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Transforming pizza from a humble staple dish into a vehicle for outrageous toppings and mind-boggling crust styles is undoubtedly an art form.

Big chains like Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, and KFC have all gotten in on the action, right alongside their mom-and-pop pizzeria counterparts. Whether it’s a fast-food concoction that incorporates a base of fried chicken, one that involves an infusion of unusual substances, or an expensive culinary stunt topped with gold foil, here’s are 12 of the most controversial, unexpected, and bizarre pizzas to grace the earth (and our taste buds).

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Write to Raisa Bruner at raisa.bruner@time.com.

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