We order takeout from one of our favorite pizza spots pretty regularly. The pies are usually great, but they never come with any cheese browning. When I bake a frozen pizza at home, I always go for that "golden leopard spots" look on the cheese — those little browned bubbles add so much flavor.
I know it varies by style, but I'm curious: what's your preference — a paler pie or some good browning on top? And how does your local delivery place handle it?
A little brown is OK, but too much ruins the flavor to me. I like it gooey and yellow.
I love me some good 🍕🤤😋🐢🐢
Debonairs is the best locally 🍕🍕😊
yes, had pizza tonight. got to have it brown. packaging suggested 10 mins, kept it in for 15
not a fan of the floppy underdone pizza. if you pick up a slice and it droops that's not good
Goodfellas deep pan ones tend to be to my liking
How hot you cook it can be a factor, too. There's a Frank Pepe's location at a mall near where I live. The pies are crispy AND gooey.
edit: it's a charcoal oven.
I can't do it with any browning on it.
Like it crispy though, but just enough. Also depends on the place I get it from, and if it's a breakfast pie, or just a regular one.
what do you guys mean by 'pie' here?
in england this is a pie
(https://www.pukkapies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/at_home.png)
Quote from: zombie no.one on March 31, 2026, 12:47:51 PMwhat do you guys mean by 'pie' here?
in england this is a pie
(https://www.pukkapies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/at_home.png)
Pizza.
We have that kind of pie here too. I've never eaten it, though.
"Pizza pie." It's mainly slang used in the US Northeast, where there are a lot of Italian immigrants.
You peeps are making me hungry with all this talk about 🍕 and 🥟 🥧 😋🤤
Quote from: HappyGilmore on March 31, 2026, 12:55:06 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on March 31, 2026, 12:47:51 PMwhat do you guys mean by 'pie' here?
in england this is a pie
(https://www.pukkapies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/at_home.png)
Pizza.
We have that kind of pie here too. I've never eaten it, though.
okay so if someone said "let's go for a pie" you'd assume they meant let's go for a pizza?
Quote from: zombie no.one on March 31, 2026, 01:31:04 PMQuote from: HappyGilmore on March 31, 2026, 12:55:06 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on March 31, 2026, 12:47:51 PMwhat do you guys mean by 'pie' here?
in england this is a pie
(https://www.pukkapies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/at_home.png)
Pizza.
We have that kind of pie here too. I've never eaten it, though.
okay so if someone said "let's go for a pie" you'd assume they meant let's go for a pizza?
If I was in the Northeast and/or among people of Italian descent I would. Anywhere else, I'd think they were very strange individuals.
Some of the Italians here call marinara sauce "gravy".
Quote from: Rev. Powell on March 31, 2026, 02:31:38 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on March 31, 2026, 01:31:04 PMQuote from: HappyGilmore on March 31, 2026, 12:55:06 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on March 31, 2026, 12:47:51 PMwhat do you guys mean by 'pie' here?
in england this is a pie
(https://www.pukkapies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/at_home.png)
Pizza.
We have that kind of pie here too. I've never eaten it, though.
okay so if someone said "let's go for a pie" you'd assume they meant let's go for a pizza?
If I was in the Northeast and/or among people of Italian descent I would. Anywhere else, I'd think they were very strange individuals.
thanks, I'll bear that in mind for when I hit the American leg of my world pizza tour.
Quote from: zombie no.one on March 31, 2026, 01:31:04 PMQuote from: HappyGilmore on March 31, 2026, 12:55:06 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on March 31, 2026, 12:47:51 PMwhat do you guys mean by 'pie' here?
in england this is a pie
(https://www.pukkapies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/at_home.png)
Pizza.
We have that kind of pie here too. I've never eaten it, though.
okay so if someone said "let's go for a pie" you'd assume they meant let's go for a pizza?
Yes. I would. But I'm in the US northeast. I mean, I can't speak for the New England states part of the northeast, but in the NY/NJ/PA area that's how we'd take it to mean.
Quote from: lester1/2jr on March 31, 2026, 03:50:41 PMSome of the Italians here call marinara sauce "gravy".
Depends on how it's prepared. All gravy is sauce, but not all sauce is gravy.
cool. in england (old england?) 'pie' exclusively means like what's in that photo. filled pastries
this is anecdotal but I've heard in Italy they don't really do 'round' pizzas, only big rectangular ones cut into slices? will try and verify that next time I see my italian mate
fav varieties?
I'm a classic pepperoni, mushroom + green peppers guy, but also dig a hawaiian ham+ pineapple as well. (pretty much the only 'sweet and savoury' combo of any food that I can tolerate tbh... I cannot stand sultanas in curries. actually makes me retch. caramelised onion is another instant no-no)
love chicken but not generally into chicken on pizza. not sure why, just seems wrong. not a fan of anchovies either really, too salty
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 01, 2026, 05:02:01 AMcool. in england (old england?) 'pie' exclusively means like what's in that photo. filled pastries
this is anecdotal but I've heard in Italy they don't really do 'round' pizzas, only big rectangular ones cut into slices? will try and verify that next time I see my italian mate
Like Sicilian pizza? Thicker dough/crust? Never been to Italy, can't confirm how authentic though. I don't like that kind, but I guess cause I'm so used to the round.
Pizza varieties:
1.) Pepperoni
2.) Sausage
3.) Buffalo Chicken Pizza
4.) Breakfast pizza. Breakfast pizza here doesn't have the sauce. Generally it's the dough and cheese, but the toppings are breakfast related. Usually scrambled eggs with your variety of breakfast meats, whichever one you'd like: bacon, breakfast sausage, scrapple, pork roll, ham, etc. They'll add a sauce if asked.
5.) Chicken Caesar Pizza. Sounds disgusting, but it's pretty good.
A place here has a pizza where the toppings are basically everything on a Big Mac from McDonalds. They can't call it a Big Mac though, but it's got the ground beef, lettuce, special sauce, etc.
Pepperoni never fails. Pork in general always works. Barbecue chicken is also solid. Plain cheese is fine. And I love a good margarita pizza (tomato, cheese, basil).
Quote from: HappyGilmore on April 01, 2026, 07:38:44 AMA place here has a pizza where the toppings are basically everything on a Big Mac from McDonalds. They can't call it a Big Mac though, but it's got the ground beef, lettuce, special sauce, etc.
I'm sure that's probably nice but just the concept is a bit gross to me, haha
Quote from: Rev. Powell on April 01, 2026, 08:56:34 AMAnd I love a good margarita pizza (tomato, cheese, basil).
fine as one slice for a snack / party food etc, but as a main I need some kind of meat!
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 01, 2026, 10:14:12 AMQuote from: HappyGilmore on April 01, 2026, 07:38:44 AMA place here has a pizza where the toppings are basically everything on a Big Mac from McDonalds. They can't call it a Big Mac though, but it's got the ground beef, lettuce, special sauce, etc.
I'm sure that's probably nice but just the concept is a bit gross to me, haha
Quote from: Rev. Powell on April 01, 2026, 08:56:34 AMAnd I love a good margarita pizza (tomato, cheese, basil).
fine as one slice for a snack / party food etc, but as a main I need some kind of meat!
I've only had it inebriated. I've never had it sober. It actually doesn't taste bad, but I usually land on pepperoni or something most times
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 01, 2026, 05:05:53 AMfav varieties?
I'm a classic pepperoni, mushroom + green peppers guy, but also dig a hawaiian ham+ pineapple as well. (pretty much the only 'sweet and savoury' combo of any food that I can tolerate tbh... I cannot stand sultanas in curries. actually makes me retch. caramelised onion is another instant no-no)
love chicken but not generally into chicken on pizza. not sure why, just seems wrong. not a fan of anchovies either really, too salty
From watching UK peope & pizza videos on youtube, many like to drizzle hot (spicy) honey on their pizza. Is that a popular UK thing? I am intruiged though, and might have to try that.
What's anyone's go to sauce? This is mine.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61NqS5Zjt3L.jpg)
Sauce in general for pasta? I usually stick to a basic Hunt's, honestly.
But it also depends on the type of meal I'm having, if there's meat in the pasta, seafood, etc. I'll change it up. A lady I used to work with was an older Italian lady who made her own sauce/gravy, and it was delicious. She had a process. But she's retired and moved and stopped doing it.
Pizza sauce, it really depends on the place. There's two big rivals on the boardwalk in Wildwood New Jersey. Mack's vs Sam's. Sam's is consistent, great dough and cheese, a whiter based cheese, but the sauce is a bit 'sweet', but meshes with the rest fine enough. Mack's uses a brighter yellow cheese, and they undercook the dough, but the sauce is a saltier flavor that works and it's greasy.
Quote from: claws on April 01, 2026, 04:03:35 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on April 01, 2026, 05:05:53 AMfav varieties?
I'm a classic pepperoni, mushroom + green peppers guy, but also dig a hawaiian ham+ pineapple as well. (pretty much the only 'sweet and savoury' combo of any food that I can tolerate tbh... I cannot stand sultanas in curries. actually makes me retch. caramelised onion is another instant no-no)
love chicken but not generally into chicken on pizza. not sure why, just seems wrong. not a fan of anchovies either really, too salty
From watching UK peope & pizza videos on youtube, many like to drizzle hot (spicy) honey on their pizza. Is that a popular UK thing? I am intruiged though, and might have to try that.
I dunno if that's popular but I did have a readymade frozen one a couple of years ago which had spicey honey... but that's the only time I've ever heard of it as a thing though
Quote from: claws on April 01, 2026, 04:03:35 PMQuote from: zombie no.one on April 01, 2026, 05:05:53 AMfav varieties?
I'm a classic pepperoni, mushroom + green peppers guy, but also dig a hawaiian ham+ pineapple as well. (pretty much the only 'sweet and savoury' combo of any food that I can tolerate tbh... I cannot stand sultanas in curries. actually makes me retch. caramelised onion is another instant no-no)
love chicken but not generally into chicken on pizza. not sure why, just seems wrong. not a fan of anchovies either really, too salty
From watching UK peope & pizza videos on youtube, many like to drizzle hot (spicy) honey on their pizza. Is that a popular UK thing? I am intruiged though, and might have to try that.
So, I dunno if this is 'popular' as I don't live in the UK, but a few people I follow on social media (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook) who live there...apparently corn is a popular pizza topping. And that bothers me.
^^ I'm assuming you mean 'corn' as in what we call 'sweetcorn', i.e. the little yellow nuggets? yes that's often on pizzas here. I'm a fan
just remembered my first ever job was in a chinese takeaway which for some reason also did pizzas. the dough bases were ready made but we had to do everything else. some of the ones I ended up coming out with were terrible! burnt a few as well... never had any returned though, I think most customers ordering a pizza from a chinese takeaway were probably drunk :teddyr:
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 02, 2026, 02:10:46 AM^^ I'm assuming you mean 'corn' as in what we call 'sweetcorn', i.e. the little yellow nuggets? yes that's often on pizzas here. I'm a fan
just remembered my first ever job was in a chinese takeaway which for some reason also did pizzas. the dough bases were ready made but we had to do everything else. some of the ones I ended up coming out with were terrible! burnt a few as well... never had any returned though, I think most customers ordering a pizza from a chinese takeaway were probably drunk :teddyr:
Sweetcorn. Yes. Is there a difference? Is it sweeter?
Either way, I don't want corn on my pizza. And yeah, I'd assume if you're ordering pizza from a Chinese take-away you're probably drunk.
There's nothing inherently wrong I guess about it, it's really just subjective tastes. If I'm getting pizza, I want it savory, salty, meaty. No corn. No pineapple. Just salty, with some meats, maybe a veg here or there (onion, pepper, etc) but no fruits or sweet corn.
our sweetcorn is kind of 'sweet' in the same way you could possibly call a cherry tomato 'sweet'? i.e. not really. just a little bit.
I actually had two slices of pizza with corn last week. We ordered takeout at work, and a colleague had a spicy sausage and corn pizza—I wasn't a huge fan. Personally, I never order corn on pizza. It's not that I dislike corn; I just don't think it belongs on a pizza. That said, if someone offers me a slice, I'm probably not going to say no. Except for seafood pizza, because I'm allergic to shrimp.
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 02, 2026, 03:05:05 AMour sweetcorn is kind of 'sweet' in the same way you could possibly call a cherry tomato 'sweet'? i.e. not really. just a little bit.
So, I live in Philly. Kind of a big city. Lancaster, around an hour away, a lot of Mennonites and Amish. They love corn on pizza out there. But, they're 200 years behind the rest of us.
A few people from there come to the restaurant I work at. And it throws me off. Cause, they'll order cheesesteaks or whatever but no cars, a buggy, or they'll order a soup and salad. Always nice though. They're curious about our customs.
I like corn on pizza and I don't drive. maybe I need to join them
update: spoke to my Italiano hombre (who runs an Italian deli) and what I said earlier about them only having rectangular pizzas is nonsense apparently. they have round ones mainly.
update #2, also just bought a frozen pizza, and it has hot honey on it! maybe that is a bit of a trend over here, and I never realised
What we in the US call corn, most people in the world call maize... apparently the Brits are using "sweetcorn."
Hot honey is a fantastic pizza topping! Forgot about it.
Here's one of my favorites from a local place: "Prosciutto and mozzarella, finished with gorgonzola and Parmesan cheese, fig jam, and balsamic reduction"
yay to the meat + cheese aspect of that.... but (and I say this as someone with a sweet tooth), figs are just too sickly sweet for me. I can't deal with them in any capacity... ditto dates and prunes.
also find balsamic vinegar just too acidic and harsh tasting
maybe I'm starting to sound like a very fussy eater here, which I'm really not :smile:
p.s. just remembered it's tuna and sweetcorn which is a very popular pizza topping combo here. love it
I mean no offense, but tuna and sweet corn on pizza sounds disgusting. But it's all personal preference I'd guess.
Actually, Tuna is one of my favorite pizza toppings. Tuna pizza is very popular here. You can find it on every menu from every pizza joint.
Tuna doesn't sound good on pizza to me either, but I'd have to see what kind of sauce it's paired with to know for sure. I'd try a slice.
Quote from: claws on April 03, 2026, 01:44:11 PMActually, Tuna is one of my favorite pizza toppings. Tuna pizza is very popular here. You can find it on every menu from every pizza joint.
I have so many questions. Like how did this start? Who did it? Was it after a soccer or rugby match and people were drunk? People away at Uni?
visual reference:
(https://resepkoki.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Corn-Tuna-Pizza-2.jpg)
doesn't look too outlandish does it? :bouncegiggle:
tuna is the only seafood I wanna see on a pizza though
In France, they put an egg in the middle of the pizza sometimes.
Here in Boston, there is a rivalry between Regina Pizzeria ( North End/ faux Italian neighborhood) and Santarpio's (East Boston, once Italian now Spanish neighborhood)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjXvEpVRTDA
I have never been to either. My sense is that Santarpio's is more fun and colorfull and Regina has slightly better pizza. I don't know what they do to it that makes it so allegedly great.
Quote from: lester1/2jr on April 04, 2026, 01:18:57 AMIn France, they put an egg in the middle of the pizza sometimes.
now this (to me) is beyond wrong...
other weird french food tradition: bread in a bowl with milk. like you would eat cereal, but it's just chunks of bread instead. wat
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 04, 2026, 12:45:19 AMvisual reference:
(https://resepkoki.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Corn-Tuna-Pizza-2.jpg)
doesn't look too outlandish does it? :bouncegiggle:
tuna is the only seafood I wanna see on a pizza though
I wouldn't eat that
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AF8N8Bk9RsY/TBT3Z1GRKzI/AAAAAAAACBo/jBTzsuJifww/s1600/chip+pizza.jpg)
and I wouldn't eat that.
(despite liking chips / fries)
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 04, 2026, 01:12:09 PM(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AF8N8Bk9RsY/TBT3Z1GRKzI/AAAAAAAACBo/jBTzsuJifww/s1600/chip+pizza.jpg)
and I wouldn't eat that.
(despite liking chips / fries)
The thicker chips you get in the UK are awesome on top of chip shop pizza, especially when they are a little bit squished into it. One of the foods over here that Kristi has came to love. I don't think I'd try it with those anaemic fries either though.
Quote from: Rev. Powell on April 03, 2026, 01:46:27 PMTuna doesn't sound good on pizza to me either, but I'd have to see what kind of sauce it's paired with to know for sure. I'd try a slice.
The way they do Tuna Pizza here is tomato sauce, tuna, mozzarella, red onions. Sometimes with (black) olives, sometimes with capers.
(https://i.imgur.com/PKyYtzhh.png)
Edit to add: there are variants of tuna pizza with corn. But usually, it comes without corn from the places we order pizza.
When I buy a frozen tuna pizza, I always give it a dusting with onion and garlic powder (not salt), and a drizzle of olive oil.
French egg one
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3f/34/1e/3f341e2c74e41b2282d31a5491b0d662.jpg)
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 04, 2026, 01:12:09 PM(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AF8N8Bk9RsY/TBT3Z1GRKzI/AAAAAAAACBo/jBTzsuJifww/s1600/chip+pizza.jpg)
and I wouldn't eat that.
(despite liking chips / fries)
That's gross too. There's a lot of places at the Jersey Shore that do this. I'd have to be wildly drunk to try.
Quote from: lester1/2jr on April 04, 2026, 01:18:57 AMIn France, they put an egg in the middle of the pizza sometimes.
Here in Boston, there is a rivalry between Regina Pizzeria ( North End/ faux Italian neighborhood) and Santarpio's (East Boston, once Italian now Spanish neighborhood)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjXvEpVRTDA
I have never been to either. My sense is that Santarpio's is more fun and colorfull and Regina has slightly better pizza. I don't know what they do to it that makes it so allegedly great.
Like, how's the egg cooked? Sunny side up?
There's places here that do breakfast pizza. No tomato sauce unless requested, but the dough, cheese...scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pork roll, etc.
Quote from: lester1/2jr on April 04, 2026, 03:50:24 PMFrench egg one
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3f/34/1e/3f341e2c74e41b2282d31a5491b0d662.jpg)
just the one egg sitting there kind of looks a bit strange, you'd think they would have a few more...
but I guess to a french person one egg is
un œuf
My sister used to have a pizza oven on her porch and my Dad made one of the French ones. It's sort of cool that you can do that, but I prefer my eggs scrambled.
making a pizza tonight in fact, went for the Hoboken sauce. It's similar to Victoria but a little zestier. I do not mess with mass produced stuff with sugar or tomato paste, just a personal preference.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71DO4+O-7vL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg)
There was a bit of an "egg-on-pizza" craze a few years ago. I gave it a shot, but to me, it only really works on a breakfast pizza. It's also surprisingly tricky to get right; you can't just toss the egg on at the start unless you want it hard-baked. I found that adding it halfway through is better, though even then, I'd occasionally end up with an undercooked mess. It's all about that perfect timing.
Adding slices of bacon is also tricky to get right. I eventually added the already cooked bacon during the final five minutes or so.
Quote from: HappyGilmore on April 04, 2026, 12:07:59 AMI have so many questions. Like how did this start? Who did it? Was it after a soccer or rugby match and people were drunk? People away at Uni?
I guess you could say the same thing about pineapple on pizza. Or banana, like they do in Sweden :buggedout:
Quote from: claws on April 04, 2026, 11:22:04 PMQuote from: HappyGilmore on April 04, 2026, 12:07:59 AMI have so many questions. Like how did this start? Who did it? Was it after a soccer or rugby match and people were drunk? People away at Uni?
I guess you could say the same thing about pineapple on pizza. Or banana, like they do in Sweden :buggedout:
I've tried the "Hawaiian' style, with pineapple and ham or whatever meat. It was okay. I wouldn't necessarily order it by myself. Just feels weird. But, if I'm drunk, sure.
One of the weirdest pizza I ever had was a strange vegetarian concoction. I believe it was gluten-free. Toppings included tomato sauce, garlic, onions, broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, tomato slices, sweet corn, olives and green string beans! While tasty, I barely finished one slice. This was veggie nightmare, not something I would call a pizza.
Quote from: zombie no.one on April 02, 2026, 06:38:18 AMupdate #2, also just bought a frozen pizza, and it has hot honey on it!
I cooked this last night. it was a 'meat feast' variety and was just way too overloaded with 'stuff'... so stodgy and gloopy. only finished one slice! should've gone for basic peperoni instead :hatred:
French fries/chips regardless of thickness on pizza are a big no from me. I can see eating pizza potatoes prepared in a different way if paired with a white sauce.
Look...we've got to coordinate a collective trip to the Jersey Shore where they have REAL pizza that's good. Not this Tuna/pineapple random ingredients thing we're doing.
Makes sense now:
QuoteTuna on pizza is not popular in America and is generally considered an uncommon or niche topping. While popular in Europe—often called pizza tonno—most Americans do not consume it on pizza, preferring meat-based toppings, and it is rarely found on standard US pizza chain menus.
(https://i.postimg.cc/jWsGDpyg/1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jWsGDpyg)