Chicagoist: A Foodie's Dirty Little Secret, Part Two

bpj

Wed, 23 May 2007 15:23:53 -0600

another vote for Jack's. you can load those things up with fresh veggies and eat the whole thing without much trouble. home run inn is also fantastic, but they usually leave me feeling quite tired (and also you cannot eat the whole thing).

bassness

Thu, 17 May 2007 23:38:08 -0600

The California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizzas are excellent. I'm a big fan of the Sicilian and the White, with 4 cheeses, spinach and garlic. They have a really thin crust that crisps up well.

jocelyn

Thu, 17 May 2007 16:53:37 -0600

WOW! i can't believe not so much love for jack's. i'm glad someone referenced a change in the jack's, though. i've noticed it. they used to be SO much better. but still. jack's supercheese?! shiiit. that stuff is the bomb. can't believe there's not more props for jack's. although, in WI, there used to be friggin' SUPER awesome jack's that were like super secret double probation fundraising pizzas much like the ridiculously awesome nestle beich candy bars that seemingly were made of chocolate stirred by fairies or something. anyone?

MC

Thu, 17 May 2007 16:34:05 -0600

I've always enjoyed Jack's Mexican Pizza and my new found favorite is DiGiorno Spicy Chicken Supreme. That shit is sooooooooooo good. I also like to dress up whatever frozen 'za I'm cooking up. Sometimes it needs a little more cheese, some oregano, crushed red pepper, garlic salt, or even a little tabasco.

Amanda

Thu, 17 May 2007 12:55:17 -0600

Another for Home Run Inn...that crust is so tasty. I'm interested to try the Trader Joe's pizzas, they sound great.

JW

Thu, 17 May 2007 11:02:26 -0600

While I'm at it, I should say that I owe Chuck an apology as well. I was too snarky for my own good. I actually enjoy a lot of Chuck's posts. I hope the Chicagoist is in a forviging mood. -JW

JW

Thu, 17 May 2007 10:58:16 -0600

Dear Caroline: I want to apologize to you for being so mean-spirited in my comments in your last "dirty little secret" column about frozen enchiladas. Whatever point I was trying to make, I could have and should have made it in a more humane manner. Also, I think your columns are just fine. I was out of line and rude. My apology is sincere and I hope you accept it. -JW

marquee

Thu, 17 May 2007 08:47:07 -0600

Although Jack's was better before Kraft bought them out, I cant resist when they go 5 for $10 at the supermarket. Also surprised by their low rating.

Bill

Thu, 17 May 2007 08:14:59 -0600

Everyone except me is incredibly stupid. Reggio's pizza is great! The butter crust, the tasty meats, the lightness of the sauce! Either you undercooked it, or your subjects were too drunk. I say it's great, either frozen, or from the pizza stand on the south side.

mel Hill

Thu, 17 May 2007 07:48:05 -0600

One more vote for Home Run Pizza. Used to love the Bravissimo! pizzas but they have changed their business plan and now do not sell in grocery stores.

darrenh

Thu, 17 May 2007 05:46:50 -0600

Home Run Inn frozen pizza is in a class by itself. No other frozen pizza comes this close to being like the real thing. No other!

Woz

Thu, 17 May 2007 00:20:49 -0600

Man all you jokers are way off, the best thin crust frozen pizzas are the Jewel and Chef's Kitchen...

Brad

Wed, 16 May 2007 21:02:25 -0600

I know it's not on anyone's top-nine list but Totino's is the ultimate poor drunk person frozen pizza. Any pizza that you can pick up for 10 for $10 can't be bad. Plus it is small enough that you can eat the whole thing.

K.

Wed, 16 May 2007 20:55:21 -0600

I'm completely on the Home Run Inn bandwagon. Man, that's good. I think it's even better than some delivery. You have to be careful, though, because the cheese coverage is so dense, you can scald your mouth pretty badly on it. also, something about the crust (which is SO tasty) sometimes wastes the roof of mouth. however, even with all those caveats, nothing else comes close. and I hate Freschetta, it has the weirdest aftertaste, or undertaste, or something.

Griffin

Wed, 16 May 2007 20:16:36 -0600

I think Home Run Inn should score extra points for being both local and all natural. Plus it adapts well to some slices of fake pepperoni or chopped onion and pepper.

erin

Wed, 16 May 2007 18:48:10 -0600

No Connies? Can't believe that Dominicks didn't have Connies! That's the best frozen pizza out there, no contest.

Mike

Wed, 16 May 2007 18:38:05 -0600

Definitely Home Run Inn...no doubt. The frozen pizza you can buy at Lou Malnati's is also excellent but a little more than your average frozen pizza

thundercougarfalconbird

Wed, 16 May 2007 17:46:43 -0600

I could care less about the actual pizza, when I'm broke as hell, I grab whatever's cheapest and dress it up a touch. I like to roast some garlic cloves, maybe use some leftover bacon... I'm not picky. Plus Ranch dressing can cover anything. And +1 to Stephen for suggesting Louisiana Hot Sauce. Have to try that next time...

boto

Wed, 16 May 2007 17:34:42 -0600

I haven't had one for a long time, but I used to swear by a particular supreme pizza from Jack's that had extra cheese. It was cheap, the crust was light and crackery, the cheese had at least a little flavor, and the toppings were plentiful. Even better, it was cheaper than the vastly inferior Tombstone and Red Baron offerings. Speaking of which, maybe they've improved over the last several years, but those two brands along with Tony's always seemed bottom of the barrel to me. That said, Reggio's is truly abominable. I made the mistake of trying to eat one once and found it was salty enough to kill a yard full of snails. Freschetta could be a contender (decent cheese, flavorful sauce, plentiful quality ingredients) if only they could come up with a more manageable crust. After a few botched attempts at a satisfactory result (Too doughy, then too burnt, then too doughy AND burnt!) I gave up. These days, if it's on sale, I buy DiGiorno thin crust and add some extra cheese (fontina or provolone) and some extra veggies (halved grape tomatoes, sliced peppers and onions) and maybe some fresh basil. It's a quick, cheap dinner when I'm too tired/lazy to cook and have blown my self imposed weekly budget for eating out.

steven

Wed, 16 May 2007 17:18:12 -0600

I'm not a foodie at all, but a certified expert in frozen pizza. Dollar for dollar, Jack's is where it's at. Surprised it rated so low.

tankboy

Wed, 16 May 2007 17:12:28 -0600

Home Run Inn all the way ... it also tastes twice as good as a leftover out of the fridge the next day (preferably at 3am).

Mikey

Wed, 16 May 2007 16:59:44 -0600

DiGiorno all the way! It's my favorite too...

Sam

Wed, 16 May 2007 16:59:02 -0600

I love Trader Joe's organic spinach pizza. It is so awesome, and I have to buy two or three when I find it there, as many times it is sold out. I used to like DiGiorno's as well, but since the grocery stores in Logan Square are disappearing (first Cub, then Dominick's), I have to go elsewhere.

Daria

Wed, 16 May 2007 16:56:50 -0600

Monica, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who maintains a love for the pizza of my youth (and by youth, I mean childhood, college, 20s)--Tostino's. And you can't beat the price.

Monica

Wed, 16 May 2007 16:36:26 -0600

Sorry to see that Totino's brand pizza wasn't a part of the test. Cheap, yes but it's #1 in my book for frozen pizza!

matty

Wed, 16 May 2007 16:29:10 -0600

I love Tombstone extra veggies with meat or whatever. that said the only time i buy the thing is when I'm drunk and I leave it in the bag on the floor next to the garbage. i still eat it. i love the lack of pretension in all the chicagoist foodies. you guys rule.

navin

Wed, 16 May 2007 16:05:23 -0600

From the regular store it's gonna be Jacks or Home Run Inn but the best ever is the Trader Joe's (stone oven made in italy) pizza. The best frozen pizza I've ever had.

Stephen

Wed, 16 May 2007 15:56:36 -0600

Next time you do one of these tests, I would willfully submit myself to be one of your guinea pigs. I'm a frozen pizza enthusiast, for sure. Tombstone w/ extra cheese is "old faithful" to me, and a few dashes of Louisiana Hot Sauce before placing the pizza in the oven guarantees just the right kick. On a price vs. quality scale, I will always put Tombstone ahead of DiGiorno's because I often find Tombstone to be at least $1, of not $2 cheaper at any grocery. There's also an Amy's pizza which has broccoli and pesto on it, which rocketh my sockseth.

Chicago 2016

Wed, 16 May 2007 15:26:08 -0600

I still miss that DiGiorno's promotional storefront they rented on Michigan Avenue across from the Mac store a couple of months ago. Did anyone get a chance to try some free pizza over there?