The best major pizza chain?

Obviously, many of us here detest the major pizza chains. I find that Domino's, Little Ceasars, Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Chuck E. Cheese are all mediocre at best.

But, is there a major chain that you like?

I've always been a fan of Round Table which is a major chain here on the west coast. Most people I know consider it the only chain worth eating at. Straw Hat used to be a popular choice, but they are now so few and far between, that I couldn't call them a major chain anymore.

I have no problem with pizza chains. I just differentiate between wanting "Domino's" or some such and wanting "pizza." There are some nigths that Domino's will suffice -- though those are now fewer and farther between with the improvements in frozen supermarket pizzas -- but, I still don't call that pizza. Pizza should have a hand-tossed crust, with fresh toppings, etc. The chains don't really make that happen -- and I can get the same product they offer from the frozen stuff in the grocery store.

Steve

Since I was a little kid, I've always liked the "Mom & Pop" places. Various reasons and long stories...

However, I'm not totally "anti-chain". Good food is good food...

I've NEVER found a national pizza chain, though, that I could recommend. As a young man, I LOVED Ken's Pizza, a regional chain out of Oklahoma. As an old man, I still stop at the one in Eufaula sometimes, because I still like the flavor.

For some reason, I used to like Domino's Pizza a lot more when I was in college in Minnesota back in the mid-seventies. Maybe it really was better back then before the chain began to really expand nationally and the bean counters took control. Or maybe my tastes have changed over the years. It just seems as though the quality of the toppings that they use has declined precipitously. In any event, there actually is one chain with national aspirations (they have stores in 7 states and in the District of Columbia) that I think makes decent pizza. It's Ledo's. http://www.ledopizza.com Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that there seems to be considerable leeway allowed in how each restaurant composes its menu and runs its business. At the one we sometimes patronize in Largo, MD, we were told by an employee that the only constant among the outlets, other than the name, is the pizza sauce used (I also think they all have square pizzas). It will be interesting to see whether, as they expand, they can maintain the quality of their pizza.

I prefer pizza from one of the many excellent independent pizzarias in our area, so there really is little reason to get one from a chain. My younger son used to eat only Pizza Hut, but his tastes have changed as he has grown and he now prefers the pizza we like best. If I had to get one from a chain, I have found Papa Johns is about the best quality chain in our area.

OK. Here's the deal. The chains are bad. But! I can take an apizza from a Dominos or a Papa John's and I can actually make the product pretty good.

I add dried oreganeo, dried basil, garlic granules (not garlic powder), and olive oil, then I put the pie into a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes and, what do you know, a good tomato pie.

Honest!

IMO, there is no "Best Major Pizza Chain"... I do, like others suffer thru ordering out to avoid the hassel, or maybe at work for something quick... Not that this is my recomendation, but if I have to make a choice it would be Papa Johns... Atleast the pepper they toss in is tasty... (at least most the time). Then I also used to live in Indy where they came from, so I may be a bit prejudiced also... Next level down would be pizza hut... But they've gone so thin on their toppings, its more like a slab of bread with a little salty sauce and topping with a drizzle of chez.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

Since I was a little kid, I've always liked the "Mom & Pop" places. Various reasons and long stories...

However, I'm not totally "anti-chain". Good food is good food...

I've NEVER found a national pizza chain, though, that I could recommend. As a young man, I LOVED Ken's Pizza, a regional chain out of Oklahoma. As an old man, I still stop at the one in Eufaula sometimes, because I still like the flavor.

You are right Bushie. Ken's wasn't bad. We had one in Midwest City, sadly they are long gone. I do miss them.

Hungry for pizza in Midwest City, Oklahoma

As far as chains go my favorite pizza chains are regional ones, including the following:

Donato's (eastern US)
East of Chicago Pizza Co. (Ohio and Indiana, with one location each in Virginia and Florida)
LaRosa's (SW Ohio)
Rocky Rococo (mostly Wisconsin)

quote:

Originally posted by McFan

As far as chains go my favorite pizza chains are regional ones, including the following:

Donato's (eastern US)
East of Chicago Pizza Co. (Ohio and Indiana, with one location each in Virginia and Florida)
LaRosa's (SW Ohio)
Rocky Rococo (mostly Wisconsin)

Oh Man.. I totally forgot about Donato's... They closed here over a year ago, but this would be #1 on my list I mentioned above! It's not a hearty pizza of sorts, but it sure was tasty! Guess I do admit to missing a "chain pizza" joint...

Because I have some affection for their "Big New Yorker" pizza, I will admit to liking Pizza Hut.

I really don't dislike any of the national pizza chains. Sure, I can get a better pizza from some other place, but I don't actually dislike their pizzas. I had a thin crust Domino's the other day, was quite good.

I guess I can say I've rarely been unhappy with a pizza from a pizzeria, chain or otherwise.

On the other hand, the day the school cafeteria decided to save some money and make "pizza" with a slice of white bread covered with catsup and topped with a slice of american "cheese food" then baked.......gack.

quote:

But, is there a major chain that you like?

No, and I've always wondered why that is.

If i was forced to name a pizza chain I had to eat from it would be Grotto's (Delaware mostly) and Pizzeria Regina (Boston) For the last I would only want to go to their original location in the North end, but any of their satellites will do.

There is just as much crappy independent pizza out there too!

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

Since I was a little kid, I've always liked the "Mom & Pop" places. Various reasons and long stories...

However, I'm not totally "anti-chain". Good food is good food...

I've NEVER found a national pizza chain, though, that I could recommend. As a young man, I LOVED Ken's Pizza, a regional chain out of Oklahoma. As an old man, I still stop at the one in Eufaula sometimes, because I still like the flavor.

national chains--they all stink--simple--regional--thats different-----
i've wondered about Ken's--good pizza is NOT Ok's strong point so i havent gone in because i didnt want another lousy pizza--but i go by the Ken's in Eufalla alot and the only pizza i know that is really worth eating around here is 50 miles away or more--Hideaway in Tulsa-okc-Norman and Stillwater. However---if both you and Ralph Isbill can vouch for it-maybe i should give it a try---btw Bushie--check Adelita's mexican just before Kens by the coner!

quote:

Originally posted by Ralph Isbill

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

Since I was a little kid, I've always liked the "Mom & Pop" places. Various reasons and long stories...

However, I'm not totally "anti-chain". Good food is good food...

I've NEVER found a national pizza chain, though, that I could recommend. As a young man, I LOVED Ken's Pizza, a regional chain out of Oklahoma. As an old man, I still stop at the one in Eufaula sometimes, because I still like the flavor.

You are right Bushie. Ken's wasn't bad. We had one in Midwest City, sadly they are long gone. I do miss them.

Hungry for pizza in Midwest City, Oklahoma

Ralph--i havent been in YET--but the Ken's Pizza in Eufalla is very much alive---at least the lights are on and there's always cars in the lot----now that you and Bushie have weighed in on them, i am going to stop by and give them a shot---will let you know how it went.

It's been years since they were in Midwest City, as I said they were not bad. Let me know how you fared.

We almost always have Papa John's. It's sort of like the old joke --you hold a gun on me while I take a drink of the moonshine, then I will hold the gun on you while you drink it.

i like the hut... pizza hut...and chucky cheese is good too...

quote:

Originally posted by Snowy

i like the hut... pizza hut...and chucky cheese is good too...

I'm so sorry to hear that!!

We have a relatively new chain in the ATL area which, in the 3 time I've been have had reasonably good pizza - CiCi's. They have taken the old Shakey's concept of pizza and salad buffet and brought it back. I went in with a pre-conceived notion that it would be awful, but was surprised. I still go to my neighborhood places first, and rely on Domino's for delivery, but I was surprised at CiCi's. Another thought: Has anyone else tried the fresh, unbaked, pizza at Costco? We love them.

CiCi's has also just opened in the Eastgate area of Cincinnati......

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

Ralph--i havent been in YET--but the Ken's Pizza in Eufalla is very much alive---at least the lights are on and there's always cars in the lot----now that you and Bushie have weighed in on them, i am going to stop by and give them a shot---will let you know how it went.

tiki, don't get your hopes up. I would have hesitated to recommend it to you, knowing that you've experienced great pizza all over the country. Ken's makes a thin-crust pizza that I always liked, but I don't know what you'll think of it. Like Ralph said, I would love to hear what you think if you stop there.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

Ralph--i havent been in YET--but the Ken's Pizza in Eufalla is very much alive---at least the lights are on and there's always cars in the lot----now that you and Bushie have weighed in on them, i am going to stop by and give them a shot---will let you know how it went.

tiki, don't get your hopes up. I would have hesitated to recommend it to you, knowing that you've experienced great pizza all over the country. Ken's makes a thin-crust pizza that I always liked, but I don't know what you'll think of it. Like Ralph said, I would love to hear what you think if you stop there.

Have no fear--i KNOW better then to expect miricles--but it would be nice to find a place to get a decent pie once in a while---the nearest pizza here is Simple Simon---NOT PIZZA---not even close!!!! So any decent EDIBLE pie would be nice! i will probaly get a mushroom and sausage pie to go--for we all know the true test of take out pizza is room temp next day for breakfast!!! The pies from Hideaway pass this test----and their "HalfBaked"s-that you finish at home are great for me---since im 50 miles from the pizzeria!--so im looking for one a little closer to home--need a pie for "cant cook now the game is on" times!

Too bad this particular thread isn't entitled ""The best major pizza chain"... that USED to be good""...

Peachpie---i too LOVE Boboli!!! fast easy-tasty and best of all--i can cantrol the amount and quality of then toppings. They are actually my preferred pizza in this area of Oklahoma--my fall back "Default"

While it is probably unknown in most of the country, Bertucci's actually has pretty decent pizza.

In fact, while Mom & Pop places are usually the best, there is one Mom & Pop place near me that is really bad (watery "soup" floating on a mediocre crust). If I had to choose between them and Bertucci's, Bertucci's would be the winner hands down!

I have found Domino's to be pretty near tasteless, and Pizza Hut's pies sit like lead in my stomach. I have always thought that PH uses some kind of shortening in their crust, although I can't prove this. Little Caesar's (the one time that I tried it) was pretty awful. I have never tried Papa John's, but living in NJ, I have good Mom & Pop places + Bertucci's to choose from, so I don't anticipate giving PJ's a try.

I note with interest that some people mentioned that they like Donato's. Did you know that this is a subsidiary of McDonald's? I was unaware of this until I started reading the annual corporate report thoroughly.
I guess it proves that you can do something right on a "chain level" if you really want to.

quote:

Originally posted by Snowy

i like the hut... pizza hut...and chucky cheese is good too...

Please stick around awhile and really digest (!) what many of the experienced posters have to say. I know you will eventually change your mind about places like "The Hut" and Chuck E. Cheese (I could eat neither without becoming ill from the oiliness, and haven't in years). Chuck E. Cheese brings back memories of my daughter as a 5 year old going to parties there. The noise level was astounding.

I keep reading about, and driving past, Donato's, and still haven't stopped. There seems to be only one in South Jersey, I think, and for some reason I just haven't found a good enough reason to go in! Or else I was alone, or had Weigh-In that night, or whatever. Some day. I don't eat too much pizza these days; there are so many small pizza places around here and they all tasted about the same, either more greasy or less greasy.

When I lived in Philly, though, I absolutely loved New England Pizza, and they are still at the same location they were at when I was young.

If you go to Toronto, Canada there are a couple of chains that are way better than most. The best is called Pizza Nova, which is closer to authentic Italian pizza than you will find in other chains. They have stores mainly in the greater Toronto area and I always try to grab a slice or two whenever I'm in the area. Another chain is Pizza Pizza which is known in Toronto for it's centralized phone number (967-1111). They have stores in every large city across Ontario and they are good too, not as good as Pizza Nova but better than most chains. Boston Pizza, a chain stationed out in Alberta has been making a push to expand into the east. Don't eat there as their pizzas suck.

quote:

Originally posted by shaynas_mom

quote:

Originally posted by Snowy

i like the hut... pizza hut...and chucky cheese is good too...

Please stick around awhile and really digest (!) what many of the experienced posters have to say. I know you will eventually change your mind about places like "The Hut" and Chuck E. Cheese (I could eat neither without becoming ill from the oiliness, and haven't in years). Chuck E. Cheese brings back memories of my daughter as a 5 year old going to parties there. The noise level was astounding.

I keep reading about, and driving past, Donato's, and still haven't stopped. There seems to be only one in South Jersey, I think, and for some reason I just haven't found a good enough reason to go in! Or else I was alone, or had Weigh-In that night, or whatever. Some day. I don't eat too much pizza these days; there are so many small pizza places around here and they all tasted about the same, either more greasy or less greasy.

When I lived in Philly, though, I absolutely loved New England Pizza, and they are still at the same location they were at when I was young.

I don't know if I'm the only one on the board who is seeing right through this, but I believe the initial post is a practical joke (not yours Shayna's Mom). I'm not trying to be sarcastic or condescending here but, I think it's very, very obvious.

WJ,

You mean you don't think that Snowy actually likes "the hut" and "chuckie??"

Frank

quote:

Originally posted by fcbaldwin


WJ,

You mean you don't think that Snowy actually likes "the hut" and "chuckie??"

Frank

Hi Frank!

Sometimes you gotta check out all of the posts and read between the lines!!