The best major pizza chain?

RE: The best major pizza chain? (ScreamingChicken)

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:41:51 GMT

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

RE: The best major pizza chain? (Scorereader)

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:42:19 GMT

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?

RE: The best major pizza chain? (Scorereader)

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:13:53 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (KingCrab)

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:46:58 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (leethebard)

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:56:20 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (pmrkr2)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:35:33 GMT

NONE !!!!!!

RE: The best major pizza chain? (No Talent)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:28:12 GMT

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 ?

RE: The best major pizza chain? (KingCrab)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:17:47 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (Guilty One)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:33:15 GMT

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 ?

RE: The best major pizza chain? (Foodbme)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:23:32 GMT

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!

RE: The best major pizza chain? (californyguy)

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:50:43 GMT

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

RE: The best major pizza chain? (Bushie)

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:15:31 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (CCinNJ)

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:59:07 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (HDtravlr1)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:38:51 GMT

Major chains

1 papa john's
2 Pizza Hut

Regional chain
1 Mazzios

RE: The best major pizza chain? (cameron074)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:33:51 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (Foodosaurus)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:15:37 GMT

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!

RE: The best major pizza chain? (leethebard)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:07:09 GMT

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!!!

RE: The best major pizza chain? (iamprov)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:01:03 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (Twinwillow)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:40:41 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (Jaybird1000)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:21:32 GMT

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

RE: The best major pizza chain? (leethebard)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:41:45 GMT

RE: The best major pizza chain? (cameron074)

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:04:42 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (mikez629)

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:03:04 GMT

Pizza Hut-pan pizza-at least its different

RE: The best major pizza chain? (cameron074)

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:56:36 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (leethebard)

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:41:43 GMT

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

RE: The best major pizza chain? (cameron074)

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:02:52 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (cameron074)

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:01:47 GMT

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.

RE: The best major pizza chain? (leethebard)

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:27:38 GMT

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

RE: The best major pizza chain? (leethebard)

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:26:03 GMT

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

RE: The best major pizza chain? (JoeEats)

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:31:29 GMT

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.