I'M FROM MILWAUKEE AND I OUGHTA KNOW.

You describe your pizza with C-S-M-O.

We’re all aware of “Milwaukee Style” pizza. The distinction is usually accompanied by terms like “tavern style” and mention of “cracker thin” crust. Some swear the pizza preparations you’re prone to finding in and around Milwaukee are wholly original to the region. Others consider the so-called “style” to be akin to what the rest of the country simply calls “thin crust pizza.”

We—residing firmly in the “sure, it’s a real thing!” camp—are NOT here to debate the merit and veracity of “Milwaukee Style Pizza,” nor are we devoting any time to trying to change any minds on the matter. Instead of fixating on the region’s preferred crust, we wanted to shift focus to what’s on top of many pizzas that are eaten in the greater Milwaukee area. To be clear, we here at Milwaukee Record support absolutely any toppings people decide to put on top of their ‘za. Yes, even pineapple! However, there’s one clear combination of cheese, meat, and vegetables the city goes to more often than any other: Sausage, Mushroom & Onion.

Look closely at yesterday's Pi(e) Day project, and you'll see the C-S-M-O on it, even though home on the range doesn't quite produce that really crunchy risen crust that you can get out of a wood fired brick oven.

It might not be your preferred pie, but it’s safe to say the “S.M.O.” (sometimes also referred to by the cheesier “C.S.M.O.” abbreviation) is far and away the most popular pizza topping combo in the city—just as it has been for pretty much as long as pizza has been served here.

And yes, there is a category called "Milwaukee pizza," although the people who put yellow mustard on their bratwursts claim it's the same thing as their "tavern style" thin crust pies, right down to the pathetic little squares some proprietors partition their products by.  That noted, people coming to Milwaukee whether for Summerfest or a Harley Davidson event or the next investiture of Donald Trump have options for almost all the other styles of pizza somewhere in the metropolitan area.  The Bay View neighborhood might be worth a look as there's a dealer in those large foldable New York street slices as well as a craftsman with the wood-fired brick oven who rates a shout-out.  Visitors whose choice in toppings range from arugula to pineapple do have options, although S.M.O. is the way to go.  Enjoy.