Iconic Minnesota Mexican-Pizza Place Now a Top 15 Favorite in Entire World

Tucked away in the charming town of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, there’s a pizza spot that locals and visitors can’t get enough of.

This unique restaurant, famous for blending Mexican and Italian flavors in the most delicious way, has just been named among some of the world's most favorite pizza places by the New York Times.

NYT asked their readers what their favorite pizza place is and said they received thousands of responses from all over the world.

As recommendations poured in from Lithuania to Australia to St. Petersburg, Fla., it was clear we struck a chord. We combed through over a thousand responses, recapping the experiences of readers’ favorite slices, nostalgic pies and of course, their version of “the best.” - NYT

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Zorbaz Pizza in Detroit Lakes, MN Named NYT Top 15 Worldwide Favorite

After narrowing down the best submissions, the original Zorbaz on the Lake in Detroit Lakes, MN was one of four pizza places in the U.S. to make NYT's list of favorite pizza places around the world.

This extremely popular and iconic restaurant is known for its laid-back atmosphere with quirky and eclectic decor, and of course, very unique specialty pizzas you're not likely to find anywhere else.

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The "Lowden Zpecial" is the pie specifically mentioned by the person who submitted the review to NYT, Conor Rayl of Las Vegas. At first glance, this pizza looks like your standard pepperoni and jalapeño pie, but a closer look and taste reveals a peanut butter base instead of pizza sauce.

Reviewers of the Lowden Zpecial on the Zorbaz website confirm the pizza's status as an instant favorite calling it "So weird but so good!" and "Best Za I've had in my entire life. I can die a happy man now."

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According to the Alexandria Echo Press, the Lowden is named after its creator Kenny Lowden, an employee of the restaurant, and was first only available to people who knew about it and requested it. The popular pie became a permanent addition to the menu at Zorbaz in the late 1980s.

The peanut butter base of the Lowden is accompanied by Zorbaz pizza sauce at some locations but not at the original Zorbaz in Detroit Lakes, they have stuck with the original recipe.

Zorbaz has been a staple in Minnesota since its founding in 1969, and it has grown into a chain with eleven locations all on lakes across the state.

The Three other pizza places in the U.S. that made NYT's list are:

🍕 Hideaway Pizza in Stillwater, OK

🍕 Mineo's Pizza House in Pittsburgh, PA

🍕 Victorio's in Alliance, OH