# pizza squares rather than wedges **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 9, 2001, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477 "2001-09-09T03:56:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/21 "2001-09-09T15:41:31Z")
Oh, lordy! Do I ever remember the first time this NY born and bred, but currently living in Jersey girl ever ate a pizza in Western Mass. I thought it was the coming of the apocalypse. I still do, in fact. I spend a lot of time up there. Now I just order it cut in wedges. The pizza still sucks, however. **Nineiron:** From where in Western Mass do you come? Because if you could tell me of a decent Pizza place in the Greenfield/Shelburne Falls area, I’d be much obliged. Northhampton is a bit to fasr south for my purposes. (And that place in Ashfield that’s supposed to be good? It isn’t.) ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/22 "2001-09-09T15:58:57Z")
IME, in the Chicago area, deep dish or stuffed pizza is generally cut into wedges, but thin crust is generally cut into squares. “Pizza” that comes from national chains does not qualify as actual pizza, IMO. Yeah, I’m a pizza snob - I grew up on the south side, so I’m entitled. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2001, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/23 "2001-09-09T17:50:19Z")
> [@](#): > > This would fit better in IMHO than in General Questions. What on earth makes “how do they cut the pizza where you live” an opinion piece? The _fact_ is that they cut it both ways here. Another Chicago person, so my lot’s been mainly answered. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/24 "2001-09-09T17:52:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jeffro \* > \*\*Columbus Ohio checkin in. > We have squares and wedges here. \*\* You wouldn’t happen to be talking about Marion’s Pizza, would you? For the squares, that is. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/25 "2001-09-09T17:57:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jophiel \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > This would fit better in IMHO than in General Questions. > > What on earth makes “how do they cut the pizza where you live” an opinion piece? \*\* I think because it’s considered a poll. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/26 "2001-09-09T18:02:07Z")
In Milwaukee, the best pizza (imho) is at a place that makes them oblong, with a very thin crust. Wedges would be difficult to handle. Squares are perfect for handling them with gluttonous glee! And this from a guy who used to think that square pizza pieces were heresy. Live and learn. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/27 "2001-09-09T18:06:16Z")
Hey, if you like this thread, you might like the [previous thread on the subject](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=54515). I even sent a question about this to Cecil, though he hasn’t gotten back to me. Too busy talking about fish in the urethra, it seems. ---
**Author:** ![nineiron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e56c9b/32.png) [@nineiron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nineiron)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/28 "2001-09-09T18:15:20Z")
Green Bean, Nope, I’m in Chicopee, so I don’t travel up to Shelburne/Greenfield for pizza, that’s for sure. I am NOT a pizza snob. I will try and probably enjoy any pizza, so I may not be the guy to ask about the best pizza place. ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/29 "2001-09-09T18:50:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nineiron \* > \*\*Recently, a friend of mine and his fiancee (from elsewhere in the country) had a pizza at a local (Western Massachusetts) pizza joint. She found it highly unusual that the pizza, rather than being cut into triangular slices, was cut into squares (well, at least the middle pieces are square; the edges are rounded squares since the pizza is round). Since I always have my pizza this way, I’ve never really thought about it. She said she’s been to quite a few places in the country and this is the first she’s seen of it. So, is it just in Western Mass that pizza is cut this way, or was she nuts? \*\* It’s the same way here in the capital district of NY. However, in Massachusetts, pizza is always in wedges. Even more proof for my theory that Western Mass is a whole different state. ---
**Author:** ![Pink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@Pink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pink)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/30 "2001-09-09T20:20:40Z")
I love to cut mine into **many irregular shapes**. I just try to get the same number of pepperonis on each piece. The result is not a lot of straight-line cuts, let me assure you! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/31 "2001-09-09T20:37:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nineiron \* > \*\*OK, thanks, all. It looks like she comes from a rare place: one that does not know the joy of “the middle piece” with no bothersome crust. \*\* Ah-but the crust is the best part! ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/32 "2001-09-09T23:56:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jophiel \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > This would fit better in IMHO than in General Questions. > > What on earth makes “how do they cut the pizza where you live” an opinion piece? The _fact_ is that they cut it both ways here. > > \*\* IMHO is the place for polling. I’m guessing **bib** thought the thread was more a poll than a question with _an_ answer. Given the research basis and high traffic in GQ this thread really DOES fit better here. Cut poor **bib** some slack, m’kay? He’s still in the probationary period, i.e. locked in a cage in Cecil’s basement, his ankle manacled to a computer desk. He gets a bowl of water, stale Doritos and one bathroom break every 4 hours. But at least he’s stopped flinching at every whipcrack. Veb ---
**Author:** ![nineiron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e56c9b/32.png) [@nineiron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nineiron)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/33 "2001-09-10T01:04:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flymaster \* > \*\* > It’s the same way here in the capital district of NY. However, in Massachusetts, pizza is always in wedges. Even more proof for my theory that Western Mass is a whole different state. \*\* That would suit me fine–then my taxes wouldn’t have to go to the freaking Big Dig out in Boston that I will never ever use… Now that I think about it, though, I did have a friend from Boston way who also thought it odd that we had squares of pizza and not wedges. So the question is, how do you have a really huge party-sized pizza? If the thing is 36 inches across, how can you possibly have wedges? It wouldn’t fit on a plate. You’re going to have an 18-inch long wedge of pizza? Seems a bit cumbersome. Or maybe the “party sized” pizza is not a popular concept in Boston/wherever else square pieces are not common? It’s somehow comforting around here that if you have people over, you can get a pizza with 40 pieces in it. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/34 "2001-09-10T01:40:23Z")
Here in NJ, if we have a lot of people over, we _ORDER MORE THAN ONE PIZZA!_ :rolleyes: 😃 😛 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/35 "2001-09-10T02:32:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > \*\*Here in NJ, if we have a lot of people over, we _ORDER MORE THAN ONE PIZZA!_ :rolleyes: 😃 😛 \*\* Yeah, and I’ll bet you ask for it to be cut in squares. Then you make your company eat the edges. Hush, **Guinastasia**. 🙂 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![MentalGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@MentalGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MentalGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/36 "2001-09-10T02:55:18Z")
When I worked at Domino’s in Lexington, KY if someone wanted their pizza cut into square instead of wedges, we referred to it as a “Chicago Cut”. I have no idea why. I have been to Chicago and the pizza we ordered was cut in wedges. ---
**Author:** ![Sasquatch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@Sasquatch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sasquatch)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/37 "2001-09-10T02:56:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by porcupine \* > **IME, in the Chicago area, deep dish or stuffed pizza is generally cut into wedges, but thin crust is generally cut into squares.** What porcupine said exactly. ---
**Author:** ![bugg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@bugg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bugg)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/38 "2001-09-10T03:01:25Z")
Here in Connecticut, we have both wedges and squares… always stumped me too, because I prefer wedges (I enjoy being able to grasp the crust- seems to make things neater for me) over squares, but hey, pizza’s pizza. Then one day, I was at a local pizza joint and realized that if you ordered a small, it came in wedges, and mediums or larger came in squares. It seems that if the pizza is really large, they assume that squares are easier to handle (and they’re probably right) than very long wedges. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2001, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/39 "2001-09-10T05:12:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Cut poor bib some slack, m’kay? He’s still in the probationary period, i.e. locked in a cage in Cecil’s basement, his ankle manacled to a computer desk. He gets a bowl of water, stale Doritos and one bathroom break every 4 hours. But at least he’s stopped flinching at every whipcrack. Fair enough. I really didn’t mean for it to sound hostile; was more just wondering since it seemed like a cut and dry question (to me). If it really bothered me I would have written one of those Pit posts that’s titled “Bib… a word please” or whatever the in vouge way of yelling at a moderator is 🙂 My apologises. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477/40 "2001-09-10T07:08:27Z")
My father, whose parents immigrated from Sicily, prefers wedge slices…and he likes to eat two at a time, one on top of the other, upside down. I guess this is the nearest thing to calzone that he can get in a place that has no Little Italy. He will, if given the slightest encouragement, reminisce about how the old time bakers would sometimes make small pizzas with leftover bread dough, with only tomato sauce and a bit of cheese. He insists that THIS is how pizzas got started. But he’s happy to eat a loaded pizza. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-squares-rather-than-wedges/80477.md?page=3)