Welcome party pizza - this involves math!

climbingsingle · November 2016

lyndausvi said:

climbingwife said:

Born and raised in NY, where we have the best pizza hands down - sorry, it's true. A slice - just a regular slice with no toppings, is and always will be the most popular and delicious way to eat pizza. Yes, toppings are good too. But a regular slice of pizza with nothing on it is the best way to enjoy. And like Starmoon said, if you're eating pizza that requires toppings to make it taste you, you're eating shitty pizza.

Signed,
a pizza snob

I grew up near Philly and our pizza is very similar if not the same as NY's. You can tell a good pizza if their plain pizza is good. I think that is why I can't stand chain pizza places. You are almost required to put on toppings in order to eat it.

Whenever we moved DH (from Long Island) goes on a pizza tour to find the best plain pizza. There are 2 around here that are pretty good. Not surprising both places are owned by guys from the NYC area. Plain pies are their most popular items.

I'm a total hater of chain pizza places, especially if you live in the tri-state area. Sure, if you desperately need a pizza at 1am, order Dominos. But otherwise, skip that chain garbage!

climbingsingle · November 2016

SaintPaulGal said:

lyndausvi said:

SaintPaulGal said:

I'm intrigued by both sides of this discussion. I have never once in my life heard it called "plain" pizza (although that's how I feel about it.) It's called cheese pizza around here, and it is tragically popular with all age groups.

Can I ask why it's tragic?

DH is a fine dining chef. Has worked with and is friends with some celebrity, some 3 Michelin star chefs. They all go out for plain/cheese pizza when they are together in NYC.

Like a good steak doesn't need a lot of toppings, a good pizza (good cheese, sauce and dough) doesn't need toppings.

Totally a matter of individual preference. I just personally think it's a boring choice. Sort of like how there is nothing wrong with vanilla--as the seed pod from a tropical orchid it's actually a very exotic product when you think about it. But (imitation) vanilla is sort of the default absence-of-flavor option. And with pizza, plain cheese is the thing that you wind up forced to get when surrounded by picky eaters.

I can appreciate minimalist toppings. My favorite pizza is a wood fired Neapolitan style with a couple of slices of prosciutto, a few leaves of arugula, and a bit of sliced garlic. I can also appreciate an American-style pizza loaded down with a dozen different toppings. But I can't get on board with cheese pizza. If I want to eat plain bread and cheese I'd rather have a baguette and some brie.

Yeah, no. A NY slice is not just a boring piece of bread and cheese.

SaintPaulGal · November 2016

climbingwife said:

SaintPaulGal said:

lyndausvi said:

SaintPaulGal said:

I'm intrigued by both sides of this discussion. I have never once in my life heard it called "plain" pizza (although that's how I feel about it.) It's called cheese pizza around here, and it is tragically popular with all age groups.

Can I ask why it's tragic?

DH is a fine dining chef. Has worked with and is friends with some celebrity, some 3 Michelin star chefs. They all go out for plain/cheese pizza when they are together in NYC.

Like a good steak doesn't need a lot of toppings, a good pizza (good cheese, sauce and dough) doesn't need toppings.

Totally a matter of individual preference. I just personally think it's a boring choice. Sort of like how there is nothing wrong with vanilla--as the seed pod from a tropical orchid it's actually a very exotic product when you think about it. But (imitation) vanilla is sort of the default absence-of-flavor option. And with pizza, plain cheese is the thing that you wind up forced to get when surrounded by picky eaters.

I can appreciate minimalist toppings. My favorite pizza is a wood fired Neapolitan style with a couple of slices of prosciutto, a few leaves of arugula, and a bit of sliced garlic. I can also appreciate an American-style pizza loaded down with a dozen different toppings. But I can't get on board with cheese pizza. If I want to eat plain bread and cheese I'd rather have a baguette and some brie.

Yeah, no. A NY slice is not just a boring piece of bread and cheese.

To each his or her own. I'm not saying we should outlaw cheese pizza. I just personally find it boring. I'm sure there are things I like to eat that you would find boring, too.

lyndausvi · November 2016

climbingwife said:

SaintPaulGal said:

lyndausvi said:

SaintPaulGal said:

I'm intrigued by both sides of this discussion. I have never once in my life heard it called "plain" pizza (although that's how I feel about it.) It's called cheese pizza around here, and it is tragically popular with all age groups.

Can I ask why it's tragic?

DH is a fine dining chef. Has worked with and is friends with some celebrity, some 3 Michelin star chefs. They all go out for plain/cheese pizza when they are together in NYC.

Like a good steak doesn't need a lot of toppings, a good pizza (good cheese, sauce and dough) doesn't need toppings.

Totally a matter of individual preference. I just personally think it's a boring choice. Sort of like how there is nothing wrong with vanilla--as the seed pod from a tropical orchid it's actually a very exotic product when you think about it. But (imitation) vanilla is sort of the default absence-of-flavor option. And with pizza, plain cheese is the thing that you wind up forced to get when surrounded by picky eaters.

I can appreciate minimalist toppings. My favorite pizza is a wood fired Neapolitan style with a couple of slices of prosciutto, a few leaves of arugula, and a bit of sliced garlic. I can also appreciate an American-style pizza loaded down with a dozen different toppings. But I can't get on board with cheese pizza. If I want to eat plain bread and cheese I'd rather have a baguette and some brie.

Yeah, no. A NY slice is not just a boring piece of bread and cheese.

Yeah, I've eaten a baguette with brie under the Eiffel Tower. That shit is good.

I've eaten plain cheese pizza slice in NYC. That shit was just as good.

IMO a true foodie appreciates even the simplest of foods. That includes a good ole plain pizza slice.

climbingsingle · November 2016

@SaintPaulGal If you're ever in NYC, do yourself a favor and get a slice. Not from a chain.

lyndausvi · November 2016

Now I aching for a trip back east for a decent slice of pizza.

SaintPaulGal · November 2016

I guess it comes down to two things for me:

-I have had pizza in NYC and Italy and Chicago and here in MSP which has some great places that consistently show up on lists of the nation's best. When ordering something with a few high quality ingredients, I have never thought to myself "I wish this tasted more plain." I have never had a cheese pizza that wouldn't have been improved with a pop of flavor from something like sausage or pepperoni or even just fresh basil.

-I'm not in NYC. We have some great pizza here, but you have to care about food at least a little bit to seek it out. The great pizza is not the same pizza that will deliver to the office or to the party when a group of people all decide that they are hungry. And the picky eater contingent who refuse to eat toppings because pepperoni and sausage are too spicy, mushrooms are creepy, onions are gross, olives are icky, etc. etc. etc. are the ones who drive the group toward cheese pizza by process of elimination, and those people are not exactly known for putting time and effort into sourcing the highest quality foods.

I'm not asserting that cheese pizza is universally disgusting. I just personally think it's a boring choice when you have other options. Just like a house painted all beige could look just fine, but I personally would find it boring if it were my house. Others are more than welcome to feel differently. If we ever get lunch together I will happily let you have the last slice of cheese pizza!

ei34 · November 2016

lyndausvi said:

Now I aching for a trip back east for a decent slice of pizza.

I had a few (plain) slices for you last night. You're welcome

crowsgirl15 · November 2016

Count me in as a cheese pizza eater. If I'm somewhere they order pizza and there are only pizzas with toppings, I'm usually disappointed. Why mess with perfection?

lovesclimbing · November 2016

To me, what makes pizza pizza is the toppings. I'm on the "cheese pizza is boring" train. I will only ever have a slice if there's nothing else left.

redwoodoriginal · November 2016

I think people who hate plain cheese pizza slices have never had a real NY slice of delicious cheese pizza.

I love toppings but what I crave the most living in Chicago is a plain slice of NY cheese pizza. Probably the #1 thing I miss most about NY. Then bagels are a very close #2.

TrixieJess · November 2016

I grew up in a primarily Italian neighbourhood so pizza sometimes didn't even have cheese on it. They would call the chain pizza "mangia cake" pizza. Personally, if someone is going to feed me I eat it, as long as there isn't mushrooms or pineapple on it.

Heffalump · November 2016

I am late to this thread, but is cheese/plain pizza unknown in some parts? Weird.

I like spicy sausage, myself (DH always has a comment about that), but will happily eat cheese.

banana468 · November 2016

I think if a cheese pizza is too plain for you then you don't have a good one. Remember, cheese is a topping but should be used correctly. Extra cheese shouldn't be a thing. No one wants to eat a melted gumball.

I'm from southern CT. New Haven pizza is AWESOME. Modern, Pepe's, Sally's? Sign me up. There's a spot near me that tries to compete with them and it's reasonable for the drive. Plain cheese is all you need.

That isn't to say that I don't enjoy the white clam at Modern from time to time, or even the mashed potato at Bar, but in CT - especially the New Haven style ca hold its own with NY.

Find a good one and just enjoy the melty goodness.

crowsgirl15 · November 2016

banana468 said:

I think if a cheese pizza is too plain for you then you don't have a good one. Remember, cheese is a topping but should be used correctly. Extra cheese shouldn't be a thing. No one wants to eat a melted gumball.

I'm from southern CT. New Haven pizza is AWESOME. Modern, Pepe's, Sally's? Sign me up. There's a spot near me that tries to compete with them and it's reasonable for the drive. Plain cheese is all you need.

That isn't to say that I don't enjoy the white clam at Modern from time to time, or even the mashed potato at Bar, but in CT - especially the New Haven style ca hold its own with NY.

Find a good one and just enjoy the melty goodness.

Pepes just opened another location in West Hartford. Best thing that has ever happened to Central CT!

redwoodoriginal · November 2016

banana468 said:

I think if a cheese pizza is too plain for you then you don't have a good one. Remember, cheese is a topping but should be used correctly. Extra cheese shouldn't be a thing. No one wants to eat a melted gumball.

I'm from southern CT. New Haven pizza is AWESOME. Modern, Pepe's, Sally's? Sign me up. There's a spot near me that tries to compete with them and it's reasonable for the drive. Plain cheese is all you need.

That isn't to say that I don't enjoy the white clam at Modern from time to time, or even the mashed potato at Bar, but in CT - especially the New Haven style ca hold its own with NY.

Find a good one and just enjoy the melty goodness.

Our favorite pizza place in Chicago is actually new haven style pizza. My DH is going to new haven next month and is SO excited to try Pepe's, I'm so jealous of him.

sparklepants41 · November 2016

crowsgirl15 said:

banana468 said:

I think if a cheese pizza is too plain for you then you don't have a good one. Remember, cheese is a topping but should be used correctly. Extra cheese shouldn't be a thing. No one wants to eat a melted gumball.

I'm from southern CT. New Haven pizza is AWESOME. Modern, Pepe's, Sally's? Sign me up. There's a spot near me that tries to compete with them and it's reasonable for the drive. Plain cheese is all you need.

That isn't to say that I don't enjoy the white clam at Modern from time to time, or even the mashed potato at Bar, but in CT - especially the New Haven style ca hold its own with NY.

Find a good one and just enjoy the melty goodness.

Pepes just opened another location in West Hartford. Best thing that has ever happened to Central CT!

And we just got one up here in the Boston area!!!!! I'm psyched!

ei34 · November 2016

redwoodoriginal said:

I think people who hate plain cheese pizza slices have never had a real NY slice of delicious cheese pizza.

I love toppings but what I crave the most living in Chicago is a plain slice of NY cheese pizza. Probably the #1 thing I miss most about NY. Then bagels are a very close #2.

Preach! The pizza and bagels are what stop me from seriously considering leaving NYC (well, H and I toy with buying a house on LI). When we're out of town I miss those two more than I miss my parents and siblings

lyndausvi · November 2016

eileenrob said:

redwoodoriginal said:

I think people who hate plain cheese pizza slices have never had a real NY slice of delicious cheese pizza.

I love toppings but what I crave the most living in Chicago is a plain slice of NY cheese pizza. Probably the #1 thing I miss most about NY. Then bagels are a very close #2.

Preach! The pizza and bagels are what stop me from seriously considering leaving NYC (well, H and I toy with buying a house on LI). When we're out of town I miss those two more than I miss my parents and siblings

So does DH.

When we return to the area it's a whirlwind of food stops. He will eat a slice at 3-5 different places in one afternoon.

I've lived in various states around the country. Pizza doesn't taste the same, I get why the need for toppings. If that is all you know, then I get why people are confused with plain cheese pizza.

banana468 · November 2016

redwoodoriginal said:

banana468 said:

I think if a cheese pizza is too plain for you then you don't have a good one. Remember, cheese is a topping but should be used correctly. Extra cheese shouldn't be a thing. No one wants to eat a melted gumball.

I'm from southern CT. New Haven pizza is AWESOME. Modern, Pepe's, Sally's? Sign me up. There's a spot near me that tries to compete with them and it's reasonable for the drive. Plain cheese is all you need.

That isn't to say that I don't enjoy the white clam at Modern from time to time, or even the mashed potato at Bar, but in CT - especially the New Haven style ca hold its own with NY.

Find a good one and just enjoy the melty goodness.

Our favorite pizza place in Chicago is actually new haven style pizza. My DH is going to new haven next month and is SO excited to try Pepe's, I'm so jealous of him.

Tell him Sally's and Modern are better. Pepe's expansions to other places aren't bad but the purists think it's losing something.

But a line for any of them can easily go out their doors and down the street. Suck it domino's

ernursej · November 2016

I don't like melted cheese that much so I would never go for a cheese pizza. I like veggies and meat. I have had NYC pizza before and I didn't even notice the option for cheese only pizza but even if I had, I wouldn't be ordering it.

We have fantastic local pizza places where I live and I think they are perfect with the toppings.

I will keep in mind about the cheese pizza the next time I order pizza when I have friends over. Hey, perhaps one of my friends would love that option.

sparklepants41 · November 2016

ernursej said:

I don't like melted cheese that much so I would never go for a cheese pizza. I like veggies and meat. I have had NYC pizza before and I didn't even notice the option for cheese only pizza but even if I had, I wouldn't be ordering it.
We have fantastic local pizza places where I live and I think they are perfect with the toppings.
I will keep in mind about the cheese pizza the next time I order pizza when I have friends over. Hey, perhaps one of my friends would love that option.

Um. What.

Image: http://i.giphy.com/5TN7T7FZ513LG.gif

lyndausvi · November 2016

sparklepants41 said:

ernursej said:

I don't like melted cheese that much so I would never go for a cheese pizza. I like veggies and meat. I have had NYC pizza before and I didn't even notice the option for cheese only pizza but even if I had, I wouldn't be ordering it.
We have fantastic local pizza places where I live and I think they are perfect with the toppings.
I will keep in mind about the cheese pizza the next time I order pizza when I have friends over. Hey, perhaps one of my friends would love that option.

Um. What.

I dated a guy who hates cheese. All cheese. Doesn't eat pizza. I had to make a separate nacho without cheese just for him.

Notice I said "dated".

banana468 · November 2016

lyndausvi said:

sparklepants41 said:

ernursej said:

I don't like melted cheese that much so I would never go for a cheese pizza. I like veggies and meat. I have had NYC pizza before and I didn't even notice the option for cheese only pizza but even if I had, I wouldn't be ordering it.
We have fantastic local pizza places where I live and I think they are perfect with the toppings.
I will keep in mind about the cheese pizza the next time I order pizza when I have friends over. Hey, perhaps one of my friends would love that option.

Um. What.

I dated a guy who hates cheese. All cheese. Doesn't eat pizza. I had to make a separate nacho without cheese just for him.

Notice I said "dated".

I can understand that bad pizza makes you think of unflavorful melted cheese.

But again, it just makes me think that you haven't had good pizza.

CharmedPam · November 2016

So I know this changed over to cheese vs topping (cheese is boring IMO as well, but I get why people love it)....but incase you were all wondering how it went. We ordered 15 larges. We had 6 almost full boxes leftover the first night, and then the night of the wedding 2 more boxes went. I think we had 4 full pizza's left. No one went hungry.

And the cake! omg the cake! I'll post some stuff in the recap on that

ernursej · November 2016

sparklepants41 said:

ernursej said:

I don't like melted cheese that much so I would never go for a cheese pizza. I like veggies and meat. I have had NYC pizza before and I didn't even notice the option for cheese only pizza but even if I had, I wouldn't be ordering it.
We have fantastic local pizza places where I live and I think they are perfect with the toppings.
I will keep in mind about the cheese pizza the next time I order pizza when I have friends over. Hey, perhaps one of my friends would love that option.

Um. What.

As a kid, I didn't eat it at all. As an adult, I'm very picky about the kind of cheese that gets melted and the amount. It is a texture thing! I hate the feeling of strings in my mouth

I will however eat tons and tons of cheese that is not melted!

DrillSergeantCat · November 2016

The best pizza I've ever had was in Italy. It was garlic and olive oil. That's it. So good. We have a few places around us that are good and reminiscent of Italian pizza, but we're kind of lazy and usually just order Papa John's because it takes 15 minutes to get to the house.

CharmedPam · November 2016

DrillSergeantCat said:

The best pizza I've ever had was in Italy. It was garlic and olive oil. That's it. So good. We have a few places around us that are good and reminiscent of Italian pizza, but we're kind of lazy and usually just order Papa John's because it takes 15 minutes to get to the house.

I never really ordered PJ's until I met DH. It's actually not that bad and, like you said, pretty quick!

DrillSergeantCat · November 2016

CharmedPam said:
I never really ordered PJ's until I met DH. It's actually not that bad and, like you said, pretty quick!

It's better than Pizza Hut for sure.

CharmedPam · November 2016

Does pizza hut even use real cheese?

No, seriously, does it?

Welcome party pizza - this involves math!

Re: Welcome party pizza - this involves math!

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