The Best American Pizza Chain For Custom Toppings

One of the best things about pizza is how versatile it can be. However, there is a world of difference in options when you're making it at home versus ordering out, and nowhere is that more stark than at some of the largest, most popular chains, like Pizza Hut and Domino's. These joints might try to pretend like they have a plethora of exciting topping choices, but the truth is, what they have on offer is actually quite basic and staid. That is why, when Food Republic ranked American pizza chains from best to worst, we gave the second-place spot to Blaze Pizza (right after Marco's, which we named best in part because of its pepperoni) on account of its high-quality, unconventional pizza toppings.

Blaze Pizza, which first opened in 2012 in Southern California after its two founders came up with the idea a year earlier while dining at a Chipotle, quickly gained a fan following. And it has kept customers coming back over the years, thanks in no small part to the variety of its upscale toppings. While Blaze's menu can vary by location, these toppings typically include classic pizza meats, like pepperoni and sausage, but also applewood bacon, crumbled meatballs, roasted chicken, and smoked ham. Its veggie selection would not look out of place in a good Italian restaurant's kitchen, offering customers their choice of artichokes, roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, cucumbers, and even chickpeas and arugula, plus much more. All this gives Blaze customers the opportunity to create some pretty gorgeous (and tasty) pies. Chickpeas and cucumbers? Pizza Hut and Domino's could never.

As fantastic as its topping selection might be, Blaze Pizza has become beloved among those with dietary restrictions and food allergies, too. It is perhaps one of the most inclusive pizza chains in the country, with several vegan crust offerings, as well as a vegan cheese option, which is great not only for those who don't eat animal products, but also for those with dairy allergies. It even carries a vegan meat option in the form of spicy chorizo that one Redditor called "SO tasty!" Perhaps the best part about all these meat-free options? There is no upcharge for any of them.

Then there's the fact that Blaze hasn't forgotten about our gluten-free friends, either. The chain offers gluten-free crust options, including a Cauliflower Crust (there are, however, upcharges for these specialty crusts). However, it should be noted that Blaze makes no claim to being celiac-safe, and customers with celiac disease or high sensitivity to gluten should consider their dining choices carefully.