I ordered a pizza. I....I...liked it.

[Michael_in_TX]

It was a intense week at the University, which is weird as it is the summer. Not a bad week, just intense. You put out one fire and two more burn in its place type of thing.

So when I got home last night I just didn't want to cook. Wife was out elsewhere, so it was just me. Somehow my mind got locked in on pizza, delivery pizza.

I haven't ordered a pizza in over a year. There's a few local places that I really like, but I wanted that "national chain" vibe (whatever that exactly means). Of those my favorite is Pizza Hut, but while I am in their delivery area I am on the extreme edge of it, so the pizza is never hot when I get it, plus it was a Friday night. So I did Papa John's, which is only a half a mile away.

They were advertising a new pizza that looked actually quite good: their garlic stuffed crust pizza. It's their typical pizza with sausage as the single topping, crust stuffed with mozzarella sticks, and brushed everywhere with their signature garlic dip. I was game.

So I ordered it and paid way too much for delivery ($5!).

It arrived beautifully hot. Now, Papa John's pizza is not bad pizza, but it's not great pizza. The flavors are a bit muted, to be sure. And I wished it had a bit more sauce.

But, it was this: greasy, fatty, salty.....utterly self-indulgent! It was everything I wanted in that moment!

Did I eat the entire thing? Well, in my college days, I could have. But my college days are a quarter-century ago. I ate three pieces and was quite satiated.

I will admit, it feels weird to say, "I needed that."

[Sid P]

I know EXACTLY what you mean.

[Huskee]

I too understand completely and agree with you. I love most pizza places. My issue with a lot of pizza joints is the low-talent-low-care workers often don't cook them right, 75%+ of my experience is overcooked, dark brown top pizzas. I hate that. I want 'em liek the pictures, little brown specs on the cheese and gooey!

I get a lot of guff from my friends when I make his statement, but I stand by it.... one of my favorite pizzas to get out is a Little Caesar's Deep Dish Stuffed Crust. Their Deep Dish are great with the crispy fried edges all around, but stuffed crust of course takes it up 2 notches (and shortens your life expectancy by probably another 9 months). Cooked right, they are flippin' wonderful. Overcooked, they of course aren't much good. If you score one cooked just right, man they are better than Jet's by quite a ways IMO. Hungry Howie's too gets honorable mention, I really like them (when cooked right of course).

[WayneT]

I share your lust for chain pizza infrequently. We have Cugiono Forno, that makes authentic Neapolitan pizza, nearby and that’s our go-to, normally. Sometimes, though, I get a hankering form a Dominos pizza with extra cheese, sausage, pepperoni, shrooms, and onions. It just hits a spot occasionally that needs to be hit.

[STEbbq]

I have been an unashamed fan of Papa John’s pizza for 25 years. I love their garlic sauce. Now, the former CEO, let’s not go there. But, their pizza hits and fills a need in the overall stomach particularly after a tough week. I usually get original crust with pepperoni, mushroom, onions, and bacon with bread sticks. However, I vary my order to take advantage of whatever specials they are running. Lately, we have been eating the NY crust plus pepperoni.

That garlic pizza sounds pretty nice. I will have to try and get it next time.

[Huskee]

I always thought their regular pizza crust was as good as bread sticks, soooo good.

[STEbbq]

Huskee Agreed. Sometimes the family skips the crust so I snarf their leftovers and dip in the garlic sauce. Yum Yum.

I am fairly sure the local pizza places (excl. deep dish joints) suck because every time we order pizza, it is pretty bad. Something to be said for being consistently decent pizza!

[Michael_in_TX]

And the pepperoncini is just delightful! If you know, you know.

[Mosca]

Yeah.

We are close enough to NJ/NYC that we get really great New York style pizza here. The one I like, we can walk to, but the one MJ likes I have to drive down the mountain for, about 10 miles. So you know what happens then….

[randy.56]

Nothing like a good pizza from time to time. Ya got me in the mood.

[Panhead John]

“But, it was this: greasy, fatty, salty.....utterly self-indulgent! It was everything I wanted in that moment! “

What a coincidence! I know exactly what you mean Michael, I had a similar experience today before I read your post. I was in the mood for a good old greasy hamburger….not made by me. There’s a Sonic nearby and I hadn’t eaten there in a long time. I ordered a double meat bacon cheeseburger, damn was that thing good! Fries and a Dr. Pepper with it. As a testament to the grease factor, which was awesome, here’s the bottom of the bag it came in….😂

[Richard Chrz]

Never have even seen a sonic that I know of, other than commercials, but I’m a sucker though for a double 1/4 lb’r with cheese and fries at McDonalds. To be quite honest, I would take a burger at a fast food place over the burgers at most restaurants. They just do it better, hence their enormous size.

[Panhead John]

Jim White I’ve had many of their extra long chili cheese coneys, luv em! I wanted a change of pace today, it had to be a big ol greasy burger!

[Michael_in_TX]

Yes! I do like their double bacon cheeseburgers. I get them with jalapeños and a corndog on the side instead of fries. Very diner-style and greasy happiness!