Best Thing I Ate: Just Pizza’s Filipino Breakfast Pie Is Next-Level Delicious

Despite its almost universal appeal, pizza is often subjugated to the fast-food subtype (and yes, I too will scarf down a slice from a late-night spot after a beer too many), but as a pizza fanatic, I stand firm that a pie can reach sublime heights. It’s not just an easily accessible food—it’s a dish that can and should be mastered. And East Van’s Just Pizza is doing exactly that.

Just Pizza’s crust is undoubtedly the rock star here: sourdough gives it a distinct chew while maintaining a structure that allows for some creative toppings (including crust-only additions like spicy honey and cheese powder). Chef Steven Che honed his craft at Michelin-starred restaurants abroad and has brought his skills home with a range of well executed classics like pepperoni and Hawaiian, but his adventurous pizzas are the real draw—and the best in that bunch is the Filipino Breakfast ($23). A garlic white sauce base is topped with mozzarella, longganisa (Filipino sweet sausage), sliced jalapenos, pickled red onions, fried garlic, scallions and a sunny-side-up egg. Despite all the ingredients, it’s not overloaded; in fact, everything appears to be placed with impeccable care. The resulting slice is savoury, spicy, garlic-forward and, when paired with Just Pizza’s Nashville hot chili crisp, the best ’za I’ve eaten in years. 1629 Kingsway, justpizzaplease.ca