Mexican street corn, or elotes, is one of the most beloved Mexican street foods outside of tacos.
Grilled or boiled corn is topped with a bold combination of ingredients which can include salt, chile powder, butter, cotija cheese, lime, mayonnaise, and crema, a Mexican sour cream.
In a stroke of genius, Empire Pizza & Pub has created the elote pizza.
The tomato-less pizza is topped with mozzarella, goat cheese, grilled corn, chipotle mayo, and Tajín.
Grilling the corn brings out a little more sweetness with some smokiness. Goat cheese provides a suitable creamy, tangy substitution for cotija. Chipotle mayo accentuates the earlier flavors, while Tajín and cilantro cut the richness with bright flavors.
It sounds bizarre in comparison to a slice of pepperoni pizza, but it’s magic. Stare into the eyes of skeptical eaters as they take a first bite and raise their eyebrows in delight.
Additionally, clumsy eaters can also rejoice because the slice is much less messy than traditional elotes. No more chile-mayo-cotija mustaches.
The elote pizza was introduced as the February pizza of the month, but unexpected popularity earned it a permanent spot on the menu.
Empire Pizza & Pub is located at 137 Congress St. For more information, call (520) 882-7499 or visit empire.pizza.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
