A meat pizza can mean very different things depending on which meats are on it and what else shares the crust. For anyone in Tempe deciding between three common styles (a supreme-style pie, a combination pizza or an Italian sausage pizza), it helps to know what each one brings before placing an order.
This guide uses the specialty pizzas at Red Devil Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria as a reference point. The family-owned restaurant has a Tempe location on West Southern Avenue, and their menu includes one clear example of each style.
What Is in Each of the Three Meat Pizzas?
Each pizza starts with the same base: homemade, hand-tossed dough and the restaurant’s own pizza sauce. The difference is in the toppings.
- Red Devil “Supremo”: pepperoni, chunky sausage, Canadian bacon and hamburger. This is the all-meat option of the three.
- Red Devil Combo: pepperoni, chunky sausage, onions, mushrooms and green peppers. It balances two meats with three vegetables.
- Italian Special: sliced Italian sausage, fresh garlic, fresh Roma tomatoes and green olives. It’s built around a single meat with garlic and briny olives.
All three come in 10-, 14- and 16-inch sizes, so the choice is mostly about flavor rather than portion.
How Do They Taste Different?
The Supremo is the heaviest and most savory. With four meats and no vegetables, every bite is salty, smoky and rich. It suits people who order pizza for the meat first.
The Combo is the middle ground. The onions, mushrooms and green peppers cut through the pepperoni and sausage, which keeps it from feeling as dense. For a group where tastes vary, it’s often the safest single pick.
The Italian Special has the most distinct flavor. Sliced Italian sausage gives a different texture than crumbled sausage, and the fresh garlic and green olives add sharpness. It’s a good choice for someone who finds standard pepperoni pizzas repetitive.
Which One Travels Best for Delivery?
All three hold up for pizza home delivery, but a few details are worth knowing.
- Vegetable-heavy pies release more moisture. The Combo’s mushrooms and peppers can soften the center slightly during a longer drive. Opening the box lid briefly on arrival lets steam escape.
- All-meat pies stay firm. The Supremo’s toppings don’t release much water, so the crust tends to hold its structure.
- Fresh tomatoes and garlic are sturdy. The Italian Special’s toppings hold up well on the drive.
For any delivery order, shorter distances help. Choosing local pizza delivery from a restaurant near home, rather than one across the Valley, usually means a hotter pizza at the door.
How Many Pizzas Should a Group Order?
A practical approach for mixed groups is to order more than one style instead of doubling up on a single pizza. One Supremo plus one Combo covers both the meat-first eaters and those who want vegetables.
For a smaller household, a 10-inch Italian Special alongside a larger Combo adds variety without leaving too much behind. Anyone with a meatless guest can add a white or veggie pizza to the order.
Can the Toppings Be Changed?
Most pizza restaurant menus allow changes, but specialty pizzas often carry an extra charge for substitutions. That’s the case at Red Devil, where swaps on specialty pies are priced separately.
If the goal is a very specific combination, building a pizza from scratch may make more sense. Their build-your-own list includes meats such as pepperoni, chunky and sliced Italian sausage, bacon, sliced meatballs, seasoned ground beef, Canadian bacon, hamburger and chicken.
How Does Pizza Delivery Work in Tempe?
Many pizza places that deliver now rely on third-party apps rather than in-house drivers. Red Devil’s Tempe location works this way: delivery runs through DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats, and they also offer online ordering for pickup.
A few tips make the process smoother:
- Check the restaurant’s listing in the app to confirm which location is filling the order.
- Review the specialty pizza description so toppings match expectations.
- Add notes about building access, especially for ASU-area apartments and gated complexes.
- During Tempe’s hot months, plan to be home when the order arrives so it doesn’t sit outside.
Anyone ready to compare menus can Order pizza delivery from their Tempe location and see the full specialty list.
Which Meat Pizza Should You Pick?
- Choose the Supremo for the most meat in every slice.
- Choose the Combo for a balanced pizza that suits a mixed group.
- Choose the Italian Special for garlic, olives and a different sausage texture.
Whichever one wins, ordering two different styles is the easiest way to keep everyone at the table satisfied.
