For this week’s Off the Beaten Plate, we traveled south of the border by way of Italy with Minksy’s tostada pizza.

The Tostada Pizza at Minsky's, 934 Massachusetts St.

This culinary mash-up starts with a layer of spicy refried bean sauce in lieu of marinara. It’s then piled high with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, plus red onions, tomatoes, lettuce and your choice of hamburger or chicken. In an attempt to be healthy, we went with chicken.

Drizzle a slice with some salsa and dig in. The whole thing is pretty messy, so we’d suggest forgoing pizza etiquette and using a fork.

Where to get it:Minsky’s Pizza, 934 Massachusetts St.

What you’ll pay: $18.08 for a medium, plus tax

Try it with: A little salsa for some heat

Also on the menu: Lots of gourmet or make-your-own pizzas, plus hot sandwiches, salads, calzones and pastas.

— Off The Beaten Plate highlights some of the more exotic, oddly named or inventively concocted dishes from local menus. Know of an offbeat item we should check out? Email reporter Joanna Hlavacek at jhlavacek@ljworld.com. Follow her at Twitter.com/hlavacekjoanna