The best major pizza chain?

quote:

Originally posted by Quartz

Originally posted by Rando



The Pizza **** Franchise is Trifulling here, but when I was in Jacksonville, they had the best pizza I've ever tasted.

The what?

quote:

Originally posted by tfrielin

quote:

Originally posted by Quartz

Originally posted by Rando



The Pizza **** Franchise is Trifulling here, but when I was in Jacksonville, they had the best pizza I've ever tasted.

The what?

Pizza **** = Pizza Hut.

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

Major chain pizza is not pizza
.....
sorry...don't call it pizza

Such a silly statement, and sillier demand.

So pizza at a chain differs from what you like or are used to. So what? The deep dish, stuffed, and pot pie pizzas of Chicago differ from the thin, coal-oven charred pies of NYC which in turn differ from the provel topped pies in St Louis which in turn differ from the trays of thick-crusted squares in Old Forge PA.

Guess what?

They're all pizza.

Come to think of it, I doubt all the pizza you ate in all the international locales you named looked or tasted the same

Simply stated, Pizza does not have a single definition.

someone mentioned Pizza Inn... I forgot about them... they did have good pizza. at least at the Tennessee location I lived near. Pizza Inn would actually be my first choice.

Has anyone mentioned Hungry Howie's yet? They are pretty good. The calzones are REALLY good.

quote:

Originally posted by tamandmik

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Ross

I'm not a big fan of the Pizza chains, but after trying one at a relatives, we've recently gotten several from Papa Murphy's. I especially like their Delite pizzas which have very thin crusts. The delites are less calories, but you don't notice it at all. Papa Murphy's is a little different in that you order, they make it up fresh in front of you, then you take it home and bake it in your own oven. It comes on a disposable pan that gets the crust brown and very crispy, it's always hot when you eat it.

http://www.papamurphys.com/

I experienced Papa Murphy's for the first time (had a coupon for a free pizza) and I have to say it wasn't terrible. Maybe it's because since I've moved from New Jersey to New Mexico, I've almost forgotten what authentic pizza really tastes like. But this establishment is certainly better than Pizza Hut, Dominos, Papa Johns, etc.

I have to say out of the chain pizza's out there Papa Murphy's in my fave.

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

Has anyone mentioned Hungry Howie's yet? They are pretty good. The calzones are REALLY good.

I believe I did at the bottom of the last page when I said it depends on your location of the best pizza chain and mentioning how the Pizza **** (Pizza Hut) franchise here sucks. I said Hungry Howies, Papa Johns, Jet's, Cottage Inn, and Occasionally Dominoes and Little Caesars.

Pizza Hut Meat Lovers thin crust not bad.

Back in Winchester, Virginia the best chain there was Anthony's. Pizza was good and so were their subs for that matter. Ledo's recently opened up there, never tried it but I heard it was good.

Best Denver pizza chains? Well...........

The first day I had cable TV installed here, the very first thing I saw on TV here was an ad for Blackjack Pizza. Never heard of the place and when I asked my neighbors about it and they said it was very good ( looking back now they are Broncos fans which explains it ) anyway I said "what the heck" so I tried it.

I haven't had pizza here in Denver since.

I have to toss in a vote for Hungry Howies. The shops around me always make a great product and some great deals. One of our favorites is the family meal they have, Large 1 topping - bread sticks - 2ltr for $11.99
Can't beat that price.

I also just recently did a review of the new Tuscan Roma Meats pizza from Papa John's pizza. It was pretty tasty

We just had a Famous Joe's Pizza open near us - Normally I tend to shy away from any establishment with "Famous" in the name or that bragged about being featured on the Today Show but in all honesty it wasn't half bad. It was a thin crust pizza and the sauce was sweet but not overly sweet. Granted it doesn't hold a candle to PePe's but for a place that delivers It was pretty good. I found the crust to be a litte on the chewy side but that may have been a consequence of being in a box. A minute it the toaster over made it nice and crispy again.

Favorite chain? Pizza Hut, #1 !!!

Domino's is OK if you get the thin crust but the pan and thick just have too much dough. I don't know what the cut off is for "major" but the St. Louis, MO area has a couple that have 20+ restaurants apiece.

Imo's- Ultra thin crust, just a smear of sauce, and provel (NOT provelone) cheese with plenty of toppings. Not cheap but they usually have lunch specials and the individual restaurants have specials for dinner sometimes.

Cecil Whitaker's Pizzaria- Thin crust, a good amount of toppings, and cheap (like $7 for a single topping large).

Ciro's makes some very good pizza, as does a chain called Brothers. I've never been to Pizza Inn but I've had it recommended before, so I'll have to stop in there. There were also some airport pizza chains, I forget their names at the moment, but they were surprisingly good, even if they did charge an arm and a leg for them.

I got a sub at a local Ciro's, and the bread tasted like pizza crust. Best sub I ever ate!

Although I have to say, I've never had a bad pizza. I know many look down on the big chain franchises, but my statement stands.

Is Chicago Uno considered "chain pizza" it sure is good, and I have 2 in my area.

We have an Uno here in Myrtle...I've been there twice, disappointed both times.
We have a good local chain called Ultimate California pizza, but as far as
major chains, I'll take Papa Johns, then Pizza Hut. Don't like Domino's.
We have a Hungry Howie, I'll try it after reading this thread.

Having started baking a lot of pizzas at home during the last year, my opinion of chain pizza decreases with each improvement I make at home.

However, I've found during the last 10-15 years that the "relative" quality of chain pizza has become highly inconsistent. The quality varies a lot with each location and which TEENAGER is preparing the pizza on the particlular occasion that you order it.

For God's sake, can't we finally end this forum with the absolute truth...THERE IS NO GOOD CHAIN PIZZA!!!!

Roy...
I'll second that...THERE IS NO>>>NO>>>NO>>>good MAJOR chain pizza. Call it something else...but don't insult the italian heritage.......it is NOT pizza....sugar water dough and pastey bad cheese...but not pizza...dominos can't even get the look right!!!!!!!
END OF DISCUSSION!!!!!
leethebard

It seems that most of the major chains offer a number of types of pizza. Round, square, thick, thin, cinnmon, stuffed crust; the varieties seem endless.

It is just too bad (for whatever reason) among all those "choices", that there is no option for a good quality pie from any of them. I would pay a premium for good pizza even if it came from a chain.

I grew up in the Pizza biz (Mid-Hudson Valley, NYS) and therefore am Pizza Snob. Bertucci's used to be pretty good. Papa Gino's here in New England isn't inedible. But, good pizza to me, means thin crust, high quality ingredients cooked in a 500 degree+ brick floor oven.

Right joeeats...real American style pizza and New York goes together..Chicago style is another animal...and I don't mean that nicely!!!!!
leethebard

Right joeeats...real American style pizza and New York goes together..Chicago style is another animal...and I don't mean that nicely!!!!!
leethebard

Pizza Hut is my fav chain I guess. Papa Johns tastes like pure garbage to me. Dominos isn't bad once every 2 years. The personal pan pizzas at pizza hut are one of my favorite foods. Loaded with jalapenos, I'll get like 3 of them and be in heaven.

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

Roy...
I'll second that...THERE IS NO>>>NO>>>NO>>>good MAJOR chain pizza. Call it something else...but don't insult the italian heritage.......it is NOT pizza....sugar water dough and pastey bad cheese...but not pizza...dominos can't even get the look right!!!!!!!
END OF DISCUSSION!!!!!
leethebard

Now you're just being silly. It is pizza, all of it. None of it good, but pizza nonetheless.

Hi,
Really...it's pizza???????. Italian pizza does NOT call for a sauce with sugar in it!!! I have a friend who manages a PizzaHut and they not only have sugar in their sauce...but they even add sugar to the dough......give it another name..."bread with a ketchup-like sauce and imitation melted cheese"...but DON'T call it pizza!!!!
leethebard

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

Hi,
Really...it's pizza???????. Italian pizza does NOT call for a sauce with sugar in it!!! I have a friend who manages a PizzaHut and they not only have sugar in their sauce...but they even add sugar to the dough......give it another name..."bread with a ketchup-like sauce and imitation melted cheese"...but DON'T call it pizza!!!!
leethebard

Nope. Still pizza. There's no argument.

Pizza Hut-pan pizza-at least its different

quote:

Originally posted by mikez629

Pizza Hut-pan pizza-at least its different

For lunch I got 2 personal pan pizzas with jalapenos on them from the local Pizza Hut. They were delicious.

I don't remember seeing anyone mention Papa Ginos, are they still in business? The last one I was at was on Cape Cod.

I'd have to say Home Run Inn...............
even the frozen product is better than most chains.

If I've already expressed my opinion on any of the previous pages of this thread, I'm sorry. But, as long as this (old) thread has been "revived", I would like to say, I still enjoy Domino's thin crust with pepperoni. The large size, please. I have a coupon.

I think that they're all pretty weak. The original Pizzeria Regina in Boston's North End is heavenly, but it's still got the same oven for decades; the menu's different; basically no comparison to the stuff you find in food courts, which is no better than Sbarro's or something. I'd assume that the original Uno's is similar. Or is it? People in Chicago can't be that crazy for the original Uno's if all it tastes like is every other Uno's across the nation.

No problem...Twinwillow,I repect your palate! Food is in the taste of the beholder...but definitions of food come more from the heart! Some love McDonald's hamburgers and call them such...some would deny them the word "hamburger" ...it's not a matter of "purist" or "non-purist"...it's a matter of defining such foods in your own mind with your own prerequisites. As an Italian who has eaten tons of good pizza and bad in many countries....I don't feel right labeling Pizza Hut and such,true pizza....but that's using my own minds standards...and my own taste buds....and the standards of the pizza organization of Naples Italy....life is too short...go for the gusto...and enjoy what you like...and the rest of us be damned!!!

I have to say, the All you can eat deal at Papa Gino's is pretty good. I think their pizza most mirrors the thin crust NY style that I love. While it does reak of chain food, it does actually taste like pizza. And on Tuesdays, All you can eat is about seven bucks!

quote:

Originally posted by braunsteinm

I have to say, the All you can eat deal at Papa Gino's is pretty good. I think their pizza most mirrors the thin crust NY style that I love. While it does reak of chain food, it does actually taste like pizza. And on Tuesdays, All you can eat is about seven bucks!

As long as I can remember, Papa Ginos has been a great chain.

Major chains

1 papa john's
2 Pizza Hut

Regional chain
1 Mazzios

This is like asking would I rather be shot, stabbed, or run over by a car. None of the above, please.

Since I grew up on outstanding pizza, I can and will be a spoiled brat, about it. If I grew up in an area that was not so rich in the pizza offerings, I might be warmer to the idea that the major chains are acceptable. The taste reminds me of a kids Lunchable. Ick.

I drove out of Waco down 77 a few weeks ago, and on my left I spotted a Pizza Inn. I hadn't been to one in years, and so I did a u-turn and stopped. I ordered a medium thin-crust, topped only with jalapenos.



I snacked on that all the way back to Round Rock. I noticed they still offer the Taco Pizza, and I haven't eaten one of those since I was in college. Next time I'm up there, I'll have to try one for old times sake.

I still love that crust.

though I do not consider it real pizza, and would never get it if I were not stranded in a pizzaless land( northern ca), Papa Murphys Take and Bake can make a tasty and cheap treat...it aint pizza though

quote:

Originally posted by californyguy

though I do not consider it real pizza, and would never get it if I were not stranded in a pizzaless land( northern ca), Papa Murphys Take and Bake can make a tasty and cheap treat...it aint pizza though

We had a new Papa Murphys Franchise open near us last week. I got the $6.99 opening special, one topping Pepperoni. It was flavorful, loaded with ingredients and tons of pepperoni. As long as this was not the opening week bait & switch pizza - extra stuff just to suck you in - I'll go back. My wife didn't like it but I thought it was pretty good.
As far as Chain Pizza Joints, They all suck!

The Pizza Inn menu lists a Stromboli. I've never had that. The picture tells me if I didn't see it and closed my eyes and took a bite I would think it was a Calzone.

Is that accurate ? Research says it's just the shape and the addition of ricotta in Calzone.

Do you have Stromboli in your area ?

quote:

Originally posted by CCinNJ

This is like asking would I rather be shot, stabbed, or run over by a car. None of the above, please.

hilarious....

I was thinking being called the best pizza chain is like being named the talles midget..

I wont eat any chain pizza, I prefer local mom & pop joints, thin crust sausage, and mushroom. aka. "Chicago Style" pizza on the S.Side.

quote:

Originally posted by KingCrab

I prefer local mom & pop joints, thin crust aka. "Chicago Style" pizza on the S.Side.

I thought it was all deep dish, Is the South Side known for thin crust ?

NONE !!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by CCinNJ

This is like asking would I rather be shot, stabbed, or run over by a car. None of the above, please.

Since I grew up on outstanding pizza, I can and will be a spoiled brat, about it. If I grew up in an area that was not so rich in the pizza offerings, I might be warmer to the idea that the major chains are acceptable. The taste reminds me of a kids Lunchable. Ick.

quote:

Originally posted by No Talent

quote:

Originally posted by KingCrab

I prefer local mom & pop joints, thin crust aka. "Chicago Style" pizza on the S.Side.

I thought it was all deep dish, Is the South Side known for thin crust ?

many Chicagoans consider deep dish "tourist pizza", Many like me, grew up on thin crust, and dislkie pan/deep dish/stuffed pizza.

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

....I don't feel right labeling Pizza Hut and such,true pizza....

so, what do you call it?!?!?!?!?!?


I'm always stunned when I hear people say this type of stuff. It's pizza. Dough, sauce, cheese, toppings - it's pizza. Is it Neopolitan Pizza? no. But it is pizza. And, in fact, only a small amount of pizza made in the world is Neopolitan.

We have a Neopolitan pizza place here in DC. Two Amys Pizza. http://www.2amyspizza.com/
They make d.o.c. pizza - they also make non-d.o.c. pizza. While the non-d.o.c. pizza doesn't fit a small prescribed idea of how to make pizza, it's all still pizza.

Does McDonalds serve hamburgers? yes, they do.

Does Taco Bell serve tacos? yes, they do.

Is DiGiorno better than delivery? no, not really. But, it's still pizza.

Dominos may not be a style of pizza one prefers, but, it's still pizza. To say otherwise, is pure snobbery.

And, this, from a guy, who does not eat, refuses in fact, chain pizza - except for the local DC area chain Ledo's when our office has a pizza party. I grew up with real pizza all around me. My family made pizza at home nearly every Saturday night, for several years.

One pizza or another may be below one's standards of edibility, however, it's all pizza...unless of course, it's focaccia - but I don't think anyone would confuse focaccia for pizza and vica versa.

quote:

Originally posted by Guilty One

The Pizza Inn menu lists a Stromboli. I've never had that. The picture tells me if I didn't see it and closed my eyes and took a bite I would think it was a Calzone.

Is that accurate ? Research says it's just the shape and the addition of ricotta in Calzone.

Do you have Stromboli in your area ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stromboli_(food)

I had always thought Stromboli had sauce on the inside, while a calzone did not. I was, of course, wrong. A friend told me about ricotta cheese being the difference (other than the shape) He was wrong too. According to wikipedia (and we all know how undeniably accurate wikipedia is), they are more or less the same thing. And, the article makes since, because I don't recall seeing a stromboli and a calzone on the same menu. The place either made calzones or strombolis. But, I'm sure there are many exceptions to that, too. And while they do seem to basically be the same thing, I think I prefer the stromboli.

clear as mud?

Glass Nickel is a good local (Madison WI) chain and both are on the[url='http://www.glassnickelpizza.com/menuView2.jsp?store=7&category=22']menu[/url]. It looks like the same photo is used for each but they're definitely different.

Brad