# Is there ANY Good Chain Pizza? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 6, 2002, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053 "2002-10-06T08:20:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_griffin-kentzel/32/14787_2.png) [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/41 "2002-10-07T20:59:13Z")
This thread is better suited for **IMHO**. I’ll move it for you. * * * **Cajun Man** - SDMB Moderator ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/42 "2002-10-07T23:58:15Z")
Another vote for Round Table. It’s good. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/43 "2002-10-08T00:41:56Z")
I am of the opinion that there is no nation-wide chain of pizza that can be consistently deemed “good.” Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar’s, Uno’s. . .it really doesn’t matter to me (I won’t even refer to Domino’s as pizza). Why is this? I grew up in the Chicago area. Practically the only pizza we ever had until I was about 10 years old was either from Jake’s (a local chain that does the friggin’ best thin crust pizza ever) or Lou Malnati’s. Most of the time, it was Lou Malnati’s, because my mom used to work by one. For me, it’s gotta be either Jake’s or Lou’s to be truly good. I’ll make exceptions for Gino’s East and Chicago Pizza Authority–I’ll enjoy pizzas from those places. Otherwise…I dunno what those other chains–Pizza Hut et al–are serving me, but it ain’t pizza. ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/44 "2002-10-08T01:49:50Z")
Yet another vote for Round Table as among the best. 🙂 I’ll eat (and enjoy) just about any brand of pizza, though, so my palate can hardly be regarded as particularly discriminating. Pizza Hut is quite fine by me, as are most of the various chains I’ve tried around here. Shakey’s is the only place I can think of whose pizza I actively did not like. ---
**Author:** ![Ace\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Ace\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace_Face)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/45 "2002-10-08T05:04:27Z")
Speaking of square pizza… it’s a small chain but has anyone else here tried Ledo’s? When I left the DC area they were expanding, I just wish they’d make it out to the West Coast. Damn I miss that stuff… ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/46 "2002-10-08T05:34:13Z")
I don’t think you’ll find it outside the upper midwest(mostly michigan) but by far the best pizza chain on earth is Cottage Inn. There is an actual Cottage Inn Restaurant in Ann Arbor, but there are take out pizza places all around the southwest lower michigan area, and I believe they have expanded to most of the college towns in the midwest. especially notable is their spinach pizza. I won’t get spinach on pizza anywhere else, but for some reason their’s is unbelivable. ---
**Author:** ![butter\_pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@butter\_pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butter_pie)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/47 "2002-10-08T05:38:40Z")
Ah, Pizza Inn, I had forgot about that one. I did like their pizza, but all of them have closed down around here. When I was in Minneapolis, there was one down the sidewalk from where I worked… I ate their for lunch, once, before they closed down too. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/48 "2002-10-08T12:08:46Z")
I’m with **brad\_d** and a couple others…you have to go far to find a pizza that I won’t like. Two that do come to mind: “Little Seizures” and Wolfgang Puck’s (frozen). Little Caesers, after having that once, it’s no wonder they have a two-for-one deal…it’s the only way people will eat that swill. Here’s a clue, guys…_salt_ is not a spice! As for WP, the frozen pizza I got from them was wretched. Chains that I like: [ul] [li]Round Table (The Best)[/li][li]Pizza Hut – good pizza, and hey, delivery guys take personal checks! Can’t beat that.[/li][li]Domino’s – not outstanding, but okay.[/li][li]Numero Uno – haven’t had one in a while, but loved the crust and cheese. Wish they wouldn’t do the tomato chunks.[/li][li]Straw Hat[/li][/ul] Frozen ones: [ul] [li]Stouffer’s French Bread Pizzas. Proof there is a God. :)[/li][li]Freschetta’s. Great crust[/li][li]Tombstone. Not bad. We usually add some extra mozzarella and pineapple, though[/li][li]Red Baron – ditto.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![annieclaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5a626/32.png) [@annieclaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annieclaus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/49 "2002-10-08T13:24:54Z")
There is no good chain pizza. Period. Take the time to make your own. You’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven. And your kids will love you, too. Making sauce is simple. Even making the crust is pretty easy, too, especially if you have a food processor. You can add as many toppings in whatever amounts you choose. And it’s cheaper! Yum! ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/50 "2002-10-08T13:32:18Z")
Another vote for Hungry Howies. The flavored crusts really add to it. Pizza Hut’s stuffed crust pizza was always good to me. Especially because I could squeeze 3 meals out of it for only $10. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/51 "2002-10-08T13:36:59Z")
Another vote in favor of domino’s. They are very consistent. If you can find a local place that is better sometimes, it’s usually more hit and miss. Pretty much everywhere in Conneticut and western MA you find a lot of square cut pizzas. The pizza itself is round, with the slices small squares. Very odd. Some pieces are all crust while others have none. I don’t get it. I’ve been meaning to buy a pizza stone for a while. Is there anything I should be looking for? Does one need to buy a “good one” somewhere, or are the stones they sell in the supermarket fine? ---
**Author:** ![Bindlestiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bindlestiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bindlestiff)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/52 "2002-10-08T13:43:34Z")
If you are ever in central Texas, you need to try Mr. Gatti’s. Good toppings - BEST crust I’ve ever tasted. ---
**Author:** ![DocHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DocHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocHopper)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/53 "2002-10-08T17:06:06Z")
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Giordano’s restaurants in Chicago! So good, deep dish and cheesy, it’s worth the 45 minute-1 hour wait. In Minnesota, I have to make do with Uno’s or Green Mill to get my Chicago-style fix. Very good, but not as good as Giordano’s or Gino’s. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/54 "2002-10-08T22:35:19Z")
Psst…DocHopper, see interface2x’s post where he gives a shout out to Giordano’s. ---
**Author:** ![Jerrybear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8c91f0/32.png) [@Jerrybear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerrybear)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/55 "2002-10-08T23:44:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 5-HT \* > \*\*I don’t think you’ll find it outside the upper midwest(mostly michigan) but by far the best pizza chain on earth is Cottage Inn. There is an actual Cottage Inn Restaurant in Ann Arbor, but there are take out pizza places all around the southwest lower michigan area, and I believe they have expanded to most of the college towns in the midwest. especially notable is their spinach pizza. I won’t get spinach on pizza anywhere else, but for some reason their’s is unbelivable. \*\* Yes, yes, YES!!! Cottage Inn is some excellent 'za! As you mentioned, the original Cottage Inn is indeed in my beloved city of Ann Arbor, Michigan (Hail to the Victors Valiant!). I know they have expanded to other parts of Michigan, but I was not aware that they have made it out of the Wolverine State yet. They always have slices for sale at the Ann Arbor art fair, and I typically make that my lunch and/or dinner while browsing the fair. I have been to Madison, WI a couple of times and was quite impressed with Rocky Roccoco’s. Little Caesar’s is usually pretty good, and they are also pretty inexpensive as is Hungry Howie’s. Not quite as good as Cottage Inn or Rocky, but good enough. ---
**Author:** ![Jerrybear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8c91f0/32.png) [@Jerrybear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerrybear)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/56 "2002-10-08T23:46:26Z")
Slightly off topic: besides the original Cottage Inn Pizza, the original Borders Book Store is also in Ann Arbor. For many years it was in fact the ONLY Borders Book Store, and it was kind of weird at first to see them in places as far flung as San Francisco and New York City! ---
**Author:** ![Lorenzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4da419/32.png) [@Lorenzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorenzo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/57 "2002-10-09T02:35:40Z")
Giordano’s, Edwardo’s and Chicago Pizza Authority all make a top-notch stuffed pizza, the only pizza that I really like. IMHO all the others make a decent thin crust or hand tossed, all different but none necessarily much better than the others. ---
**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053/58 "2002-10-09T23:32:33Z")
The best pizza I have ever had was in Chicago. I can’t even remember the name of the place. There’s a place in Seattle that’s pretty good as well. We just moved from a small town near Charleston, SC and there was a small place down the street called “Wings, Etc.” and their pizza was pretty good. Mellow Mushroom pizza is also awesome. For big chain stuff, I like Papa Johns, Mr. Gatti’s, and Uno’s. For the most part, though, I just get the veggie pizza from Freschetta and pop it in the oven. It’s better than most delivery and cheaper. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-good-chain-pizza/131053.md?page=2)