Florida Pizzeria Faces Criticism Over Iguana Pizza

A pizzeria in Florida is stirring up controversy after introducing iguana pizza to its menu amid a cold snap causing the reptiles to drop from trees.

Buck’s Coal-Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach has decided to stop offering iguana as a topping following a wave of complaints directed at the health department.

This month, the restaurant shared a video that quickly gained popularity, showing a sizable piece of iguana being placed on pizza dough and baked in the oven.

Owner Frankie Cecere recalled a conversation with a friend who suggested introducing iguana meat to the menu, and he jumped at the idea.

The concept gained traction when iguanas began falling from trees due to the cold weather, as these reptiles usually become immobile in lower temperatures.

Despite the mixed reactions, Cecere noted that they received “about 1,500 calls asking for iguana pizza,” indicating it drew significant interest.

However, due to health complaints and concerns about animal welfare, Buck’s Coal-Fired Pizza has opted to remove iguana from the menu.

Cecere said they received a report of a live iguana that led to suspicions of animal cruelty, although he assured there were no live iguanas at the restaurant.

His understanding was that the iguana meat fell under the “catch-and-cook” category, but now they are navigating regulatory issues surrounding its sale.

While iguanas are considered an invasive species in Florida, and catching them typically doesn’t require a permit, Cecere pointed out there seem to be no clear laws governing the process.

Interestingly, another Florida TikToker had a similar idea, opting to create iguana tacos from frozen reptiles instead, which also went viral.