Walking into Peppes Pizza, I immediately got a sense of warmth and friendly hospitality. Their menu, obviously geared towards American style food drew me in, with offerings available for lunch, snacks, and dinner. On their menu, I noticed the iconic American-style pizzas, decadent burgers, and of course, the ever tempting fried chicken.
Peppes Pizza, located in heart of Oslo, Norway, first opened its doors to Norwegians in 1970. The brainchild of an American couple, Louis Jordan and Anne. They had decided to move to Norway and introduce a culinary delight that was then unheard-of in the quiet country, imagine that! Funnily enough, Anne thought Norwegians would love pizza because they like bread, cheese, and tomatoes. To gain knowledge and experience, Louis Jordan honed his pizzaiolo skills working at "Pepe Pizzeria" in Hartford, Connecticut. The name of the restaurant, "Peppes Pizza Hub," was a tribute to this pizza place back in the US.”
I learned while I was there, that the Oslo location had originally started small, but very quickly grew in popularity. So much so, that they branched out with two more locations, all before becoming a full-fledged national company. Today Peppes Pizza is run by Dely AS, which also operates other renowned restaurant chains in Norway like Starbucks, La Baguette, and TGI Fridays.
What Sets Peppes Pizza Apart?
Peppes Pizza was an absolute revelation to Norway back in 1970 by being the first to introduce them to the cheesy goodness of pizza. While there, I felt the vibe of this pizza joint wasn’t just about being a restaurant, but it exuded tradition. A tradition of bringing American-styled pizza over the pond and turning it into a full meal, rather than just an Italian hors-d'oeuvre. This thoughtfulness created a unique, family-friendly restaurant where both kids and parents can enjoy a hearty meal.
This family-friendly concept remains strong today, as I did notice a designated kids’ play area. Their menu also caters to the kiddos, or items that can be shared amongst the whole family.
Their offerings are many, with American-style pizza being their signature dish. However, they also have some Italian-style options. Peppes Pizza menu tantalizes your tastebuds with categories such as:
- Italian Pizza
- American Pizza
- Starters
- Burgers
- Salads
- Milkshakes and Desserts
- Coffee
- Drinks
- Wine and Beer
- Sauces and Dressings
With all these options, the restaurant offers something for everyone, where families and friends can enjoy a delightful meal from start to finish.
The crème-de-la-crème of Peppes Pizza
While there I decided to try their best-sellers. Here are a few that I found on the menu:
- Classic Chicago
- Freestyle California
- Pure New York
- Margherita
- Four Cheese
- Pure Ham
- Diavola Bianca
- BBQ Chicken
- Beefy Bacon
- Starter Platter
- Lasagna
- Peppes Mini Pizza
- Crunchy Chicken Bites
- Apple Cake and Ice Cream
- Brownies and Ice Cream
- Oreo Dream
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Peppes Pizza is quite inclusive with its menu offerings. Yes, they offer vegan and vegetarian pizzas! Everything on the menu is labeled with color-coded icons to represent gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and spicy food options. Green is for vegetarian items, dark green for vegan options. As a healthy food enthusiast myself, their "Meat-Free Monday" promotion caught my eye where you can get a discount on their veggie and vegan pizzas. Quite a deal don't you think?
Does Peppes Pizza Cater to Kids?
While there's no specific kid's menu, they certainly have kid-friendly offerings. From Onion Rings, Crunchy Chicken Bites, to Pepperoni pizza, and Four Cheese Pizza. The kids also get to indulge their sweet tooth with Brownie and Ice Cream or even a frosty Milkshake.
I also stumbled across the "Oumph!" – their make-your-own-pizza offering, it's a fun, hands-on choice. If a kid isn't satisfied with the options, they can just create their own pizza flavor. How fun is that?
Does Peppes Pizza Offer Delivery?
Yes! Having been among the pioneers of the online ordering scene back in '95 when they launched their menu online, Peppes Pizza very much has online ordering and delivery. You can place your order on their website, through delivery platforms or simply call your nearest location and have it delivered straight to your doorstep or for pick up at the restaurant.
When can you Visit Peppes Pizza?
Peppes Pizza runs from 11 am to 11 pm, providing for all the lunch, snack, dinner, and late-night craving needs to customers all across Norway. However, do keep in mind, operating hours may vary in some locations.
Pros
- Family-friendly
- Wide variety of pizzas
- Vegan and vegetarian options
- Home delivery available
- Comfortable, lively ambiance
Cons
- Could be a bit crowded during peak hours
- Prices may feel a little steep for some
- No specific kid's menu