Iguana pizza in Florida could soon become a new dish in the southern part of the state, after a video recorded at Bucks Coal Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach reached up to 5 million views on social media.
The idea arose after the recent phenomenon of iguanas paralyzed by the cold in Florida, when temperatures dropped to 30 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, causing these reptiles, considered an invasive species, to become immobile.
Frozen iguanas in Florida inspire viral recipe
The restaurant owner, Frankie Cecere, explained that the idea originated as a culinary experiment. A friend brought three processed iguanas, and the team decided to try a different recipe.
“Iguanas are an invasive problem in Florida. The state wants them to be eliminated”, commented Cecere, noting that, as nature lovers and fishermen, they see the initiative as an alternative to make use of the meat.
The result was a pizza that surprised customers and social media users. The video quickly went viral, driven by the trend of searches about frozen iguanas in South Florida.
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Will iguana pizza be sold in North Palm Beach?
Although iguana pizza is not yet officially available on the menu, the restaurant receives between 50 and 80 calls daily asking if it can be ordered yet.
Andrés Quevedo, an employe of Bucks Coal Fired Pizza, explained that the dish was initially created as creative content for social media, but due to demand, it could become a regular item.
However, before offering it to the public, they must comply with health regulations and state permits to legally process and serve the meat.
Iguanas: invasive species in Florida
Green iguanas are considered an invasive species in Florida, particularly in the southern part of the state and in the Everglades. The authorities allow their capture and slaughter due to the impact they have on infrastructure, vegetation, and local ecosystems.
In countries like Mexico and Central America, iguana meat is part of traditional cuisine, although in Florida it is not common to find it in restaurants.
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Exotic menu: alligator, deer, and soon shark
Culinary creativity is not new at Bucks Coal Fired Pizza. Their menu already features options such as:
- Alligator Pizza
- Deer pizza
- Coming soon: shark pizza
The restaurant is also considering incorporating exotic meats such as wild boar, ostrich, and kangaroo.
Customers who tried the experimental pizza described the iguana meat as similar to chicken, although with a firmer texture.
Gastronomic trend or viral strategy
The combination of a trending topic, iguanas paralyzed by the cold in Florida, with an innovative culinary proposal has placed this North Palm Beach restaurant at the center of the digital conversation.
If its official sale materializes, iguana pizza could become one of the most searched dishes on Google under terms like “where to eat iguana pizza in Florida” or “viral restaurant in Palm Beach”.
