# How are places like Little Caesars HOT-N-READY pizzas made so quick? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 28, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160 "2012-10-28T22:30:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/41 "2012-10-30T19:32:08Z")
The worst possible pizza is all that brick oven artisan crap. They charge three times what a normal pizza costs, give you about 6 inches of crust and some goat cheese and pesto in a little circle. I can’t believe people buy that shit. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/42 "2012-10-30T19:32:14Z")
I don’t think they’re sifting the flour immediately prior to making your pie. (If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize) ---
**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:** [October 30, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/43 "2012-10-30T20:22:56Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > The worst possible pizza is all that brick oven artisan crap. They charge three times what a normal pizza costs, give you about 6 inches of crust and some goat cheese and pesto in a little circle. I can’t believe people buy that shit. A lot of the brick oven places truly are crap, but a lot of them are among the best pizzas I’ve ever had. I don’t know what you mean by 6 inches of pizza. A typical Neapolitan style is usually about 12 inches in diameter. They are generally fairly pricey compared with a regular thin crust pizza from your local Domino’s, though. My two favorite styles are Midwestern thin crust and Neapolitan-style brick oven. They all have their merits. Plus I’ll put in a vote for Detroit style pan. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/44 "2012-10-30T20:23:28Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > When it comes to cheap pizza, I feel sorry for people who don’t have a Hungry Howies. > > LC pizza is still overpriced at $5. > [@tomcar](#): > > Ive never had HH. Its good? HH is delicious-- especially their butter cheese crust. It’s not fancy pizza, but it’s about 5 steps up from LC on the cheap pizza deliciousness front. I’ll choose HH over LC, Pizza Hut, or Dominos any day. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/45 "2012-10-30T20:27:02Z")
I went to LC once and asked for the “Supreme” (sausage and some veggies) for all of $8 instead of the single ingredient $5 pizzas. It was every bit of a 15+ minute wait so I’m guessing there’s some ongoing prep time required for the $5 pizzas. They sure weren’t able to bang it out in 6-10 minutes. When I worked near a LC, I’d get the $5 offer now and then for lunch. I’d eat about half and toss the rest on to the break room table. It always disappeared and I never heard anyone complain. It always struck me as perfectly serviceable cheap pizza. Nothing I’d get for out of town guests but nothing to get offended by either. As someone else noted, it’s the best complete pizza five bucks can buy. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/46 "2012-10-30T20:52:13Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > I live just across the Mississippi River from you, and I, too, am a big fan of Punch. Very authentic Italian pizza, made super fast. So it’s good? What’s the best pizza they have? I drive by the location in Uptown a lot and I’ve been curious to try it out but none of my friends have been there so we always default to davanni’s. _makes note to go to Punch’s._ ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/47 "2012-10-30T21:00:58Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t know what you mean by 6 inches of pizza. A typical Neapolitan style is usually about 12 inches in diameter. I was commenting on how they stretch out the crust to some irregular shape and then only put toppings in the very center of the pizza. You order a 12 inch pie but you only really get 6 inches of actual toppings and a whole lot of crust. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/48 "2012-10-30T21:07:24Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > Okay, I’ll bite - where do you get Tony’s pizza for two dollars? > > To start off with, is this a restaurant franchise of some kind, or a brand of pizza you can get in a grocery store? [Tony’s Pizza](http://www.tonys.com/home.htm). They recently started making it square to fill the box. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/49 "2012-10-30T22:21:04Z")
You can call it all crap pizza, but when your doctor makes you go gluten free, you sure get a craving for it. Homemade gluten-free pizza just isn’t the same. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/50 "2012-10-30T23:27:39Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > So it’s good? What’s the best pizza they have? I drive by the location in Uptown a lot and I’ve been curious to try it out but none of my friends have been there so we always default to davanni’s. _makes note to go to Punch’s._ Check out their online menu. It’s all personal pizzas. Usually either basil based or oregeno based. I usually get the Palermo. No waiter either, fast counter service. Guarantee it will be a hit with at least one person in your group. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/51 "2012-10-31T05:19:55Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I was commenting on how they stretch out the crust to some irregular shape and then only put toppings in the very center of the pizza. You order a 12 inch pie but you only really get 6 inches of actual toppings and a whole lot of crust. Then either you are getting shitty pizza, or you have different expectations. I’ve never had a Neapolitan pizza that wasn’t topped throughout, although the toppings aren’t as heavy as on American style pizzas. I peteonay find this a plus, as most pizzas, to my taste, have way too much cheese and sauce. Pizza is about good bread first and foremost. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/52 "2012-10-31T13:52:51Z")
I recently saw “clams casino pizza” on a menu, which intrigued me so I ordered it because I love clams and I love pizza. Unfortunately, the clams were _in the shell_. Which made eating the pizza a little labor intensive. Still tasty though. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/53 "2012-10-31T14:12:00Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I recently saw “clams casino pizza” on a menu, which intrigued me so I ordered it because I love clams and I love pizza. Sounds like a trip to New Haven should be in your future. White clam pizza (no clams in their shell) is kind of their specialty. Or if you’re in Chicago, a visit to Piece, where white clam-and-bacon is a heavenly combo. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/54 "2012-10-31T15:41:36Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Check out their online menu. It’s all personal pizzas. Usually either basil based or oregeno based. I usually get the Palermo. No waiter either, fast counter service. > Guarantee it will be a hit with at least one person in your group. It will be a hit with _anyone_ who’s ever eaten a pizza in Italy. Punch is very authentic. I usually order the Toscano: Fresh mozzarella, crushed tomato, sausage, roasted red pepper, cracked red pepper, and basil. The Palermo is good, too, as **Hampshire** has indicated. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/55 "2012-10-31T18:16:40Z")
I used to love Little Caesars. Back in the 80’s it was my favorite pizza of all. Then at some point in the 90’s they really went downhill in quality. Now this Hot & Ready stuff (which is always ready but rarely hot) is worse still. I still find it edible, but just barely. Crazy Bread is still awesome, tho. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/56 "2012-10-31T18:16:58Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > You can call it all crap pizza, but when your doctor makes you go gluten free, you sure get a craving for it. Homemade gluten-free pizza just isn’t the same. Try to find Against the Grain brand frozen pizza. It’s AWESOME. ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/57 "2012-10-31T19:13:11Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > I used to love Little Caesars. Back in the 80’s it was my favorite pizza of all. Then at some point in the 90’s they really went downhill in quality. Now this Hot & Ready stuff (which is always ready but rarely hot) is worse still. I still find it edible, but just barely. > > Crazy Bread is still awesome, tho. Yeah man, LC was good back then. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/58 "2012-10-31T20:05:28Z")
In my bachelor days in the 90’s I would get LC’s “Pizza!Pizza!” which was just two pizzas wrapped together. It would be three night’s worth of dinners. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/59 "2012-11-01T02:39:42Z")
Point of order: I never said that there is _no_ bad pizza. I said that you had to try hard to make it bad. Putting tuna on a pizza counts as trying hard. Sheesh, if you want kosher pizza, just make it all veggies. There’s no law that says that pizza must have dead animal parts on it. ---
**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:** [November 1, 2012, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160/60 "2012-11-01T02:51:19Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Putting tuna on a pizza counts as trying hard. _Pizza al tonno_ is actually quite good. I’ll eat most any pizza put in front of me. However, most really isn’t that good. Lots of places put out shitty pizza. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-places-like-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pizzas-made-so-quick/639160.md?page=4)