I recently found a text-only backup of an old review blog I used to have back until I got too busy for it in 2015. This is a retrospective of the now-defunct The Mad Moose restaurant in Yarraville, Victoria + my old review draft from 2015 that I never published until now.
What was The Mad Moose Pizza Restaurant?
If my memory serves me right, this Yarraville pizza restaurant started as a Mojo’s Weird Pizza and then went independent. Both of these pizza restaurants were famous for great pizzas with unusual toppings and boy were they great. It was located at 61 Anderson Street Yarraville right near Yarraville train station. It was around for 10 years and closed in August 2017.
By unusual pizza toppings, I mean things like Peking duck, corn chips, banana, broccoli, couscous, satay sauce, brown sugar etc. That is not the recipe of a particular pizza they offered, but it sure sounds like one.
I’m lucky to work near Port Melbourne Mojo’s Weird Pizza, so I can still have similar unusual pizzas, but their menu seems to be a lot simpler than the massive offering The Mad Moose had.
Living in Werribee, The Mad Moose was a bit far away to be my regular pizza place, so I only got to go there on special occasions like birthdays.
Here’s a terrible photo with my friends back in 2015, I believe this was part of my original article draft and possibly the last time I went, at least according to Facebook.
As well as Pizza, they also served pasta, salads, desserts including Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and also alcohol. They delivered locally for $3.50 and to Docklands for $5.
The Mad Moose Menu
For those who miss these pizzas and want to try and make them at home or relive the memories. Their menu was split into The Madness, which were the interesting pizzas, The Basics, The Classics and Dessert Pizza which are also interesting. I’ll include these grouped together. This is all copy/pasted and reformatted from a PDF of their menu from 2014, plus a few bonus pizzas I saw on their Facebook. All photos are saved from their Facebook page.
Here is a THE_MAD_MOOSE_Delivery_Menu if you want to relive the magic for yourself.
The Madness
These really were the main attraction, these are the weird pizzas exclusive to this restaurant. Some are very similar to the ones at Mojo’s Weird Pizza but the names are different.
$13 Small, $19.50 Medium, $24.50 Large
The Mad Moose
Napoli sauce, hot salami, ham, tasty cheese, onion, mushroom, green capsicum, pineapple, bacon, kalamata olives.
Istanbul
Cranberry sauce, tasty cheese, macadamias, turkey and brie.
Chees-us Christ, Superstar
(Left side)
Garlic, tasty cheese, caramelised onion, walnuts, cream cheese, bocconcini and blue vein cheese. topped with roquette, parmesan and balsamic dressing.
F.I.G.J.A.M
Touch of garlic, Napoli sauce, Spanish onion, tasty cheese, prosciutto, asparagus and fig jam.
Katy Peri-Peri
Tasty cheese, onion, zucchini, fresh tomato, plump chicken breast. topped with lettuce and drizzled with mayo and peri-peri sauce.
Houdini
(Houdini is on left – right is Cyclops)
Napoli sauce, garlic, caramelised onion, tasty cheese, roasted pumpkin, broccoli and bocconcini. topped with pesto and pine nuts.
Parma sutra
Napoli sauce, mixed herbs, tasty cheese, chicken parmigiana, rich tomato sauce, fetta, bacon and more cheese. topped with basil.
Oasis
Garlic, Napoli sauce, tasty cheese, Spanish onions, roasted red capsicum, green capsicum, diced tomato, falafel and a sprinkle of chilli. Topped with tzatziki.
B’sketti
Napoli sauce, garlic, tasty cheese, spaghetti, bolognese sauce, topped with parmesan cheese.
Zorro
Sun-dried tomato pesto, tasty cheese, zucchini, Spanish onion, marinated artichoke, chorizo sausage, bacon and fetta. topped with fresh parsley.
M’Rockin
Tasty cheese, couscous, Spanish onion, roasted red capsicum and Moroccan lamb. topped with mint yoghurt.
The Three Amigos
Beef chilli con carne, tasty cheese, diced tomato and green capsicum. topped with sour cream and salsa.
Prawn Star
Garlic butter, tasty cheese, marinated king prawns. topped with fresh Spanish onion, parsley and lemon.
Des-pear-ado
Napoli sauce, walnuts, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, prosciutto, poached pear and blue-vein cheese. Topped with basil.
Jakarta
Satay sauce, peanuts, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, roasted red capsicum, pineapple and satay chicken. topped with coriander and spring onion.
Return of the Killer Tomatoes
(this picture is a guess)
Napoli sauce, garlic, tasty cheese, Roma tomato wedges marinated in garlic, basil and sun-dried tomato oil, bocconcini. Topped with basil.
Spudnik
Tasty cheese, scalloped potato with garlic and rosemary, topped with sour cream and spring onion. Try with bacon.
Chicken Licken
(half Chicken Licken, half 3 Amigos)
BBQ sauce, tasty cheese, onion, green capsicum, pineapple, bacon, chicken breast and sesame seeds.
Monkey Magic
Sweet chilli sauce, tasty cheese, banana, double bacon, cream cheese, chilli flakes and brown sugar.
Fire in the Hole
Napoli sauce, triple chilli, hot salami, tasty cheese onion, diced tomato, triple jalapenos, fetta, cracked pepper drizzled with tabasco sauce.
Plucka
Plum sauce, tasty cheese, Peking duck breast, topped with cucumber, carrot and coriander.
Purple Haze
Sun-dried tomato pesto, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, roasted red capsicum, crispy eggplant topped with basil. Try with fetta.
McPizza
Special sauce, beef balls, tasty cheese, onions, fresh tomato, bacon, and sesame seeds.
Oceans Eleven
Napoli sauce, garlic, tasty cheese, fresh tomato, king prawns, scallops, sesame seeds. topped with fresh parsley, spring onions and lemon zest.
Veg Out
Napoli sauce, garlic, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, mushrooms, roasted pumpkin and red capsicum, fetta, olives sprinkled with chilli. topped with fresh basil.
Salmon Rushdie
Dill mustard sauce, tasty cheese, capers, smoked salmon, cream cheese. topped with fresh Spanish onions and dill. try with sour cream.
Athena
Napoli sauce, tasty cheese, Spanish onions, zucchini, red capsicum, marinated artichokes, kalamata olives, fetta. topped with fresh parsley.
Cyclops
Napoli sauce, tasty cheese, onion, diced tomato, lamb – marinated in rosemary, garlic and sundried tomato oil topped with lettuce and tzatziki.
Lumberjack
BBQ sauce, hot salami, ham, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, bacon, chicken breast and sesame seeds. with optional smokey bbq sauce
El Nacho
Salsa sauce, corn chips, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, fresh tomato, jalapenos, cream cheese. topped with sour cream and guacamole.
Taj Mahal
Napoli sauce, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, roasted red capsicum, tandoori chicken breast. Topped with tzatziki and fresh parsley. Try with jalapenos.
Matador
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Napoli sauce, hot salami, tasty cheese, Spanish onions, roasted red and fresh green capsicum, bacon and jalapenos.
Lord of the Rings
Smoky BBQ sauce, cheese, mushrooms, roast beef and onion rings. Topped with fresh parsley and garlic aioli.
The next few are pizzas that came and went – either due to popularity, questionable names or cost to produce (Eg. pork belly is expensive).
Urban Turban
Saffron butter, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, roasted red capsicum, vindaloo beef and chickpeas, topped with fresh chilli and parsley.
Magic Mushroom
Garlic butter, tasty cheese, Spanish onion, sliced mushroom, seasonal chunky mushroom, blue vein cheese, sesame seeds and cracked pepper. Topped with fresh parsley.
Sikh Sense
Tasty cheese, Spanish onion, chicken schnitzel, curry sauce and roasted red capsicum. Topped with fresh parsley.
Porky Pie
Tasty cheese, apple sauce, baked parmesan, polenta and pork belly. Topped with Vietnamese Coleslaw.
Captain Caveman
BBQ sauce, garlic, tasty cheese, beef ball, onion, mushroom, bacon, bocconcini, sesame seeds and cracked pepper. Topped with fresh parsley.
Remon Chicken
Lemon sauce, cheese, Spanish onion, green capsicum, crispy chicken, topped with spring onions and lemon zest.
Dessert Pizza
$15 Small, $20 Medium, $25 Large.
Jaffa the Hut
Choc-orange ganache, dark chocolate buttons. Topped with crushed jaffas and orange, dusted with icing sugar and drizzled with chocolate sauce.
Freckle Pop
Nutella, chocolate buttons and double coconut. Topped with coco pops, cinnamon, drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with 100s and 1,000s.
Pav-Lover
Vanilla custard, white chocolate buttons, banana and pavlova meringue. topped with golden syrup and passion fruit sauce.
Original Sin
Choc-peanut sauce, fudge brownies, dark and white chocolate buttons. smothered with a choc-peanut ganache.
American Pie
vanilla custard, smothered with stewed cinnamon apple, caked with biscuit crumble. dusted with icing sugar.
Afterglow
Vanilla slice, drizzled with golden syrup, mixed berries and dusted with icing sugar.
Choc-Chimp
Nutella, coconut, banana, dark and white chocolate buttons, marshmallows, drizzled in chocolate sauce
and dusted with icing sugar.
Ras-Barry White
Raspberry sauce, cheesecake, white chocolate buttons, dusted with icing sugar.
Choc rock
Nutella, peanuts, chocolate buttons, raspberry lollies, marshmallows, coconut, drizzled with chocolate sauce
and dusted with icing sugar.
The Classics
Even their regular, run off the mill pizza flavours were loaded with toppings. I don’t know why you’d come to The Mad Moose for a regular pizza flavour, but I guess these were good for those who are not adventurous.
$11.50 Small, $17.50 Medium, $22 Large.
Yarra Villain
Napoli sauce, hot salami, tasty cheese, onion, mushroom, green capsicum, kalamata olives.
Pepperoni
Napoli sauce, hot salami, tasty cheese, more hot salami.
Mexican
Mexican pizza (Top left) McPizza (Bottom left) Half Parma Sutra, Half Oceans Eleven (Bottom right)
Napoli sauce, hot salami, tasty cheese, onion, green capsicum, fresh tomato, jalapenos, sprinkled with chilli.
Capricciossa
Napoli sauce, ham, tasty cheese, mushroom, kalamata olives (anchovies optional).
Hawaiian
Napoli sauce, ham, tasty cheese, pineapple. vegetarian Napoli sauce, garlic, tasty cheese, onion, mushroom,
green capsicum, kalamata olives. topped with parsley.
Aussie
Napoli sauce, ham, tasty cheese, egg. add some bacon for that real Aussie flavour!
American
Napoli sauce, hot salami, tasty cheese, onion, fresh tomato. topped with parsley
The Basics
It seems like a bit of a waste of time getting a basic pizza at The Mad Moose, but I guess these were good for fussy kids or those on a budget.
$10.50 Small, $15.50 Medium, $19 Large.
Margherita
Napoli sauce, tasty cheese, fresh tomato. topped with parsley.
Garlic Pizza
Garlic, mixed herbs and tasty cheese.
The Mad Moose Interior Photos
The venue itself was pretty cool. Here are some photos from archived versions of their old websites and their Facebook.
Here you can see the bar.
The main dining area of the Mad Moose.
A weird moose on the wall that was likely the titular “mad moose”
Front of the bar.
The menu curved up the wall.
They had an arcade machine in the waiting area.
The front door with a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream sign.
This might be Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
I never ate outside, but here’s what it looked like.
Ahead you can see the area where I was seated in the group photo.
Pizza Boxes
My Old Review from 2015
Note – the photos have been lost to time.
The Mad Moose in Yarraville is definitely a pizza restaurant worth checking out. It is difficult to compare to other pizza restaurants I’ve reviewed so far as this place is far from your traditional pizza restaurant.
Whilst most pizza restaurants try and keep things authentic Italian, The Mad Moose tries to be the complete opposite basing its pizza on different meals and cultures. Also, the names of many of the pizzas are puns.
Here are some examples:
- McPizza is a pizza that is designed to taste like a Big Mac from McDonald’s. It has bacon, beef balls, fresh tomato, onion, sesame seeds, special sauce, tasty cheese.
- El Nacho has all the typical ingredients you’d find in nachos, including corn chips, cream cheese, fresh tomato, guacamole, jalapenos, salsa sauce, sour cream, Spanish onion, tasty cheese.
- Plucka (as in, Plucka Duck from Hey Hey it’s Saturday) is Peking duck breast, carrot, coriander, cucumber, plum sauce, tasty cheese.
- Monkey Magic has banana, brown sugar, chilli flakes, cream cheese, double bacon, sweet chilli sauce, tasty cheese.
Here’s a photo of myself with a group of friends at the Mad Moose last time I went, which was a few months ago now. This place is great for group dinners because choosing which pizza you’re going to try is half the fun. Then actually trying the different pizzas is the other half of the fun. If you’re lucky your friends will let you trade slices. It might be good to try and order a few to share, in case you end up choosing something you don’t like. Some of the flavour combinations are rather creative and it isn’t going to be for everyone.
Here’s what I ordered, half Plucka, half McPizza. I’m not sure I made the right choice but I’d been craving Peking duck for a while now. It’s definitely better in the traditional way but trying it on a pizza was interesting. The McPizza was probably the better of the two.
The Lord of the Rings has cracked pepper, garlic aioli, mushroom, onion rings, roast beef, smokey BBQ sauce, tasty cheese. I really want to try this one next time I go, it looked amazing. This photo doesn’t really do it justice.
I think half of this is the B’Sketti which is Napoli sauce, garlic, tasty cheese, spaghetti, bolognese sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese.
Overall I recommend this place as a fun meal for a group of friends or even a date. It’s worth multiple visits. Some pizzas are better than others but figuring out which are the best ones is what makes it fun.
The small size pizzas are about $14 and the large size pizzas are about $26 each so don’t go in thinking it will be cheap.
The Mad Moose address: 61 Anderson St, Yarraville
