An unusual pizza from Florida has caught attention for an ingredient that rarely appears on restaurant menus: iguana meat. Nicknamed the Everglades Pizza, or the Florida Man Pizza, the dish emerged after a cold snap sent temperatures plunging across South Florida in early 2026. The sudden chill left some iguanas unable to move properly, causing them to lose their grip on trees and fall to the ground.At Bucks Coal Fired in North Palm Beach, Florida, local iguana trapper Ryan Izquierdo teamed up with the restaurant to create the unusual pizza. The result quickly attracted attention online, with reactions ranging from curiosity to outright disgust. But behind the viral food trend lies a bigger story about Florida’s invasive wildlife, unusual weather and the rules governing what restaurants can serve.
What exactly is Everglades or Florida Man Pizza?
The pizza was created at Bucks Coal Fired, where Izquierdo brought iguana meat for an unusual culinary experiment. The restaurant named the creation “The Everglades”, while the collaboration also became known online as the Florida Man Pizza.The toppings included iguana leg and tail meat, venison, bacon, parmesan, olive oil and ranch dressing. It was certainly not an ordinary pizza combination, even for a restaurant willing to experiment with unusual meats.Speaking to PEOPLE, Izquierdo described the iguana meat as tasting similar to frog legs, with a slightly sweet flavour. His reaction helped fuel online curiosity about whether this unusual ingredient could become a talking point in adventurous food culture.
Why did iguanas suddenly start falling from trees?
The unusual pizza story began with a sharp drop in temperatures across South Florida.Green iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, meaning their body temperature depends on their surroundings. When temperatures fall sharply, their movements can slow dramatically. They may become temporarily immobilised and lose their grip on branches.The reptiles are not necessarily dead when they fall. Some can recover when temperatures rise, which is why a motionless iguana should not automatically be assumed to have died.Florida’s invasive green iguana population has long concerned wildlife officials because the animals can damage landscaping, burrows and infrastructure.On January 30, 2026, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued Executive Order 26-03. It temporarily allowed people to transport cold-stunned green iguanas to designated collection sites without a permit on February 1 and 2. The agency later reported collecting 5,195 iguanas through the initiative.ID@undefined Caption not available.
How did an unusual pizza become an internet sensation?
Izquierdo had been trapping iguanas and documenting his work online. He reportedly collected more than 90 on January 30 before collaborating with the restaurant.A video showing the pizza’s preparation spread rapidly across social media. The combination of an unexpected ingredient, an unusual weather event and Florida’s reputation for eccentric viral stories made it particularly shareable.The reaction was divided. Some people were intrigued by the idea of eating an invasive species, while others found the dish unappetising. The story also raised a practical question: just because an animal can legally be removed from the wild, does that mean its meat can automatically be sold as food?
Is iguana pizza still available?
The restaurant’s viral success came with complications. Bucks Coal Fired owner Frankie Cecere told local media that the restaurant received around 1,500 calls about the pizza. It also faced complaints and questions about regulations governing iguana meat.By mid-February 2026, the restaurant had stopped offering the topping while exploring the relevant regulatory requirements. Cecere said he had initially believed the meat could fall under a catch-and-cook approach, but the rules for commercial service were not straightforward.This distinction matters. Invasive species control and food safety are separate issues. Removing an invasive animal does not automatically establish that its meat is suitable for commercial sale or exempt from food-service rules.
What does this unusual food trend really tell us?
The Everglades Pizza is more than a bizarre menu experiment. It shows how a wildlife management problem can become a viral food story almost overnight.Eating unfamiliar animals may attract attention, but novelty alone cannot establish whether a dish is safe or responsibly sourced. Wild-harvested meat requires proper handling, hygiene and compliance with applicable regulations.Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The pizza’s appearance in viral coverage does not establish that iguana meat is approved for commercial sale or safe to consume under all circumstances.
