We had a couple of friends over this weekend, and in between games of Zombies!!!, we had the usual discussion about what pizza to order.
Except this time, it strayed a bit from the normal toppings debate. This time, one of the gamers asked if we could order from Papa John’s. And before I could tell him that I really can’t eat Papa John’s without getting sick, another friend chipped in that he couldn’t eat Papa John’s without getting sick.
So, in a room of four people, two of us have bad gut-level reactions to Papa John’s. The symptoms, (and here we get into TMI territory) common to both of us, are rapid-onset high-pressure diarrhea.
Which set me to wondering; does this happen to just the two of us, or is it everyone? I was relieved to know that one other person had noticed this syndrome; I’d be fascinated to hear if it’s commonplace.
It did me, but not that kind of sick. I’ve only had Papa John’s once, and not by choice. It was the only thing offered for lunch at an all day meeting, so it was either eat a piece of pizza, or starve until 5pm. Had they told people that they were going to order pizza instead of subs per usual, I’d have brought my own lunch. I don’t have anything against pizza, really, but I’m allergic to basil which is a key componant of most pizza sauces. I can usually have a piece or two without reaction if I scrape all the sauce off, which I did. I only ate one piece, but despite removing a good 90% of the sauce I had the worst reaction I’ve ever had. I didn’t even realize your tongue and mouth could itch. It’s one miserable experience I’ll never repeat. Papa Johns is Satan’s pizza.
I love Papa John’s. Eat it all the time never gotten sick. I like the thin crust the best. Sorry it does that to you all, but I’m sure you’re in the minority.
Never been sick from it over here, either. I am pissed, though, that they closed the location closest to my apartment and no longer have one within delivery distance…
I dunno…I live in Brooklyn, where excellent pies from small mom-and-pop pizzerias are readily available on nearly every street corner, so I would never patronize a chain establishment.
Since you’re in Tucson, why not order out for burritos instead?
I don’t mind Papa John’s when it’s fresh out of the box, but I find that it’s quite hideous when reheated. It’s as if some chemical reaction occurs after the heat goes out of the pizza the first time that causes everything to go horribly wrong.
I’ve known several people who said that Papa John’s pizza gives them the squirts. I don’t know why it would do that, though, and it doesn’t seem to have that effect on me.
In my experience, squirts are caused by A) lots and lots of grease and 2) undercooked meat, both of which are very possible here. The grease, I suppose, could be soaked up with a paper towel or twelve. And make sure you heat the pizza to in internal temp of 160•F.
I’ve had Papa John’s once, without incident, but this pearl of wonder orginated from this very board, some time ago.
Hmmm… taste’s vary. I think Pizza Hut should be sued for calling their awful crap “pizza”, and the very mediocre Domino’s grease shingles are no prize either. Both are far inferior to the thick, yeasty Papa John’s pies.
I’ve never had a problem with it, and I also think it’s the best of the chains. Last I checked, they were giving away free cheese sticks with a large pizza. Mmmmm.
Wow, I came in here with the old Superdude quote, and was beaten by three posts. While I’ve never gotten physically sick from it, I wouldn’t hit a dog in the ass with a slice of it either.
Then again, I have some sort of industrial-grade stomach. I’ve had airline meals that I thought were downright tasty.
Papa John’s always gives me horrible stomach cramps. I don’t experience those with other chains. I did eat an entire circle of PJ’s cheese sticks this weekend without getting sick, though. Even used the garlic dipping sauce, which I don’t use on the pizza. Go figure.
I like Papa John’s and it’s never bothered me once. I even pick out on the pepperoncini.
(A bit of trivia: reading an article about the founder of Papa John’s, I discovered that he went to my high school (Jeffersonville HS, J’ville, IN) one year behind me, and I had absolutely no memory of him at all. Plus he used to work at Rocky’s Sub Pub, my high school hangout.)
Not to sound like an idiot, but does Papa John’s = Papa Gino’s?
If not, it’s never made me sick, but I make a point of only getting cheese pizza from them. It’s actually pretty good for just plain old cheese pizza. If I want something with toppings, I’ll take the local pizzeria, thank you very much (we FINALLY got a good pizza place in this here town a couple years ago, the other two are crap).
I had (the misfortune of eating) Papa John’s once, and never again. It was without doubt the worst pizza I’ve ever had. The cheese was a solid sheet of cold, clammy yuck. I seriously considered going back to the store and demanding my money back, but we threw it out after a few bites.
And that was before the real damage - I got really, painfully sick, with diarrhea and vomiting all the next day.
I never got sick but I did get pissed off recently with them without ever tasting their product.
I called and ordered for the first time about a week ago and waited over an hour (the store is about a mile away), called back and was told they refused my order because I had a bad credit card order with them. Never ordered from them before and Ive never had a credit card anyway. I assumed it could easily be cleared up, maybe it was due to a former resident even though I’ve lived here several years.
Nope, this supposedly happened the week before.
And I’ve been permanently banned.
Boo hoo.
I order pizza just about every weekend for my kid’s study group and they lost a good tipping customer.
Pizza Hut tastes better anyway. And no painful diarrhea!
