Depraved Mushroom – Scranton, PA

Depraved Mushroom Pizza is situated subsequent to Gerrity’s and Frutas Locas on Meadow Avenue in Scranton.

Depraved Mushroom is tucked away in the identical car parking zone as Gerrity’s Grocery store on Meadow Avenue in the identical constructing as Frutas Locas.  It is a bit tucked away, however simple to get to only off interstate 81.  From what I am informed, and what I noticed, this pizzeria is a one man present which is open solely on weekdays and closed on weekends (at current).  The menu could be very easy – you’ll be able to select from a small or giant pizza, and a alternative of pepperoni, onion, mushroom, or further cheese for toppings.  

Take a look at the hypnotizing sauce swirl on the Depraved Mushroom Pizza.

I ordered a small 10″ cheese pizza which comes customary with the sauce swirl on prime.  The crust seemed to be coated in semolina and was cooked to a pleasant golden brown perfection.  The fiercely vibrant crimson sauce swirl was mesmerizing on prime – a clean and wealthy textured sauce which wound it is means across the properly cooked yellow cheese.  I took my first chunk and was instantly greeted by the intensely candy sauce with some complicated undertones – I even detected a touch of smokiness within the taste profile which made all of it that extra fascinating.  I all the time say I am not an enormous candy sauce fan, however I may undoubtedly see why folks love this explicit sauce.  The cheese, I presume was cheddar, or a mix that included cheddar however I could not make certain.  The crust was tender, flavorful, gentle, and never all that crispy, however crispy sufficient.  General, it was a really fascinating, distinctive, and positively scrumptious pizza that was effectively executed.

Golden brown crust on Depraved Mushroom Pizza in Scranton.

By way of beginning a brand new enterprise throughout a pandemic, I discover this easy but elegant strategy to menu development, overhead, and scheduling to be good!  In unsure occasions with provide chain points, labor shortages, and unknown variables associated to the pandemic I feel this (presumably) low overhead, simplified operation with phrase of mouth promoting and an reasonably priced, distinctive, high quality product that matches a rising, but largely unmet demand for candy sauce pizza within the Scranton and larger Lackawanna County market.  Candy sauce pizza usually was only a Dunmore and Luzerne County factor (with some exceptions, after all), however Lackawanna County has a rising thirst for sugary sauces on their pizza.  

Depraved Mushroom’s menu as of September 2021. Please confer with WM’s web site for present menu.

I will additionally add that just one individual making the pizza permits for excessive high quality management and a constant product.  Each Depraved Mushroom pizza image that folks have despatched to me has seemed the identical.  Identical form, similar swirl, and baked the identical means each time.  Constantly high quality product retains folks coming again.

It is unbelievable the kind of following this distinctive little pizzeria has gained in such a brief period of time, however after attempting the pizza, experiencing the sensible technique first-hand, and listening to the excitement from my readers it actually is not all that stunning in hindsight.  Nice concept, good timing, good execution.  Effectively executed Depraved Mushroom.

The Scores

Pizza Ordered: Small Spherical Pizza
Value: $6.55
Crust: 7.4
Sauce: 7.3
Cheese: 7.3
General Style: 7.4

Crispy/Cooked Correctly: 7.4
General Worth: 7.5
OVERALL RATING: 7.4