Iguana Pizza
A South Florida pizzeria may soon serve an unusual new pizza topping: iguana meat. Bucks Coal Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach gained national attention after a video showing the preparation of what the restaurant calls the Everglades Pie went viral. The pizza, topped with iguana, venison, bacon, and cheese, drew millions of views and sparked a wide range of reactions on social media.
Cold Snap Creates Opportunity
The unusual pizza idea emerged following a rare cold snap in South Florida that left many invasive green iguanas cold‑stunned and incapacitated. This phenomenon occurs when temperatures drop low enough that the reptiles lose mobility, sometimes falling from trees. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission temporarily waived permit requirements to remove these cold‑stunned iguanas, allowing locals to collect them from neighborhoods.
From Experiment to Potential Menu Item
After collecting iguanas, a content creator collaborated with Bucks Coal Fired Pizza to feature the meat in a one‑off video demonstration. The restaurant has stated it is open to adding iguana pizza permanently if it can source the meat from approved suppliers and ensure proper food safety standards. For now, the pizza remains an experimental item, though the viral response has encouraged the restaurant to consider its future potential.
Cultural Context and Reactions
Iguana meat is commonly consumed in parts of Mexico and Central America, often compared in flavor to frog legs with a slightly sweet taste. In Florida, public reactions to the idea of iguana pizza have been mixed—some viewers express fascination or amusement, while others react with discomfort. Regulatory and food-safety considerations remain significant, as selling iguana meat requires an approved vendor and compliance with health codes before restaurants can offer it to the public.
A Culinary Reflection of Florida’s Wildlife
Whether or not iguana pizza becomes a permanent menu item, the viral trend highlights Florida’s unique wildlife challenges and the creativity that can emerge from them. The Everglades Pie has become a symbol of inventive culinary experimentation, turning a local ecological event into a nationwide conversation about food, culture, and curiosity.
