ko ng mango syrup and sabi niya ‘try kaya natin ilagay sa pizza?” It’s a genius idea—there’s something about the fruity sweetness of mangoes that works well with savory food. Their Mango Tango (P360) doesn’t skimp on the fruit, with mango purée and fresh mangoes. Every slice bursts with the mango’s refreshing zest and sweetness, giving the saltier bacon and mozzarella a boost in flavor.

Salmon Gourmet

A combination less outrageous perhaps, but still as delicious, is the Salmon Gourmet (P380), which is rich with umami flavor, from velvety salmon to fresh garlic cloves, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

IMAGE Hans Fausto

IMAGE Hans Fausto

Jefferson’s creative flavor combinations work largely due to their crust—which is what ‘krispy’ refers to in their name. “Medyo crispy 'yong crust,” he says, “Tapos ‘k’ para may konting twist.” They bake their dough fresh daily in their brick oven, and it’s thin enough to give a satisfying crunch, but can still hold a generous layer of toppings.

Spicy Chicken Wings

Garlic Parmesan

Mojos

‘Krispy’ also refers to their Chicken Wings (P170/six pieces, P300/12 pieces), which come in Original, Garlic Parmesan, or Spicy. They are incredibly crunchy, which makes the juicy chicken meat underneath a pleasant surprise. Their Mojos (P70) are amazing too, if only for their sheer size—a piece is almost as big as your palm!

IMAGE Hans Fausto

“Plan ko siyang gawing pizza chain,” he says about his pizza parlor. It’s a lofty goal, but with pizza flavors you wouldn't often see anywhere else, it seems he’s on the right track.

Photos by Hans Fausto