Love-Hate for Papa Johns

[Old Guy]

I have a love-hate relationship with Papa Johns. I am one of those who agrees that their pizza tastes the best, but their delivery has got to be the worst. Every time I order it takes them an entire hour to arrive. And, if I'm lucky they didn't forget something.

So, have any of you experienced something similar? Or is it just that my nearby Papa Johns sucks?

:sad:

[Shawn Hopkins]

I pretty much hate all fast food pizza. And I live in Eastern Kentucky so it's really hard to find a decent "real" pizza restaurant. There used to be a place near where I lived that was great, but the original owners sold out and now it's pretty much terrible.

My biggest gripe is that most places have almost stopped putting pizza sauce on their pizzas, except for a tiny dollop. Pizza is more than just melted cheese on bread. I'm not saying they should put an outrageous amount, but you should at least be able to taste it.

Out of the big chain pizza places I did always like Papa Johns the best, but I got one from there recently and it was terrible, less pizza sauce than the disappointing place near where I live and kind of cold, too. The pizza kitchen crew was all grubby teenagers and it was filthy in there.

I think in the rush to make pizza as cheap as possible to get people in for $5 pizza deals, companies have forgotten that pizza should actually taste good. Now economy definitely seems to outweigh enjoyment.

[Michael24]

I've never had Papa John's pizza. We pretty much only eat Mt. Mike's now (occasionally Round Table when we're in town) even though we have to drive about 20 minutes away to get it. I've never seen a pizza place that hardly puts any sauce on their pizzas, though. We have to order our's with "light sauce," otherwise they put on too much.

[Zach]

I adore Papa John's. Their supreme pizzas are bloody fantastic and I never have a problem with delivery times.

[Speedy Boris]

I've only had it a couple times but I thought it was OK. I plan to get some pizza from there this weekend, just to vary things a bit.

[Ishtar]

I wouldn't know. Living in NY, and only like an hour from the city, we have pretty good regular pizzerias, so I never get Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Dominos, etc.

[Wounded_Dragon]

Bah. I don't mind their pizza, but their delivery range where I live is atrocious. I wouldn't mind an hour wait if they'd drive just 10 minutes outside the "official" city limit to deliver a pizza.

[Silverstar]

Papa John's pizza is all right, but I've never had any problem with their delivery since I've never asked them to deliver to me; I usually pick it up myself.


On a side-note, I miss Little Caesar's. All of the Little Caesar's in my area have closed down years ago, and I still haven't fully recovered from it. The Meatsa-Meatsa was my favorite, plus Little Caesar's 2 for the price of 1 policy always meant dinner that night and lunch the next day for my house.

[Movie06]

I like Papa John's pizza. Actually, I like all three of the "big name" pizza restraunts and I never have a problem with their delivery. Like Silverstar, I usually pick it up myself.

[Blackstar]

I wouldn't say that Papa John's service generally sucks, but there is 1 location of Papa John's (ironically located close to where I live currently) that has dropped the ball on 2 separate occasions. I ordered form there twice and they lost my order each time, so I never go to that one anymore.

[Burgundy Ranger]

I only get Papa John's in the fall ... as part of a local promotion with the Redskins.

On Mondays, you buy a large for $9.99 and you get a free topping for each touchdown the Redskins scored that week. Double the toppings if they won.

So, last week, $10 for a six-topping pizza (I could have had eight but that's too many), was quite the value. And the garlic dipping sauce is delish, as well. Good thing to have when you get to the edge and all you have is crust.

[DarthGonzo]

Meh, I'm not a fan of Papa Johns. If I'm going to eat "crappy pizza" (i.e. anything that's not real Italian NY style) I'd prefer Pizza Hut, followed by Dominos.

[Lavenderpaw]

Try a Wal-mart pizza.Papa John's has this manager who didn't hire me then or at the old Subway. :shrug:

[Mavericker]

They do make good pizza.

[Old Guy]

I wouldn't know. Living in NY, and only like an hour from the city, we have pretty good regular pizzerias, so I never get Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Dominos, etc.

Ah yes. Everyone who lives in New York or Chicago says the same exact thing. ENVY! :mad:

On a side-note, I miss Little Caesar's.

Dude, Little Caesars is a poor man's pizza. Literally. Their $5 dollars pizzas are so disgusting. However, if you have little money and are craving pizza it's just fine. lol.

If I'm going to eat "crappy pizza" (i.e. anything that's not real Italian NY style) I'd prefer Pizza Hut

I love Pizza Hut. Mostly because of their large amount of specialty pizzas.

[Deadman]

i like papa johns. ive never had a bad experience with them.

[EinBebop]

I grew up in a town that had two Straw Hat Pizzas, and so to me nothing will ever compare. Straw Hat Pizza used to be all over the west coast, but when pizza hut decided to expand that way, they bought out and converted the chain, but apparently were not able to force the franchisees to convert, so a few have stuck around, including one of the two in my hometown.

I thought that the chain would continue to die slowly as franchisers packed it in, but apparently the chain is expanding again, not exactly sure how they're pulling that off. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it makes its way here to Colorado.

[Charlie]

Papa John's sauce is all sugary and gross. The first time I ate there, food poisoning. A year or so later I try it again at a different branch, oh hey; food poisoning. Fool ain't getting fooled again.

I make my own. Dough, sauce, and all. If I'm exceptionally lazy one night then I only stick with Garlic Jim's. They're just so good.

[Draft]

They had the best pizza until I had the new #5 Pizza Mia pizza from Pizza Hut

[Light Lucario]

I had my first Papa John's pizza a couple of weeks ago. We didn't have a problem with delivery since my dad went down to pick them up. The pizza itself was okay, but the real problem was with the cheese. It felt like there wasn't much on there and every time we took a bite, more of the cheese would slip off. So we were basically eating more of the bread and sauce than the cheese. Since my dad was even more disappointed than me and my brother, we probably won't be ordering from them again. Personally, I like the personal sized pizzas from Pizza Hut and Round Table much better. Not only are they smaller, but the cheese actually stays on the bread while you eat it.

[Romanesque]

I'd sooner choose a local place over chain pizza, but among the chain pizzas I've had, the couple times at Papa Johns were the worst. :sweat:

--Romey

[Mugen]

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't mind chain pizzas. I like Pizza Hut, Dominos, and Papa Johns. Usually, I eat Papa Johns during the college semester with my friends, but when I come home, I usually eat Pizza Hut. I guess I'm not as picky about pizza as others. As long as it tastes good to me, I'm happy.

I also like Ledo's Pizza as well.

[mgr91686]

Papa John's around here has the worst pizza in town, every time my family has their pizza they get sick. It's like they are using expired ingredients or something.

Dude, Little Caesars is a poor man's pizza. Literally. Their $5 dollars pizzas are so disgusting. However, if you have little money and are craving pizza it's just fine. lol.


I just have to jump in and defend my favorite Pizza place, literally their pizza is the best in town, bar none.
Pizza Hut here is outrageously priced and not even an option.

[Rook]

Meh, PJ is dependent on where its bought. Bought mine in Delaware, it was beyond greasy, it was the grease. Apparently, your required to drain your slice before eating. Bought it in the Bronx, meh, not so bad fairly similar to the average local pizza.

Pizza Hut makes me vomit.

Right now, Dominos beats out everyone at this point.

Local pizza that ive been eating for 22 years is second best.

[Old Guy]

They had the best pizza until I had the new #5 Pizza Mia pizza from Pizza Hut

Yea, the Pizza Mia is awesome. That's what I usually order these days.

[Daxdiv]

This is what I think about them

Love- I like how it taste, I like the overflow of cheese, The family seem to prefer it over Pizza Hut, and it a good combo of crunchy and dough,

Hate- The closet one is in the crappy part of town, don't know where it is, we rarely eat it because of that fact, and only have it during vacation.

I sort of like Sbarro for some odd reason.

[tucsoncoyote]

Well I'm not a big fan of Papa Johns.. In fact I tried a Papa John's pizza and didn't like it.. didn't have the right flavor for a pizza it seems even if it were all meat, and if you add in green peppers? It's not much better..

But I'll stick to what I definitely like.. which is this brand (http://www.blackjackpizza.com/index-May.php). After all I'm all for their Megapacks which are 2 extra large 1 topping pizzas with cheese bread and a 2 liter bottle of soda.. all for 25 bucks..

But Papa Johns? Eh, I'll pass..But for that other brand.. Hit me.. 21! I win!

:coyote:

[Mavericker]

I like 'em-too bad they don't make something similar to a P'Zone.

[RSNaco]

I actually have decent regional pizza places where I live, including one that runs a $5 pizza special but only for a cheese on certain days. They're definitely superior to the chains, as I kind of swore off most of them after a real bad Pizza Hut experience with so-called 'discounts'. I'd only go to Little Caesar's (Thank goodness there still is one) outside of my local places when I want a cheap pepperoni pizza and I'm not feeling too health-conscious.

I'd only go to Pizza Hut of my own free will for a P'Zone now. They're at least kind of worthwhile.

[Burgundy Ranger]

I also like Ledo's Pizza as well.
Ledo puts all those chains to shame. The pastry-like crust and sauce are so tremendous that you're making a mistake if you go much past three toppings.

[purplehairedwonder]

I like Papa John's a lot, though I haven't had it in ages. I never get pizza delivered, so I can't comment on that aspect. I like Pizza Hut a lot as well and I tend to get that before Papa John's. Domino's, I just can't stand. It just doesn't taste good to me.

But my favorite pizza chain by far is Papa Murphy's. The one thing about it is that you have to bake their pizza yourself. Unfortunately, they don't have it in the part of the country where I'm living now =/

[Sparticus]

Eh, I've had it once or twice. Wasn't impressed - but then I'm kind of a pizza snob. :p

I generaly get something from Bellagio's (and I LAUGH HYSTARACLY AT ANYONE WHO SAYS PIZZA HUT HAS A VARIAETY OF "SPECIALTY PIZZA'S" HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAA!) or Pizza Schmizza. Bellagio's is kinda on the expensive side but they are sooooooooooooooooo goooooooooooooooooood. Every now and then it's totaly worth it to splurge a little. Schmizza's pretty good too but I usualy just stop in for a slice at lunch - their complete pizzas are horribly overpriced. As for chains; Pizza Factory ftw! Or Papa Murphy's.

Most of my pizza I snag at school (for our "catered events"). They usualy just run over to Hot Lips 'cause we get a giant discount there or something. Not my pizza of choice (free food is free food); their pizza's are alright fresh but horrible next day. :P

[tb4000]

The only thing I really like from the place is that buttery sauce that they include with every pizza, and the jalepeno peppers as well.

[Charlie]

The only thing I really like from the place is that buttery sauce that they include with every pizza, and the jalepeno peppers as well.
I have to admit, those peppers are quite the delicacy.

[Captain Highwind]

I have no problem with Papa Johns. Out of what was available (Pizza Hut, which is horribly greasy and salty, Domino's, which looks like they just scrap something off the highway, and Little Caeser's, which used to be good and is now just like Domino's), it seems to be the one that doesn't make me wake up at night with the heaves.

I think I moved next to a Donato's now anyway, so everything's okay again.

[Bubblegum Girl]

I really don't like Papa Johns though I've been know to eat the free slices that the teachers gave away during special lectures at my art college.

ThoughI do like it that Papa John's give any garlic sauce that I use to dip the pizza crust tops after I'm finish eating the pizza. But I really hate how they leave the pepperoni underneath the cheese and the ones on top aren't crispy like the other pizza places.

[Dr.Pepper]

I only had it at my school and I like it. Since its never been delivered to my house I can't speak for that.

[Daikun]

I only went to Papa John's ONCE a few years ago. They're pretty far away, and my family doesn't like to drive long distances just for a pizza. We tried it, and the final verdict was "mediocre." We're not going there anymore.

Anyway, I rarely eat restaurant pizza anymore; I just make them at home now. It saves time (cooking time: 10-15 minutes; delivery time: 30+ minutes - WIDE gap there) and you can put whatever you want on them instead of being relegated to their menu items. It's also healthier, since there are whole wheat crusts available at the stores we live near.

If I just want a quick slice, though, I go to a small chain called New York Upper Crust. Their BBQ chicken pizzas are addicting.

EDIT: Oh, yeah. There's also Costco. :p

[dmxx116]

Papa Johns just flat out sucks because their pizza taste like cardboard .

[JTurner954]

Out of the three chains, Papa John's is #1. I like how the cheese and sauce compliment each other, plus their pepperoni isn't burned like it is on a Domino's pizza. Their garlic sauce is also excellent. I wish it wasn't that expensive, but hey it tastes better so I accept it.

Pizza Hut is okay though their dough doesn't taste very good and their cheese isn't cheesy enough.

Little Caesars is decent for $5.00 though I like their Meatsa pizza more. It's also the first place where I ate a churro (too bad it wasn't good). Where's Don Patch when you need him?

I also discovered a pizza buffet called CiCi's. If their pizzas were bigger, I'd continue eating there.

I prefer New York style though because it's really fresh. Two of my favorite places to go are Esposito's and Pizza Loft. I also like Sbarro.

[Old Guy]

I also discovered a pizza buffet called CiCi's. If their pizzas were bigger, I'd continue eating there.

Yea, one of those opened in my city recently. I haven't had a chance to go although I've heard that they give you a discount if you have a student ID.

[Aces 21]

It's been a while and Papa John's is ok, but when you work in a local, family owned pizza shop when the ingredients are fresh, you find it hard to go back to corporate pizza chains once you've tried it.

[Mavericker]

Papa John's is first, Pizza Hut is second, Domino's is third.

[Adam Tyner]

I'd sooner choose a local place over chain pizza, but among the chain pizzas I've had, the couple times at Papa Johns were the worst. :sweat:I loved Papa John's in college (they used to have large one toppings for $5 on Tuesdays, so we'd get some of those and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer), but the past few times I've gotten it since, it's tasted really bland.

I try to avoid the chains -- the local mom-and-pop places are usually orders of magnitude better (and sometimes less expensive to boot!). I'd definitely recommend that a lot of the people in this thread try exploring...I guarantee you there are better alternatives in your necks of the woods.

[DarthGonzo]

I know I've said it before but thank God I live on Long Island (and very close to NYC) where - if you want good pizza - you don't have to "settle" for chains like Dominos or Papa Johns. There is nothing (nothing) like fresh, NY style pizza. And I know many people people who had tasted it and have been spoiled by it.

Nothing like popping into a little neighborhood Italian place for a quick slice and maybe a couple of garlic knots, followed by a nice cold Italian ice.

Now don't get my wrong, I love Pizza Hut. But I only have that when I'm burnt out on NY style pizza. And the breadsticks aren't all that bad either.

[Mala Loba]

My family swears by Papa Murphy's- I dunno, there's just something about taking it home and baking it yourself. Papa John's isn't bad, and I like the wings that the local Pizza Hut sells, but other than that... nah...

[Old Guy]

I try to avoid the chains -- the local mom-and-pop places are usually orders of magnitude better (and sometimes less expensive to boot!).

True, but sometimes you're in the mood for the chains. It's like saying, "I go to a mom & pop burger joint" but that doesn't mean you never go to McDonalds.