# American pizza **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970 "2003-12-19T14:42:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/1 "2003-12-19T14:42:50Z")
In another thread about state mottos I suggested Hawaii: the pizza state. **Fern Forest** (a Waikiki alum) asked what inside knowledge I had. Well none - > [@](#): > > ## quote: > > ## Originally posted by don’t ask You don’t have Hawaiian pizza = ham and pineapple? > > Oh, we just call it pizza. Now on movies American pizza always looks pretty bland but surely it has names. If you want **The Godfather** Mozzarella cheese, fresh & sun-dried tomato, pepperoni, bacon, capsicum, olives, oregano, garlic; or maybe the **El Scorcho** Mozzarella cheese, beef, onion, fresh tomato, jalapenos, pepperoni, chilli flakes; or the **Roast Garlic and Olive Supreme** Mozzarella cheese, olive tapenade, beef, pepperoni, bacon, capsicum, onion, mushroom, olives, fresh garlic or even the **Vegorama** Mozzarella cheese, capsicum, mushroom, onion, fresh & sun-dried tomato, garlic, oregano what do you guys order? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/2 "2003-12-19T14:48:57Z")
Can I take this opportunity to ask again “what is it about American pizzas that makes them taste so damn good?” Having recently returned from Rome, I concede that the Italians make equally fantastic pizzas, but they’re totally different from the American ones. There is a _je ne sais quoi_ about American pizza that is just amazing, and I’ve never tasted this outside the US. Any ideas? BTW my fave toppings are anchovy, Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni. Artichoke is groovy, too. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/3 "2003-12-19T14:51:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > \*\*BTW my fave toppings are anchovy, Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni. Artichoke is groovy, too. \*\* So what do you order to get these toppings? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/4 "2003-12-19T14:52:15Z")
Names? I always order my pizzas by ingredients. Mozzarella cheese is pretty much a given on all American pizzas (unless you’re in some gourmet-type place.) Italian sausage, green peppers, and onions is my normal order. If you’re in an honest-to-goodness Italian joint, you may be able to find the classics: Pizza Quattro Stagioni, Margherita, Marinara, Napoletana, etc. But in your average place, you’ll get blank stares if you try ordering any of these. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/5 "2003-12-19T14:54:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by don’t ask \* > \*\*So what do you order to get these toppings? \*\* “Large pizza with anchovy, Italian sausage, ground beef, and pepperoni” usually does it. You can usually even make pizzas half one set of ingredients, half another. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/6 "2003-12-19T14:54:39Z")
So in the movie when someone orders a pepperoni pizza it’s just sauce, cheese and pepperoni slices? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/7 "2003-12-19T14:55:47Z")
Yep. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/8 "2003-12-19T14:59:00Z")
Yup - I order a “plain” (marguerita) “with the following toppings… bla bla.” Domino’s recently introduced a “Tuscan vegetable” pizza with courgette, mushrooms, peppers and onions on it. Quite the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/9 "2003-12-19T15:07:47Z")
That’s really interesting. I used to eat pizza back in the 70s when all you could get was _Pizza Quattro Stagioni, Margherita, Marinara, Napoletana_ cooked on massive rectangular trays and served by the slice. They were only available (to my knowledge) in one little area of Sydney. Then the first Pizza Hut came, followed by little family run suburban businesses everywhere and then the rest of the chains. I wonder how the Australian method of ordering came about and how they knew we’d like it. Here other than “hold the olives” and “hold the anchovies” everyone just orders by the name of the combination even at the snotty gourmet places. Fascinating, eh? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/10 "2003-12-19T15:09:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > \*\*Can I take this opportunity to ask again “what is it about American pizzas that makes them taste so damn good?” > > Having recently returned from Rome, I concede that the Italians make equally fantastic pizzas, but they’re totally different from the American ones. There is a _je ne sais quoi_ about American pizza that is just amazing, and I’ve never tasted this outside the US. Any ideas? > > \*\* Well, except for New York Pizzas, and a couple of thin-crust joints in Chicago, I’d say Italian pizza is far tastier. I can’t stand Domino’s, Pizza Hut or Papa John’s. As for differences, American pizza tends to be thicker than Italian pizza. Also, the tomato sauce is usually much more flavored and much more generously applied than its Italian counterpart. I suspect this is why you like it better. ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/11 "2003-12-19T15:19:40Z")
don’t ask, every pizza shop might have their specials named, but there is no guarentee that there is crossover between them. The local place I frequent has Vegetarian Special (onion, broccoli, eggplant, mushroom, green pepper) Meat Special (sausage, ham, canadian bacon, hamburger, pepperoni) Greek (black olives, feta, sliced tomatoes, oregano) White (pesto sauce instead of tomato, chicken breast) and so on, but probably 90% of the time people order from the toppings menu by saying things like “gimme a large with extra cheese, onion, meatball and mushroom.” ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/12 "2003-12-19T15:33:57Z")
Here’s a related question: in Italy, can you order by toppings, or would they look at you funny? I know they have all those set pizzas like Pizza Quattro Formaggio, and the one with four quadrants (one of which is artichoke). ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/13 "2003-12-19T15:44:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pulykamell \* > **Mozzarella cheese is pretty much a given on all American pizzas (unless you’re in some gourmet-type place.)** Or in St. Louis. A _lot_ of local places/chains use a cheese product called [provel](http://foodcraver.com/5lbprovchees.html). When melted, it is quite runny, and has a unique flavor. Many people hate it, I’ve always loved it. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/14 "2003-12-19T15:58:27Z")
Yeah, **don’t ask** , while individual chains may have names for their particular styles of pie, it’s not standardized in the US. A “Brand Y” pizza at Pizza Hut may be unheard-of at Papa John’s or Domino’s. When we order pizza, usually we just specify the size and then list the toppings we want. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/15 "2003-12-19T15:59:19Z")
By the way, does _anyone_ eat frozen pizza just as it comes? Well, not still frozen; I mean, does anyone just take a frozen pizza out of the box and pop it in the oven? I always have to add sauce, spices, maybe extra toppings . . . Can’t imagine just eating a frozen pizza as-is. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/16 "2003-12-19T16:03:00Z")
A few things. A Hawaiian is generally known to be ham and pineapple in the United States in my experience, but I would still just order it as ham and pineapple. As far as I know, that’s the only truly universal named pizza. Different joints have different names for certain pizzas, but generally you order by size, type (thin crust, pan, etc.) and topping. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/17 "2003-12-19T16:04:16Z")
I’m going to have to get pizza for lunch now. Mmm. This place by my work has the best pepperoni pizza in the world. The crust is all soft, and the mozzarella is all melty and delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/18 "2003-12-19T16:33:15Z")
Eve said, > [@](#): > > Mmmmm . . . Pizza . . . > By the way, does anyone eat frozen pizza just as it comes? Well, not still frozen; I mean, does anyone just take a frozen pizza out of the box and pop it in the oven? I always have to add sauce, spices, maybe extra toppings . . . Can’t imagine just eating a frozen pizza as-is. I won’t eat a frozen pizza unless I’m starving and have no way to receive a delivery. It’s just wrong. I will, however, eat a Boboli Pizza. I had a Boboli party once. Everyone thought it was fun and tasty. We have a great pizza joint by us…we just love them. Everyone else pales by comparison. Unfortunately, their a one-shop operation, so if we venture from home, we’re SOL. Husband likes The Special, which is Onion, Greenpepper, Mushroom, Sausage, Peperoni. I like mushroom, fresh tomato and fresh basil, if I can get it. We’re having our least favorite pizza (Rosati’s) tonight at the in-laws. But at least I don’t have to cook! ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/19 "2003-12-19T16:35:02Z")
> [@](#): > > By the way, does anyone eat frozen pizza just as it comes? Yep, we do. We are rather odd, though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970/20 "2003-12-19T18:21:08Z")
'Spain to me this Boboli party. Sounds intriguing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-pizza/219970.md?page=2)