Naked Pizza is opening its first Lafayette location on Arnould Boulevard near Brother's, according to its public relations and marketing coordinator, Ellen Altamirano. In addition to New Orleans, the company has locations in Florida, California and even internationally in Dubai.
Lafayette seemingly has more successful, locally owned restaurants than most other cities. We love our good food, and we don't settle for less. So what makes New Orleans' Naked Pizza a viable addition to the collection of menus we have in our kitchens?
You'll certainly find out for yourself in early March (as will I), the scheduled opening date for Naked Pizza in Lafayette.
What I do know is that Naked Pizza is part of a growing public relations and ethical movement called advocacy branding, the "put up or shut up" marketing attitude. Rather than preach organic or healthful eating, businesses like Naked Pizza are opening with that assumed stance as their credo. Naked Pizza is using the fast food culture to deliver (literally) food that is as good for your body as it is to your palate.
Naked Pizza creates pies with crusts made with whole grains and added probiotics (you've surely heard of probiotics in those yogurt commercials with Jamie Lee Curtis). It eschews processed flours, synthetic cheeses or chemically preserved toppings and sauces for tastier and healthier fare. Naked Pizza even offers a gluten-free pizza crust. You can choose your own toppings or delve into its specialities like the Ragin' Cajun - is it possible to have a Louisiana restaurant without something with that moniker on its menu? - which is sausage, chicken, garlic, bell pepper and onion. On the other end of the spectrum are offerings like Superbiotic pizza, which is topped with artichoke, spinach, peppers, mushroom, garlic, red onion and cilantro. - Anna Purdy