Category Archives: Pizza

New York City

John’s Pizza Bleeker Street NYC

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johns-pizza-bleekerJohn’s Pizza on Bleeker street in NYC is rightfully famous.  It’s story is the story of pizza in New York, and therefore the United States.  However, I have long ago given up on their pizza in favor of some, in my opinion, better places.

Now that I write for Worst Pizza I decided to take Mrs. Pizza on a pizza history tour of New York, and decided to once again try John’s.  It must have been 15 years since stepping foot in the place, but it looked the same.  Upon my first bite, I remember why I had stopped coming here.  Tasteless.  The crust was just tasteless.  Their cheese was decent, but the sauce wasn’t anything that could possibly propel them to the top.  I have once heard John’s reduced to the best pizza in the Village, but no, there are better.  Much better.  Don’t believe the hype.  John’s gets 3 of 8 slices.

<a href=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/3/30928/restaurant/Midtown-West/Johns-Pizzeria-New-York”><img alt=”John’s Pizzeria on Urbanspoon” src=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/30928/minilogo.gif” style=”border:none;width:104px;height:15px” /></a>

best pizza, Boca Raton

Tucci’s Pizza Boca Raton

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tucci's pizza.jpgFor all those who haven’t ventured out lately in the Boca Raton area, or haven’t read my previous posts, Red Rock Pizza has closed down recently.  Although we all loved the taste and quality that came along with Red Rock, you will be happy to know that Tucci‘s picks up where they left off.

When I first entered the new Tucci’s Pizza place on 50 NE 1st avenue in Boca Raton, near Mizner (561) 620-2930, I immediately noticed how cleaned up the placed look.

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Pizza

Let’s Have a PizzatweetUp Without The Experts

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pizzatweetup.jpgIn what can be another stupid move on behalf of a large corporation, Kraft hires a PR agency named Weber Shandwick to handle a twitter campaign for DiGiorno Pizza.  Yes, you have read me correctly, they actually hired someone for a twitter campaign to reach out to influential tweeters in the sector to host a pizza tweetup, and try DiGiorno’s new flatbread pizza.  Who more influential then the Pizza Experts to host one?  Not only do we run @pizzatweetup on twitter already, but have a tremendous presence in our personal accounts and on the @worstpizza account.  Our following, is specifically following us, for their love of finding quality pizza.

So here’s the rocket scientist idea the PR firm came up with.  They will find these “influential” tweeters and deliver DiGiorno Pizza to the events, and hope that the attendees enjoy the pizza and spread the word.  There is no doubt that DiGiorno is one of the better frozen pizzas on the market, and I actually think they are the number one selling brand in the freezer aisle’s pizza shelves, but to launch a new flatbread pizza to a bunch of cheapskates, who are looking for free food is not a good marketing plan.  A good marketing plan is to launch it to a group of pizza connoisseurs, who actively participate in a pizza community.  Their advice to friends if they like the flatbread pizza, will get Kraft ten fold the amount of cheerleaders, then just supplying them to a random crowd.  For example, it is a safe bet that if you have a pizza tweetup, with members of twitter who religiously follow pizza news, they will ALL tweet out their opinions on the pizza.  Their friends most likely look to these members, as the person they get their pizza advice from, and will retweet it.  Nothing more effective then this.

The geniuses at their PR and advertising agencies, have not defined what an influential tweeter is, but they are in the process of working it out.  Way to go Kraft, you hired a group of people who haven’t even defined who the core audience should be.  Well done!  Some guy Mr. Moe said “it’s the quality of interaction we’re going to have with these folks who are passionate about relevant new news”.  I guess pizza fanatics do not qualify as folks who have quality interaction.  Kraft is hoping for fuzzy, yup that is right, a fuzzy return on investment measurement.  How about this for fuzzy….My reviews reach over 10k readers a month, who come here for one purpose…  PIZZA.  Doesn’t take hiring a PR firm to let you know, that a pizza tweetup in Florida with me, will have far reaching effects.  Something that no random tweetup based on popularity of followers would ever have.

Our twitter account is open, and waiting your invitation! @worstpizza

Chicago

Pequod’s Chicago Burnt Pizza

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pequodsslice-of-pequodsDon’t worry: it’s not as bad as it looks! Actually Pequod’s “caramelized cheese” (aka, “burnt”) pizza was really good.

I was certainly shocked to see the blackened pizza at first. I actually turned to the hostess, who didn’t seem nearly as concerned as I did about the smutty-looking pizza after I showed it to her, so I said: “I’m a restaurant critic. Are you sure you want to serve a pizza that looks like this to me?”

I was assured that the pizza was fine, the darkened edge was their specialty, and did I want a menu for future orders? I smiled, accepted a menu, and hoped I didn’t scare them too much with my I’m-a-big-tough-restaurant-critic attitude.

Pequod’s pizza was one of the more original pizzas I’ve eaten in a long time. The whole burnt thing was interesting and was actually pulled off really well—somehow, it complemented and even enhanced the tastes of the rest of the pizza. The sauce was in a smaller helping than usual but still fit the dynamic of the rest of the flavors. I ordered a half pepperoni, half sausage and onion pan pizza, and the toppings were incredibly fresh. I love sausage that leaves you with that great spicy aftertaste, and this sausage taste complemented the onions perfectly. The pizza tasted fresh and smelled fresh—so fresh, it makes me want to bottle it up and sell it as a cologne! (Say…didn’t Burger King do something like that with its burger scents?)

The cheese and crust were also pleasantly mild in taste. My only complaint, which still won points for originality, was the layer of cheese was so small compared to the uprising of crust. I know this is common to “pan” pizza, but it still seemed a bit short. The crust was light and pleasant to eat…but I missed having more cheese to my bite.

Pequod’s Pizza is an original. Heck, even its weird fish logo is original (check out http://www.pequodspizza.com to see what I mean). Suburbanites, visit Pequod’s Pizza at 8520 Fernald in Morton Grove, and City Dwellers can check it out in Lincoln Park at 2207 North Clyborn. You won’t be bored by your experience!

Pequod’s Pizza gets 6 out of 8 slices!

Make sure to check out Martha’s other pizza reviews here
Twitter: ExaminerChicago

best pizza, Fort Lauderdale

Kitchenetta Best Pizza Florida

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Kitchenetta Pizza

If you haven’t been to Kitchenetta in Fort Lauderdale, you are missing the best pizza I might have ever had in South Florida. Kitchenetta is located on 2850 N. Federal Hwy in Fort Lauderdale. Years ago, my wife and I were driving through Fort Lauderdale, and we noticed this place on the east side of Federal Highway that looked kind of cute. Each time we passed it, we said ‘oh, we should try that one day”. That expression must have been used about 6-7 times before we stopped in one day to actually try it.

Once we finally did stop in to try it, I couldn’t believe how I ever did without it. The pizza was nothing less than incredible. That is right…the expert who looks for flaws thought this Italian Restaurant in Florida made some of the best pizza he has ever had. Even though kitchenetta, was extremely overpriced for many other things, including $3.00 for a can of soda. That is right, you heard me, they actually have the audacity to charge $3.00 for a can. A can that probably costs $0.25. Management should really do something about this!

Anyways, until I create worstpricesforsoda.com, we will just focus on the pizza. And what a great topic to focus on here. Let’s start with the oven. Look at this beauty of an oven Kitchenetta has installed. It is a Brick oven that burns White Oak. This is almost identical to the ones you would find in Naples, Italy. No gases used.

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The owner of the place explained to me that they only use Caputo Flour 00 for the dough, which adds to its amazing taste. You cannot help but bite into this dough and taste the quality. The Whole Milk Mozzarella cheese is home made daily which adds to the fresh taste. For their sauce they only use San Marzano tomatoes. Without even having the conversation with the owner, I could have basically guessed that they were using such fine, expensive ingredients in their pizza.

Before you are served the pizza, they give you this delightful pizza bread to snack on. Make sure you try this when you are there. Do not pass it up.

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The pizza to the right is their Lobster pizza, which Greg had, and didn’t really care for. He thought it was way too salty and that the lobster was tiny for the $18.00 price he was charged. But since I didn’t try it, nor would I ever try pizza with lobster, I cannot really say if he is right or wrong. He did however, agree on the regular pie I had, so maybe his tastebuds were accurate about his pizza too. I cannot say I was pleased with parts of the crust being overally charred, but it didn’t make a difference to the taste.

It has been without fail, that the dozens of friends I have recommended to this place, have quickly decided that it was their favorite. I won’t even get into how awesome their regular Italian Dishes are as well.

This could be the first perfect slice rating I have given to any place so far in South Florida. Kitchenetta gets 8 out of 8 slices, which equals perfection. Just remember, when it comes to their beverage pricing, this place is far from perfection. If the pizza wasn’t so amazing, I could never justify going back.

And guys……what the heck is up with your website! You need to have me redesign it!!

Boca Raton

Stella’s Pizza Boca Raton Not Perinni’s Anymore

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stella's pizza boca raton.jpegAt first we thought that Perinni’s Pizza in Boca Raton was going to close for good. Later we heard rumors that they were trying to move into the Peace a Pizza location on Yamato, this was never confirmed. Then we heard they were closing again. Just when you thought the saga was coming to an end, we heard they were looking at the location where Bloomin Newmans pizza was. I couldn’t take all the speculating stories being sent to me, so I decided to look beneath the cheese and see what might be going on out west in Boca Raton pizza land.

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Boca Raton

Big Louie’s Pizza Closed Boca Location

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Big Louie's Pizza After what seems like a pretty decent run for Big Louie’s Pizza in Boca Raton, they finally shut the doors.  This doesn’t really come as a surprise considering the location they were in.  Big Louie’s was located in one of the most hideous shopping centers in Boca Raton, next to the 7-eleven, and right near the head shop.  During the few occasions I ate there, prior to having this site, I never found Big Louie’s to be a place I craved.  The dough was airy, and the cheese and sauce did not taste like they were made out the finest ingredients.  They were more like a Papa John’s Pizza place where you can sit down and eat.  During my last visit there, many years ago, I had ants on the table and that is when I decided Big Louie’s was not for me.

While the Boca Raton location has closed, you can still eat at Big Louie’s Pizza at their other locations, if you cannot find anything better around your area.

Pizza

Pizzeria Uno Frozen Pizza

12 Comments

pizzeria-unoWe are extremely pleased to welcome Martha to the team of Experts!  More of Martha’s reviews can be read at:
http://www.examiner.com/x-5123-Chicago-Pizzeria-Examiner

You can also find her on twitter.  We suggest to add her to your follower ligt.

The picture should speak for itself.

I know that Pizzeria Uno is a legendary pizza institution, specifically known for its creation of the Chicago deep dish pizza, but its reincarnation in frozen form is rather un-delicious.

I’m like the Homer Simpson of rating pizzas. I might consider rating a pizza found under a couch an 7 out of 8 rating too if it tasted good…but the Pizzeria Uno Deep Dish Pepperoni was greasy, its cheese was moist (and it was not undercooked; the crispy burnt cheese on top verified that), and the sauce was soupy. As hungry as I was, there was  nothing inside of me pushing me to finish even half of the pizza—which might have been a blessing in disguise because that would have been a 1000 calories right there.

I will refuse to focus on just the negative here, however. This is pizza we’re talking about, a food gift for college students, people who can’t cook, and Book It! participants. The crust was edible, tasty even; I finished nearly all of the crust that contained some cheese residue. The pepperoni populated the pizza in a plentifully perfect manner. And I’m pretty sure I bought the Pizzeria Uno pizzas for under $12 at Jewel last week, so I’m pleased with that.

Using my Homer Simpson pizza rating, which IS certainly biased to overall edibility and not nuanced criticality, I will give this frozen deep dish pizza a 5 out of 8 slices. Next time get a frozen Gino’s East deep dish instead.