[Pizza Wars 2013] Chicago style vs New York style

[YellowKing]

Dominos is the only fast pizza chain I actively can't stand. And of course, it's the only one my kids like because nature has a wicked sense of humor.

I did not know this until the last time I ordered, but Dominos thin crust by default is cut into that square cut bullshit. I was LIVID. People actually eat pizza like that? Grown people who are not toddlers?

I swear I've been on this earth 49 years, it's the first time I had ever seen such a thing. I thought it was a mistake or something. Then we ordered it again and they did the same thing and I almost wanted to throw the whole mess in the trash.

[Isgrimnur]

There are more pizzas in heaven and earth, YK, than are dreamt of in your philosophy

[stessier]

YK - don't try the pizza at Red Robin.

[hepcat]

I’m guessing YK has never had Detroit style pizza.

[YellowKing]

And I guess I never will, now. I literally cannot describe how unholy it seems to me to cut pizza so that not only is every slice small (a sin), but not every slice has crust (bigger sin). You people are monsters.

[LordMortis]

Maybe I misunderstood what you meant, but LC has specials on their classic pizzas too. I usually get them for the gang on gaming days when I don’t feel like making chili, a pot roast or whatever because it’s like 25 bucks to feed 4 guys.

Not their specials. Their specialty. The first thing they are known for was the $5 hot and ready pizza. That being already eaten, their specialty is a pepperoni Detroit deep dish for under $10. That's way ahead of their meat trio.

I did not know this until the last time I ordered, but Dominos thin crust by default is cut into that square cut bullshit. I was LIVID. People actually eat pizza like that? Grown people who are not toddlers?

Thin cut pizzas are often round cut in to smaller squares. I assume that is so they don't flop and drop all the toppings on the plate, table, lap, or floor. Detroit Deep Dishes are square and then there is "Sicilian".

[hepcat]

Ah, got it.

[ImLawBoy]

C'mon people. It's "tavern style" pizza, and it's the local everyday pizza in Chicago (and some other Midwest cities). I wouldn't necessarily trust Domino's to do a good version of it (although to be fair, I don't think I've had any Domino's in 15-20 years), but it's a perfectly cromulent way to cut pizza for the style of crust and toppings. Plus, the kids can always fight over the baby pieces!

[hepcat]

I'm heading over to YK's place this weekend to cut all his pizzas into rhombus pieces.

[geezer]

I’m guessing YK has never had Detroit style pizza.

Detroit-style pizza is the king. For example...

https://www.via313.com/

[LawBeefaroni]

I swear I've been on this earth 49 years, it's the first time I had ever seen such a thing. I thought it was a mistake or something. Then we ordered it again and they did the same thing and I almost wanted to throw the whole mess in the trash.

Party cut is the best cut. Pie cut is only superior for NY style

[hepcat]

I’m guessing YK has never had Detroit style pizza.

Detroit-style pizza is the king. For example...

https://www.via313.com/

AAAAIIIIEEEEEEE....SQUARES!!!!

[Blackhawk]

[Blackhawk]

For the record, I dislike the squares, too. The crust is the handle.

[ImLawBoy]

Boy twin likes crust pieces. Girl twin likes middle pieces. Win-Win!

[LordMortis]

8 corner square pizza for the win (which is really 2 small pizza and I'm OK with that). It's the same principle as brownies. The corner brownie is baked the best. A squire corner slice of pizza made the right way is just pizza heaven. I mean all pizza is good. I can't even think of giving a pizza off the top of my head like those reviews. Even bad Domino's that I remember and wouldn't go back for would be a D+. Even Papa John's is a C- and I'd happily eat it if it was in front of me and I didn't pay for it. Even the greasy, sit a rock, heart burn of a Pizza Hut is a C. But the corner of a good square pizza. Sooo goood.

[Isgrimnur]

[stessier]

Crust as a handle? Why wait for it to be cool enough to pick up? I always use a knife and fork - just cut it up and start eating!

Also - the pizza adjacent Melts at Pizza Hut are really, really good for the price. I love the Meat Lovers.

[LordMortis]

That's what I'm saying. That's not so practical for pizza though.

Why wait for it to be cool enough to pick up?

I once burnt my mouth and throat so bad on pizza that before it healed my sore throat decided to become mono sore throat and the eventually laid me up in bed for six month, missing a semester of my Junior year of high school.

I still am stupid enough grab and eat pizza that is at lava point, but now if there is not a beverage to immediately bring the temperature down, I'll show my uncouth nature by spitting it into my hand.

[YellowKing]

I'm just going to start cutting my pumpkin pie into squares then. Have people reach in and grab a center slice with no handle, just dipping their fingers into orange mush. Also ensuring that no two slices are equal, so that someone always leaves disappointed. Sounds like a brilliant plan.

[LordMortis]

I'm just going to start cutting my pumpkin pie into squares then. Have people reach in and grab a center slice with no handle, just dipping their fingers into orange mush. Also ensuring that no two slices are equal, so that someone always leaves disappointed. Sounds like a brilliant plan.

To turn that down because square, well, more for me!!!!

[hepcat]

I'm just going to start cutting my pumpkin pie into squares then. Have people reach in and grab a center slice with no handle, just dipping their fingers into orange mush.

So spatula technology has not made its way to the Carolinas yet?

Where you folks at with the wheel? Still trying to figure out how to make 'em without corners?

[ImLawBoy]

I'm just going to start cutting my pumpkin pie into squares then. Have people reach in and grab a center slice with no handle, just dipping their fingers into orange mush. Also ensuring that no two slices are equal, so that someone always leaves disappointed. Sounds like a brilliant plan.

You always start with the edge and then move inwards. Why would someone take an inner piece first? And unless you make really, really thin pumpkin pies, your analogy needs a lot of work.

[YellowKing]

The pic LordMortis posted is a square pizza! Of course I can see cutting it into squares if it's already a rectangle or a square! It's cutting a round pizza into eldritch shapes of various sizes and dimensions that drives me to insanity!

[hepcat]

Okay, pizza education time.

I just now have discovered that there are Ohio based pizza styles.

First up, we have Columbus style pizza.

It has a circular shape, pieces cut into short or long rectangles, thin crust, dense toppings that cover the surface, and, usually, provolone cheese and a slightly sweet sauce. It was developed in the early 1950s.

(From somewhere southeast of Chicago, I can hear a distant scream of "RECTANGLES NOW! OH GODDAMN YOU ALL!".)

Then there's something called "Ohio Valley-style pizza.

Ohio Valley–style pizza is a pizza made with cold toppings sprinkled over a square crust that has been covered with a savory or sweet tomato sauce. It originated in Steubenville, Ohio and is served in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, mostly in and near the Ohio Valley region of those states.

This may be the most disgusting pizza style I've learned of since this thread opened my eyes to the good and evil that exists in pizza kitchens around the world. I feel like this was created by Josef Mengele while he lived in Brazil.

[ImLawBoy]

The pic LordMortis posted is a square pizza! Of course I can see cutting it into squares if it's already a rectangle or a square! It's cutting a round pizza into eldritch shapes of various sizes and dimensions that drives me to insanity!

LM is posting a different type of pizza than what you're talking about. The tavern style/party cut that you're talking about is the pizza I grew up with at least twice a month. Why do you hate my culture?

[LordMortis]

The one on the left looks like public school pizza. The one on the right looks like maggots. But it's pizza. I'd still try it.

[hepcat]

You say the same thing about industrial solvents.

[LordMortis]

The pic LordMortis posted is a square pizza! Of course I can see cutting it into squares if it's already a rectangle or a square! It's cutting a round pizza into eldritch shapes of various sizes and dimensions that drives me to insanity!

LM is posting a different type of pizza than what you're talking about. The tavern style/party cut that you're talking about is the pizza I grew up with at least twice a month. Why do you hate my culture?

I was looking for a Cottage Inn thin crust Mediterranean Chicken pizza, which is cut "tavern style" as you would say, but I couldn't find one. I assume all thin cut pizzas are cut that way, again to keep portions smaller, with topping just falling off a drooping dough you didn't want to cook into toast.

I've also seen pizza cut into bread stix, as hep showed. I had no idea it was "Columbus style."

[hepcat]

The Columbus style is what I believe Penso's Pizza would be called. They're a staple in my hometown area of New Philadelphia, Ohio, having been there since before even I was born. When I was a kid, they were great. When I left the area and tried OTHER pizzas, I realized pretty quickly that I only thought that because I hadn't had GOOD pizza.

The one that baffles me is a place called Mary Zifer's pizza in NP. They cover their pizza with a plastic like cheddar cheese substitute. That place has also been around for more than 60 years. It's just...well...not good.

[Jeff V]

I was looking for a Cottage Inn thin crust Mediterranean Chicken pizza, which is cut "tavern style" as you would say, but I couldn't find one. I assume all thin cut pizzas are cut that way, again to keep portions smaller, with topping just falling off a drooping dough you didn't want to cook into toast.

Tavern style is a cut meant to provide slices that fit on cocktail napkins. The crust is sturdy enough (could be cracker-thin, but crispy sturdy) and the ingredients do not flop off. Unless you are cutting a wretched NY floppy style pizza into little squares. Then your problem started when you ordered a defective style in the first place and you deserve to be wearing the toppings.

[LordMortis]

blah blah blah blah

[Blackhawk]

Crust as a handle? Why wait for it to be cool enough to pick up? I always use a knife and fork - just cut it up and start eating!

Are you secretly Trump?

[Madmarcus]

Then there's something called "Ohio Valley-style pizza.

Ohio Valley–style pizza is a pizza made with cold toppings sprinkled over a square crust that has been covered with a savory or sweet tomato sauce. It originated in Steubenville, Ohio and is served in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, mostly in and near the Ohio Valley region of those states.

I've only ever known that as Pittsburgh style. It sounds terrible so I've never gone hunting for it. Pizza adjacent things are one of the few things that I think are better in the eastern end of the state.

Philadelphia tomato pie is regional type of pizza (popular in Philadelphia and Central NY/Utica) that can be described as a medium thick rectangular pizza topped with a slightly sweet, thick tomato sauce and a dusting of grated cheese (typically pecorino Romano) and sometimes oregano. Always served at room temperature

The only problem is that the traditional style doesn't have enough cheese to be a satisfying meal but it's great at a pot luck or as a snack with a beer.

[hepcat]

Pittsburgh is essentially a part of Ohio, I've come to learn over the years.

[stessier]

Crust as a handle? Why wait for it to be cool enough to pick up? I always use a knife and fork - just cut it up and start eating!

Are you secretly Trump?

Nope, just fastidious about clean hands. Fortunately cutlery exists for just such a reason! I'm pretty sure I've done it since I was a wee lad in the single digits and just found it really cooled faster if it was cut up meaning I got to eat faster and more than my brothers.

[hepcat]

I just have my man servant hand feed me such things.

[Blackhawk]

Nope, just fastidious about clean hands.

As an autistic person, I can understand this. I'm very touchy about getting my hands sticky, and about having strong food smells around after I'm done eating.

It's still not the norm.

[Max Peck]

The one that baffles me is a place called Mary Zifer's pizza in NP. They cover their pizza with a plastic like cheddar cheese substitute. That place has also been around for more than 60 years. It's just...well...not good.

The intertubes say that they use colby cheese by default, but will substitute mozzarella on request.

[hepcat]

between this and the Swenson's galley boy, I'm turning you into an honorary ohioan foodie.