Better pizza: Pizza Hut or Papa John's?

[BevReview Steve]

High court denies Pizza Hut's appeal of suit over Papa John's ad claims
March 19, 2001: 2:40 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - Papa John's says its pizza is better than Pizza Hut's because it uses superior ingredients. On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to hear Pizza Hut's argument that the claim should be considered false advertising.

The court, without comment, turned down an appeal by Pizza Hut, which won -- and then lost -- a false-advertising lawsuit against Papa John's. Pizza Hut said it should not have to prove that its rival's ads actually affected people's choices on what pizza to buy.

Papa John's officials expressed relief that the case had concluded. "We obviously feel vindicated in this," said Karen Sherman, spokeswoman for the Louisville-based Papa John's. "This battle is over now."

Click here for the full story

So which pizza do you think is better? Pizza Hut or Papa John's?

[ March 21, 2001: Message edited by: ChiliBoy ]

When in Chicagoland, I choose Armand's. I've been all over the States and never had a better pizza. Gil manages the pizza kitchen and runs it like a well-oiled machine.
I've been stuck in Phoenix for the last five years and it's taken four and one half years to enjoy any other pizza than my own. Thank goodness for Raimondo's on 7th St. They've restored my love for the pie.
If I had to choose between Pizza Hut and Papa John's I'd go with a frozen Tombstone or Red Barron.

[ March 24, 2001: Message edited by: Angelina ]

Chiliboy-I have tried both company's pizzas and to tell you the truth, I don't really like the way some of Pizza Hut's pizzas taste. They are so stale, especially if the crust is flat and there is a very thin layer of toppings on the pizza. I recently ordered my first Papa John's pizza a while back and noticed the huge difference-Papa John's is a lot tastier and healthier than Pizza Hut is. I am not trying to criticize anything here but I am merely admitting that when I tried my first Papa John's pizza (because they put a lot more healthier stuff on their pizza than Pizza Hut does) I really enjoyed it that when the pizza was done, I was tempted to order more right away! hehe Hope this answers your questions! But then, everyone has different tastes, different likes, and different opinions, so I'm sure you'll see many different responses to your topic. I'm sure there will be some people who like Pizza Hut better than Papa John's and vice versa. But I, for one, believe that Papa John's is better than Pizza Hut and if I had to vote for this, my vote would go with Papa John's.

By the way, I clicked on your heading "Click Here For The Full Story" on your post and I can't find the story you are referring to. Could you tell me where to look? I would like to read that article. Thanks!

[W.DeBord]

24 years ago I worked at pizza hut..I was a certified pizza maker (that meant you were skilled enough to make the dough not just top the pizzas). I was in school and it was a great job, with co-workers who really took pride in our product. We used to make the doughs completely from scratch (although a couple items were pre measured). We'd set timers and throw out dough twice a day and re-make it.

Then they had real italian sausage (although the pork topping was aready the cr** it is today). By the time I had left that job they stopped using real sausage...too many law suits. The also stopped using pizza ovens and switched to a conveyor belt ovens where every pizza cooked for exactly 7 minutes. That then changed what kind of toppings they could put on it, everything had to be done in the 7 min..

Each time Pizza Hut got bought and sold the new owners made "improvments" that took the product one more step away from a good product.Unforunately I think ALOT of it's choices were driven from their legal departments.

While on vacation last month we ate at a pizza hut and I have to say it was worse than any pizza I've ever had! The thin crust appeared to be a premade crust like you can buy at the grocery store. You couldn't tell what the meats were.

For me it's sad to see what has become of Pizza Hut. It was a great place to work when I was a kid!

As to your orginal question which is better....the independents are always the best until law suits ruin them too.

[Marzoli]

Around here, Pappa John's is best. We do have an independent that makes some really good stuff from time to time. Quality control is sometimes lacking.

[Pete]

Usually, if we are getting pizza I will opt for an independent for local chain. Here in chicago we have a number of great choices. If I am stuck ordering from a large chain though I will always choose Papa John's or even Domino's over Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut is the worst pizza out there. The crusts usually taste stale or are so soaked with grease and their sausage is terrible. Seems that all major chains have really bad sausage. I wonder why.

[BevReview Steve]

I like Papa John's better myself.... I agree with W.DeBord, the pizza at the Hut USED to be better... but now it's not.

Afra, that link was posted a while back.. I think they moved the story... sorry.

At least the Papa John's I know of still fling the dough. When I worked at Pizza Hut, about 3 years ago, the only pizza not touched by hands AT ALL was the hand tossed. And some of the "fresh" ingredients were straight from cans.

But I like my boyfriend's pizza!
yummy!

[Mezzaluna]

I lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin for 18 years, and that is a pizza-lover's town to be sure. You could have a different pizza every day of the year: wine in the sauce or not; fennel in the sausage or not; thick crust, chewy crust, thin crust.... you get the picture. Ah, for a few slices of Ruffolo's pizza now! Mmmmm....

[ April 23, 2001: Message edited by: Mezzaluna ]

[Kimmie]

Someone I know swears up and down about SHAKIES.

Who knows anything about that one?

And in answer to your question, NEITHER!!!



[ April 27, 2001: Message edited by: Kimmie ]

[SeattleDeb]

Shakies or Shakey's? Shakey's used to have quite a few outlets in CA. Mezz..your descriptions of all the pizza choices make me want to take a side trip to Kenosha..

[ May 01, 2001: Message edited by: SeattleDeb ]

[Pastachef]

Ooo, we used to have a Shakey's in our neighborhood and I think their pizza is definitely the best. I don't think we have one in the state now though

[Kimmie]

I'm pretty sure it's SHAKEY'S!

Although I'm sure I see Shakey's through the haze of my college days--it was a college hang-out and a place to drink beer--it also had some of the best pizza I have ever had and it had a wonderful ambiance about it. I sure miss Shakey's! The crust was really thin and crisp.

PHIL

[ May 01, 2001: Message edited by: Kimmie ]

[Svadhisthana]

*jumping up and down*
Papa John's Papa John's Papa John's


however, that is compared to Pizza Hut.......

The best pizza I've ever had is at a local Italian place. They have a proper oven and use actual "real" toppings.


Svadhisthana