Pizza Dude's got 30 Seconds...

Pizza dude's got 30 seconds...

After much discussion with a friend today about the various Pizzerias around town, I guessed it was time to jot down my opinions about all of the various good 'ol Pizza-Pies.

I'll list them from my worst to my favorite. Don't get me wrong tho, just because somethings not down further on the list doesn't mean it isn't worth the trip- Pizza is the "sex" of the food world- when it's bad, it's still pizza.
(check the links out if you're hungry!)

Non-Pizza restaurant Pizza: There's a reason why you guys aren't a pizza place, but just serve it on the menu. Stick to the other stuff, will ya?

Uno's: Too much sauce, crust was greasy and floppy (and it was PAN sized!), there was a HALF of a tomato on our pizza as well as various other toppings the chefs forgot to cut into better-manageable pieces. Price was high for the "value".

Noble Romans: They have really let themselves go. too much franchising i think. I miss the Purple Monster commercials. Pizza's "ok", but there are other, better places. Their prices are climbing too. (and they failed at the "Tuscano's Subs" too- they're expensive, and not tasty!)

Frozen Pizzas: The "redheaded stepchild" of pizzas, but, amazingly- if you buy some extras- add some shredded cheese, a few extra pepperonis, some mushrooms or olives, and presto- cardboard becomes almost passable. Good in a sinch if you want a whole pizza but only have two bucks and a fridge full of extras.

School Lunch Pizza: 'So bad it's good' is why it's climbed up the list a little. It's the "cult classic" of all pizzas. Throw some salt on these rectangle-cut thin slices, and you'll have a quick meal for any Friday- and again on Monday!!! Besides- who Doesn't remember pizza day with fondness?

Showbiz (Chucky Cheeze): School lunch Pizza's younger, slightly fresher, cousin. They tried to go for a "pizza King" style pizza, but fell short. But hey- you're not there for the pizza- you're there to blow thru your allowance in tokens!

Roselli's- A place at 106th & Michigan Rd. It's OK pizza, but the sauce is a little different (tangy sweet, perhaps?) that kept me from ranking it higher. Also- price for value is a little low, too- ESPECIALLY at lunchtime on the pizza buffet- they only bring out maybe 2 pizza choices, and a "dessert pizza"- for $9!.

Papa Johns: Fresh ingredients? you bet- but the peppers are still too crunchy sometimes, the crust seems to be BREAD and not crust, and the sauce- well, sometimes there's a flood dripping off the edge, and sometimes the dough is only slightly pink with a thin layer of it. I think consistency (i.e.- knowing what you're getting) keeps this from climbing the list in my book. Value for the price is OK sometimes, and other times too high- depending on how they made your pizza that day.

CiCi's: Is good for if you want a LOT of different types of pizza, fast. The pizzas themselves are hurriedly made, so their quality isn't exactly fine-dining, but there's enough different types rarely seen other places (such as spinach alfredo pizza, chicken BBQ pizza, & Cheeseburger pizza) to keep one's interest. The value for price is great- all you can eat buffet!!!

Pizza Hut: Has slipped in the past years. They had the market cornered in the late 70's/early 80's, but i think they are now more like the "fast food" of pizzerias- Fills your belly, and you can honestly say "that was good", -but set a better quality pizza next to a pizza-hut one, and chances are, the Hutt will be eaten last. Like others- prices are getting higher here.

Domino's: I like them because they are the "generic" pizza makers. I mean, if you say "peperoni pizza"- the picture that comes to your mind IS domino's hand-tossed peperoni. Dough, sauce, cheese, and then the toppings of your choice scattered on- not too much, not to thin. No frills and lack of super-fresh ingredients keep them from being near the top, but I like the fact you KNOW what you are getting, every time.

Pizza King: School Lunch Pizza's brother on 'roids. The toppings are the only thing that throw me- I like to know what I'm eating, but pizza kings toppings have been thru a blender, then just coated on the top. is that a tomato, chunk of peperoni, or a pepper? it's red, small and cube-shaped, so it could be anything. Price for value is a little steep, but the pizzas seem to be more "filling" because of the topping-mash. Spicy ingredients and availability keep this one closer to the top of the list.

Donato's: Some good-eating pizza, if you like spicy pizza. even the cheese pizza is spicier than it really should be. Their peperoni pizza is one of my favs, but is WAY greasy, and the spiciness combine into an evening of heartburn and MORE for me. value for the price is good, and ingredients seem fresher than some other places.

Godfather's: Man, I miss them around here. They were the place to get pizza when I was a little kid. What happened to them in the area? The pizzas themselves were similar to Domino's, but with what seemed to be better toppings, and the crust was just right. Can't comment on the price- never paid for it, I was too young. :P

Sbarro: Some awesome-eating mall pizza. They have The "huge" slices that I'm a fan of. Even tho the crust is a little floppy on the thinner pizzas, the flavor is impressive. Usually a good selection of different types. Value for price is pretty good.

Lucca Pizza: I have it on good authority that a guy knows a guy who knows that Lucca is owned by THE "Family". And it shows- Awesome ingredients, great crust, old-world style taste, and good selection. Only thing keeping this from the top of my list is availability- You don't see them hardly anywhere anymore. Price for value is equal.

Little Caesar's: I miss that little funny roman guy! And the pizza too! *(update)* It seems Little Sneezers has been making a comeback with a new idea- Pizza as "fast food!" They offer ready-made LARGE pizzas for $5! drive up, pay 5$, and drive away with a pizza- no wait! I tried this hoping for the old Little Caesar's quality...and was severely disappointed. They've changed some sauce recipes, and the crust is more doughy. (not undercooked, just more bread-like). However, price for value (and time getting the pizza) exceeds expectations, so they still are near the top for a fast, cheap, and somewhat tasty pizza. *also* see " Hungry Howies" for more little Caesars info!

Papa Murphy's: Frozen Pizza's bigger, tastier, fresher, and better cousin! Combine a menu list of a bazillion pizzas & ingredients with the fact you control how done you like your OWN crust (it's a take-home-and-bake pizza store), equals some awesome pizza-eating! Value for price is exceptional!

Hungry Howie's: I have it on good authority that Hungry Howie's Pizza (founded as a different company long ago) got a hold of SOME the recipes for ...(or hired an ex-high-ranking person of)... *drumroll* Little Caesars. Their Pizza is awesome. Great taste, good toppings, and hey, they even have Crazy Bread...um... I mean, "Howie Bread"...in a myriad of flavors and toppings. Good value for the price, and they are QUICK on the making of your pizzas!

Goodfella's Pizza: This shot up to the top of my list after only ONE pizza. We went to the one located on Olio road in Geist. The crust is amazing, and i think, is one of the biggest contributors why its tops on my list. the toppings were all so full of flavor. and the sauce was perfect- just tomato-y enough, but not to goopy or spicy to detract from the other tastes. I can see this place falling down my list a few notches (but not too far) as I eat there more, because their list of toppings was kinda small (altho they did have some of the more "unusual" toppings like Provolone cheese or Prosciutto ham.), and they only had two or so 'styles' of pizza. Their menu has tons of other Italian food items, but they insist they were a pizzeria first. Value for the price was ok- but only because the $25 for one pizza is WORTH it there, at least once in a while. - It's no wonder they've been voted "Best Pizza in the World" several times!

So- Anyone out there agree or disagree? What are some of YOUR favorites? Comment me! :)