Depraved Mushroom – Scranton, PA

Small Pizza from Depraved Mushroom in Scranton, PA.

Pizzeria Born Out of Pandemic Has Small Footprint and Good Technique

Depraved Mushroom is a more moderen pizzeria in Scranton that I’ve been receiving a excessive quantity of phrase of mouth suggestions about for the higher a part of a yr or so.  It is a small, takeout solely pizzeria presently with restricted hours, so it took me a while to get there so the suggestions from individuals not solely endured, however grew louder over time.  This was fascinating to me as a result of Depraved Mushroom has no social media presence and doesn’t promote (to my information).  It left me questioning, how may a brand new pizzeria with restricted public outreach have such a robust “underground” or “grassroots” following?

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 simply off interstate 81.  From what I am instructed, 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 may be very easy – you’ll be able to select from a small or giant pizza, and a alternative of pepperoni, onion, mushroom, or additional 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 high.  The crust gave the impression to be coated in semolina and was cooked to a pleasant golden brown perfection.  The fiercely vibrant pink sauce swirl was mesmerizing on high – a clean and wealthy textured sauce which wound it is method across the properly cooked yellow cheese.  I took my first chew 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 individuals love this explicit sauce.  The cheese, I presume was cheddar, or a mix that included cheddar however I could not be sure.  The crust was tender, flavorful, mild, 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.

When it comes to beginning a brand new enterprise throughout a pandemic, I discover this straightforward but elegant strategy to menu development, overhead, and scheduling to be good!  In unsure instances with provide chain points, labor shortages, and unknown variables associated to the pandemic I believe this (presumably) low overhead, simplified operation with phrase of mouth promoting and an inexpensive, 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 once only a Dunmore and Luzerne County factor (with some exceptions, in fact), 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 am going to additionally add that just one particular person making the pizza permits for excessive high quality management and a constant product.  Each Depraved Mushroom pizza image that individuals have despatched to me has regarded the identical.  Similar form, similar swirl, and baked the identical method each time.  Persistently high quality product retains individuals coming again.

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

The Rankings

Pizza Ordered: Small Spherical Pizza
Worth: $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