Pizza Balagan delivers a focused menu centered on robust American-style pizzas characterized by generous toppings and a reliable, crispy crust. The preparation process prioritizes consistent flavor profiles through the use of high-quality ingredients and precise thermal control in specialized ovens. Patrons experience a straightforward environment designed for efficiency and ease, emphasizing the quality of the cooked dough and seasoned sauces. Each pie showcases balanced proportions of melted cheese and savory additions that define standard American culinary traditions. The kitchen maintains high operational standards to ensure every order meets specific texture requirements. This establishment functions as a primary destination for individuals seeking dependable, hearty portions of baked items prepared in a functional and no-nonsense culinary setting. The focus remains strictly on providing substantial, well-crafted food that aligns with classic regional expectations.
Pizza Balagan is widely celebrated as a premier destination for high-quality, New York style pizza in Montreal, standing out for its thin, perfectly crispy yet chewy crust and exceptional fresh ingredients. Visitors frequently praise the menu for its balanced flavors, highlighting signature options like the truffle and honey goat cheese pizzas, all crafted with care and passion. While the establishment primarily focuses on takeout, guests consistently emphasize the professional, welcoming service and the owner's genuine dedication to his craft, making it a beloved hidden gem that offers a truly memorable culinary experience.
Excellent NYC style pizza, technically & visually impressive but it is overhyped. It felt like the sauce was put on too light & it hurts the balance with the cheese.
J'ai choisi la O.G. Balagan(plus classique) très bonne pizza style New yorkais, la croûte, le fromage & la sauce était 👌. Très bon service, situé dans un petit locale, pas trop évident a trouver la première fois. A réessayer absolument! 4.5⭐
I am so disappointed of my experience here... I had great expectations from all the hype, press & reviews this place was getting, so I placed an order for their OG margarita & Capricieuse...
The dough. He allegedly spent 7 years perfecting this as per his interview. The slice did stay straight nicely when holding, the tickness & size of the pizza & crust is overall great. But that's all visual aspect, the moment you bite into it, you get dense bite resistant chew (not the good kind of chewy you'd expect from a pizza), it was gummy. The crust was even worst, it felt like I was eating cardboard. I had a slice at room temp & one re-heated at 425, both gave the same mouth feel. Almost on part with the mouth feel of Dominos...
Sauce. You dont taste it at all, & the cheese is most likely the culprit.
The cheese. The owner is French, & the selection of cheeses he decided on his pizza is clearly influenced by his background. That part is not innately a bad thing, if done right, & I feel like he missed the mark big time on this one. He add a 2 years old Gouda Cheese which add a nutty, funky, salty flavour to the pizza, on the OG Magarita, its not bad, I do see his vision, it adds some depth, but combined with a weak sauce that barely comes forward & a dough that is heavy & dense just does not harmonize.
The Capricieuse was the worst pizza I ever had in my life. On their advertised pictures, it disaplayed a crumbled style goat cheese, what I received seems to be Oka cheese?? See my picture as reference. Nothing like their picture & it was so pungent & funky, it was revolting. You taste NOTHING but that cheese, its too much, as I am writing this, I am starting to think that they did a mistake or might have substituted their goat cheese with whatever this was... I had 2 slices & each bite was just pungent, oily cheese with gummy dough. I had 1 slice & a half & I threw the rest of the pizza in the garbage. I ate at more than 30+ pizza places in Montreal & I never threw an entire pie à la poubelle. The cheese just overwhelmed everything... & I felt scammed to see a pizza with what seems to be the wrong cheese that clearly ruined the pizza.
The French twist to their pizza is just not it. It was heavy & nauseous. It looked like pizza but it was by far from a pizza.
Owner, I need an answer/explanation on my Capricieuse.
The man has the NYC style pizza down pat down. A humble, compact one-man operation led with great spirit. The pizza is of impressive quality, spectacularly crafted dough. I thoroughly enjoyed the truffle mushroom pizza. Doesn't top my local list but makes an impressive mark on it.
Pizza incroyable, vraiment la MEILLEURE pizza New York style que j'ai mangée!
Le chef est super sympa & maîtrise parfaitement le raffinement.👌🏻
Une adresse à ne pas manquer!! ⭐?⭐?⭐?⭐?⭐?
I'm so glad we finally got to try this place & regret not doing so earlier.
I don't know how he gets the dough so thin & crispy while remaining pleasantly chewy ; dare I say this restaurant is now my favorite pizza place! (… sorry Pizza Bouquet, I still love you)
As someone who absolutely loves NY-style pizza, this is right up my alley.
We got the chaos truffé which was a delight.
Hoping to pass by to try the OG pizza sometime soon!