February 9 was already going to be a big day for pizzerias thanks to the Super Bowl. However, it also happens to be National Pizza Day as well, giving pie lovers another reason to grab a slice or two that day.
BetKentucky.com took a lunch break on Kentucky sports betting and used Google Trends to rank the top five pizza toppings in Kentucky. We ranked the top five toppings based on search interest scores from a search conducted over the past year on January 23, 2025.
Top Five Pizza Toppings In Kentucky
Rank | Toppings | Search Interest Score |
1 | Cheese | 67 |
2 | Pepperoni | 25 |
3 | Margherita | 10 |
T-4 | Sausage | 3 |
T-4 | Veggie | 3 |
Cheese being Kentuckians’ favorite topping is not an upset at all. What is a pizza without cheese? Yes, there are cheeseless pizza recipes out there, but like a cauliflower crust, it just doesn’t seem right.
Kentucky’s Connections To Pizza
The Bluegrass State may be better known for bourbon and fried chicken, but it has a few tie-ins with pizza as well. Yum! Brands, the parent company of Pizza Hut, has its corporate headquarters in Louisville. Pizza Hut is the nation’s second-largest US chain by revenue, according to Statista.
Louisville is also home to the fourth-largest chain, Papa Johns. John Schnatter founded the company 40 years ago in nearby Jeffersonville, Ind. The company eventually moved its headquarters to Louisville a few years later.
Where To Go For Kentucky Pizza
Besides the corporate chains, the state has several local and regional operators that know how to make a good pie. Here’s our recommendations on where to get a pie in various parts of Kentucky.
Derby City Pizza – Louisville: There are several great local chains in Louisville, but Derby City tops the list. Besides traditional pizzas, like meat lovers, Derby City also offers “Southern Style” pies, including BBQ chicken and buffalo chicken.
PieTana – Lexington: Looking for something unique? PieTana offers a couple specialty pizzas featuring smoked brisket. There’s also one that uses beer cheese, a Kentucky staple.
Pizza By The Pound – Western Kentucky: A mainstay in Paducah for more than 30 years, Pizza By The Pound offers both traditional and deep dish pies. It’s also known for its eight-pound pizza, which comes with a honey dipping sauce for the crust.
Giovanni’s – Eastern Kentucky: A longtime staple of the region, this chain got its start in Ashland nearly 60 years ago. Now, it has nearly 100 locations across six states.
Bourbon House Pizza – Northern Kentucky: Started by a Chicago native who moved to the region, Bourbon House now has two locations. The menu includes a mac n’ cheese pizza and a chicken parm. Those, and others, are available in deep dish. Appetizers include potato skin pizzas with mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese and bacon.
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Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
