# Why do so many chain pizzerias have Detroit roots? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 14, 2007, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005 "2007-06-14T16:02:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/21 "2007-06-14T22:12:45Z")
[QUOTE=slortar] You know, I grew up in the UP and I still have absolutely no recollection of what UP pizza tastes like. Must’ve grown up in a pizza-poor part of the peninsula… Well, except for the stuff they served in the Buckhorn tavern. That has the distinction of being the Worst Pizza I’ve Ever Had. Even after spending over a week camping out in the sticks, it still tasted awful. [/QUOTE] I’m thinking of places like Congress Pizza in Ishpeming and Tino’s in Negaunee. Marquette has good pizza as well. Interestingly enough, the best pizzas in Marquette come from places that I wouldn’t touch anything else on the menu. The Villa Capri makes a damn good pie, but everything else is flat out scary. Vango’s is also really good, but the rest of their menu is watered down Greek bar food. Not horrible, but not great either. Pizza up here tends to be thin crust with flavorful sauce. Congress, the best in the area IMO, has a cracker-crisp crust, so thin that two people can easily eat a large and not be anywhere near stuffed. In Colorado and other places to the west, everything seems to be big and doughy. Thick crust pizza does nothing for me. If I wanted that much bread, I’d have a sandwich. Never been to the Buckhorn. I’ll have to remember to stay away. ---
**Author:** ![some\_white\_dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b487fb/32.png) [@some\_white\_dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_white_dude)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/22 "2007-06-14T22:33:14Z")
The pizza described in the wiki article sounds a little like Cottage Inn’s deep dish. I’d like to try it, but this Buddy’s Restaurant doesn’t seem to have any locations close to Ann Arbor. [QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] Pizza House, the initial Dopefest place, has frickin’ awesome pizza. Like, downtown Ann Arbor Cottage Inn-good pizza. [/QUOTE] Great, now I can’t decide if I should go to Cottage Inn or Pizza House for dinner tonight. I’ve got a wedding on Saturday, so I can’t make it to the dopefest. I recommend the pulled pork sliders as an appetizer at Grizzly Peak, though. And now I’m salivating over Grizzly Peak. What to do? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/23 "2007-06-15T01:02:59Z")
Pizza Inn, another minor chain, originated in Dallas. Dallas is NOT know for good pizza. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/24 "2007-06-15T01:25:09Z")
[QUOTE=adam yax] I can say with certainty that I never think of New Haven when I think of pizza. [/QUOTE] I don’t either, but I’m wondering if the reference is to the movie “Mystic Pizza”? Which then leads me to ask if there is some legendary pizzeria upon which the movie was based? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/25 "2007-06-15T01:34:26Z")
There’s a pizza place in Mystic, Connecticut which inspired the movie. But Mystic is about an hour from New Haven, and the famous New Haven pizza places predate the movie by decades (Pepe’s was founded in 1925, Modern in 1934 and Sally’s in 1938). So no, that movie has nothing to do with the fame of New Haven pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/26 "2007-06-15T02:48:27Z")
[QUOTE=Team of Scientists] The pizza described in the wiki article sounds a little like Cottage Inn’s deep dish. I’d like to try it, but this Buddy’s Restaurant doesn’t seem to have any locations close to Ann Arbor. Great, now I can’t decide if I should go to Cottage Inn or Pizza House for dinner tonight. I’ve got a wedding on Saturday, so I can’t make it to the dopefest. I recommend the pulled pork sliders as an appetizer at Grizzly Peak, though. And now I’m salivating over Grizzly Peak. What to do? [/QUOTE] Pizza House. So good. Pepperoni breadsticks. Soooogoooooddddd. _drool_ ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/27 "2007-06-15T05:19:54Z")
Wiki article refers to Buddys and Shields pizza. They have been around for 50 years. The originals near Hamtramck ,which is Detroit. The Buddies and Shields that migrated to the burbs lost something but are still pretty good. They are square and deep dish. There are lots of private pizzerias so choice is everywhere. Plus of course Dominos and Little Caesars. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/28 "2007-06-15T11:42:43Z")
[QUOTE=Krokodil] The best pizza comes from Old Forge PA and Parlin NJ. Who knew? [/QUOTE] Well, I knew about the Old Forge part… ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/29 "2007-06-15T12:08:26Z")
[QUOTE=St. Urho] Would that be the Buckhorn outside of Munising? 'cause, yeah, their pizza sucks. [/QUOTE] Yep, that’s them. Been twenty years and I can **still** taste that awful sauce. [QUOTE=Athena] I’m thinking of places like Congress Pizza in Ishpeming and Tino’s in Negaunee. Marquette has good pizza as well. Interestingly enough, the best pizzas in Marquette come from places that I wouldn’t touch anything else on the menu. The Villa Capri makes a damn good pie, but everything else is flat out scary. Vango’s is also really good, but the rest of their menu is watered down Greek bar food. Not horrible, but not great either. [/QUOTE] Yikes. I only ate once at the VC–never occurred to me to order pizza. The other places, I’ll have to check out if I’m ever back in that neck of the woods and in a pizza frame of mind. It doesn’t surprise me that the Marquette area has good pizza joints tucked away in odd places. It’s that kind of town. I’d move back there in a heartbeat if I didn’t have to have a job. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/30 "2007-06-15T12:52:04Z")
**Little Cesar’s Pizza** was founded by Mike Illitch ( Red Wings Owner) and **Domino’s Pizza** was founded by Tom Monahan ( who once owned the Tigers.) Two huge pizza chains started here. We are not only a fat state ( I beleive only Alaska and possibly Wisconsin have us beat) we are lazy. We want our pizza fast and cheap and delivered. (Hey, who doesn’t.) I am pretty sure that either Monahan or Illitch came up with the fast, cheap ( possibly edible) pizza idea. I’ve also lived in Michigan my entire life and have never heard of Detroit Style Pizza. Best pizza I have ever had has been **Cottage Inn**. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/31 "2007-06-15T13:42:20Z")
Monahan did the 30-minute delivery bit. Ilitch doesn’t like delivery in his stores. 90 some odd percent of all company-run Little Caesars stores don’t deliver. The Little Carsars stores that do deliver, are almost always franchise stores. **Shirley** , try Pizza House. I’ll have to eat some for you on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/32 "2007-06-15T18:31:23Z")
[QUOTE=slortar] Yep, that’s them. Been twenty years and I can **still** taste that awful sauce. [/quote] I’d actually forgotten about it until you mentioned it. Now you owe me some good pizza… 😃 > [@](#): > > It doesn’t surprise me that the Marquette area has good pizza joints tucked away in odd places. It’s that kind of town. I’d move back there in a heartbeat if I didn’t have to have a job. Ditto. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/33 "2007-06-15T20:37:38Z")
[QUOTE=Shirley Ujest] We are not only a fat state ( I beleive only Alaska and possibly Wisconsin have us beat) we are lazy. [/QUOTE] Hey! According to [this page](http://calorielab.com/news/2006/08/12/fattest-states-2006/), you yahoos over dere in Michigan are ranked #11 in the fattest states, while us over here in 'Sconnie come in at a svelte #28! ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/34 "2007-06-15T21:08:21Z")
Minor hijack: Dopn’t suppose Athena or anyone else knows if there is a good pizza (or anything else) place in Ontonagon? I plan on doing Tour Da U.P (bike tour) and meals are included except for on the rest day which this year is in Porcupine Mt state park. I’m guessing Ontonagan is the closest place to eat (if we are at Union Bay) and am looking for suggestions… thanks, Brian ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2007, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/35 "2007-06-16T22:03:54Z")
I can’t help with Ontonagan, but if you go through Ironwood you must eat at Mike’s. Excellent pizza, among other things. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/36 "2007-06-17T00:19:44Z")
[hijack]While we’re at it, isn’t it weird that both Long John’s and Fazoli’s are from Lexington, Kentucky, a place known for neither seafood nor Italians?[/hijack] Then again, I guess you can’t franchise bourbon joints… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/37 "2007-06-17T03:08:20Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] I should also add that there are a couple of places here in Chicago that do a New Haven style pie. [/QUOTE] Can you make any recommendations? My curiosity about New Haven pizza has been piqued, but I don’t see a trip to CT in the near future. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2007, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/38 "2007-06-17T03:25:26Z")
[QUOTE=CaveMike] Can you make any recommendations? My curiosity about New Haven pizza has been piqued, but I don’t see a trip to CT in the near future. [/QUOTE] Coal Fire on Grand and Piece on North both have New Haven style pies. Like I said, I’ve never been to New Haven, so I can’t vouch for their authenticity, but they are definitely East Coast style pies–not the Chicago style cracker crust (which is also good), but an East Coast pie with a lighter hand on the toppings, a crust that is thin, but still foldable, and slightly charred on the edes. New Haven style is also marked by the use of a coal oven (not simply wood-fired), and I know Coal Fire, at least, uses coal (and wood) in their ovens, which get to a blistering 800-1000 degrees F. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/39 "2007-06-17T05:58:48Z")
I did a Google search and found [this](http://www.suntimes.com/food/414553,FOO-News-Coal06.stng) article from the Chicago Sun-Times about Coal Fire, which is only about a month old. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2007, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005/40 "2007-06-18T01:30:01Z")
[QUOTE=N9IWP] Minor hijack: Dopn’t suppose Athena or anyone else knows if there is a good pizza (or anything else) place in Ontonagon? I plan on doing Tour Da U.P (bike tour) and meals are included except for on the rest day which this year is in Porcupine Mt state park. I’m guessing Ontonagan is the closest place to eat (if we are at Union Bay) and am looking for suggestions… thanks, Brian [/QUOTE] In Ontonogon you must eat pasties. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-chain-pizzerias-have-detroit-roots/408005.md?page=3)