Paisa’s Cheeseburger and Pizza Cheeseburger both take the same starting point — a plain beef patty — in two completely different directions. One adds a second protein and real heat. The other borrows its flavor from an entirely different dish on our menu.
Here’s exactly what’s in each one, why they don’t really compete with each other despite both costing more than a plain cheeseburger, and how to decide which one you want.
Our complete burger guide covers all seven burgers we make. This is a closer, side-by-side look at these two specifically, since they take the most different approaches to the same question: how do you make a cheeseburger more than a cheeseburger?
Paisa’s Cheeseburger vs. Pizza Cheeseburger at a Glance
| Paisa’s Cheeseburger | Pizza Cheeseburger | |
|---|---|---|
| Added to base patty | Ham, provolone cheese, jalapeños | Mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce |
| Extra protein | Yes (ham) | No |
| Heat | Spicy (jalapeños) | None |
| Flavor direction | Smoky, savory | Italian, tomato-forward |
| Price | $8.75 | $7.50 |
Paisa’s Cheeseburger: A Second Protein, Plus Heat
The Paisa’s Cheeseburger is our signature build: a beef patty topped with ham, provolone cheese, and jalapeños. It’s the only burger on our menu that adds a second protein rather than just more toppings or condiments.
Ham on a beef burger is a real departure from how the rest of the burger menu is built. Every other burger we make, from the plain Hamburger up through the Double Cheeseburger, sticks to beef and standard toppings. Paisa’s Cheeseburger is the one exception, layering a second meat directly onto the patty instead.
Provolone is also the sharpest cheese used on any of our burgers — every other cheeseburger on the menu uses a milder melting cheese. It holds its own against the ham and jalapeños rather than disappearing into the mix, which is likely why it’s the one used here instead of American or cheddar.
Jalapeños round it out with real heat, the same way they do on our Paisa’s Cheese Steak. Between the extra protein, the sharper cheese, and the added heat, this is the most heavily modified burger we make relative to the plain base.
Pizza Cheeseburger: Borrowed Flavor, Not Extra Protein
The Pizza Cheeseburger takes a completely different approach: mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce on the same beef patty, with no added protein and no heat at all. It’s essentially our pizza flavor, transplanted onto a burger.
That’s a genuinely different strategy from Paisa’s Cheeseburger. Instead of adding a second protein and building heat, the Pizza Cheeseburger swaps out the standard cheese and condiments for two ingredients borrowed wholesale from an entirely different dish. Our Pizza Steak cheesesteak uses the identical trick — mozzarella and marinara standing in for a sandwich’s usual toppings.
Because nothing is added beyond cheese and sauce, it’s also a lighter modification than Paisa’s Cheeseburger, both in what changes about the sandwich and in price. If you like pizza flavor but want it in burger form without turning the whole thing into a heavier, multi-protein build, this is the more direct route there.
The Same Beef Patty Underneath
It’s worth remembering that both of these start from the exact same place: a beef patty, cooked to order, on a fresh bun. Every burger we make shares that same base — there’s no protein swap to think about the way there is on our cheesesteaks or hoagies.
That’s part of why these two feel so different despite starting identically. Paisa’s Cheeseburger builds outward from the patty by adding an entire second protein and heat. Pizza Cheeseburger builds outward by swapping in a different cuisine’s flavor entirely. Neither one changes the patty itself — the transformation happens entirely in what gets layered on top of it, which is really the whole story of how our burger menu works. Every variation, from the plain Hamburger to these two, is the same starting point pushed in a different direction.
Why the Price Gap Actually Makes Sense Here
Paisa’s Cheeseburger costs $8.75; Pizza Cheeseburger costs $7.50 — a $1.25 difference. Unlike some of our other menu comparisons, this gap tracks logically with what’s actually added. Paisa’s Cheeseburger includes an entire second protein on top of the beef patty; Pizza Cheeseburger only swaps the cheese and adds a sauce, with no extra protein at all.
That makes this pair a useful contrast to keep in mind: more ingredients and an added protein command a higher price here, the way you’d expect. It’s a different pattern from comparisons elsewhere on our menu where a more loaded item is sometimes priced lower — here, the price actually reflects what’s on the burger.
Pros and Cons of Each
| Cheeseburger | Best For | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Paisa’s Cheeseburger | Second protein, real heat, sharper cheese | Highest price on the burger menu |
| Pizza Cheeseburger | Pizza flavor, lighter modification, lower price | No added protein or heat |
Which One Should You Order?
If you want a heartier burger with a second protein, sharper cheese, and real heat, order Paisa’s Cheeseburger. If you want pizza flavor on a burger without adding weight or spice, order the Pizza Cheeseburger.
These two aren’t really competing for the same craving, which makes the decision more about what you’re in the mood for than a head-to-head trade-off. If you’re torn between wanting a cheesesteak-style bite and a pizza-style bite, but want it in burger form either way, that’s exactly the choice these two represent.
If you’re ordering for a group and don’t know what everyone wants, these two also cover a lot of ground between them. Paisa’s Cheeseburger works for anyone who wants a heavier, spicier order closer to a loaded sandwich. Pizza Cheeseburger works for anyone who wants something familiar and Italian-leaning without committing to an actual pizza or cheesesteak. Between the two, you’re covering both ends of what our menu does outside of a straightforward burger.
See the rest of our burgers, including the Bacon Cheese Burger and Cheeseburger Deluxe, in our complete burger guide, or read our Paisa’s Cheese Steak vs. Classic Philly Cheese Steak comparison if you’re curious how the jalapeño version works on a cheesesteak instead of a burger.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the difference between Paisa’s Cheeseburger and Pizza Cheeseburger?
- Paisa’s Cheeseburger adds ham, provolone cheese, and jalapeños to the beef patty. Pizza Cheeseburger adds mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce, with no extra protein or heat.
- Which cheeseburger is spicier?
- Paisa’s Cheeseburger, thanks to the jalapeños. The Pizza Cheeseburger has no added heat.
- Does the Pizza Cheeseburger taste like pizza?
- Yes — it’s built with the same mozzarella and marinara combination used on our Pizza Steak cheesesteak, giving it a pizza-forward flavor on a burger patty.
- Why does Paisa’s Cheeseburger cost more than the Pizza Cheeseburger?
- Paisa’s Cheeseburger adds a full second protein (ham) along with a sharper cheese and jalapeños, while the Pizza Cheeseburger only swaps the cheese and adds sauce. The $1.25 price difference reflects that extra protein.
- Is Paisa’s Cheeseburger the only burger with a second protein?
- Yes — every other burger on our menu uses beef only. Paisa’s Cheeseburger is the one build that adds ham on top of the patty.
- Do both burgers use the same beef patty?
- Yes — every burger we make, including both of these, starts from the same beef patty. The differences come entirely from what’s added on top.
A second protein and real heat, or pizza flavor on a bun.