One day last week, I spotted this clever sign outside City Pizza in Old City...
...and it immediately caused me to say to myself, "Yes, how I DO love pizza!"
However, I am very, very specific about the kinds of pizza I love. I don't like an overloaded pizza with too many toppings. And because I'm vegetarian, I don't like pizza with any meat. I also (sorry if this offends anyone) don't like pineapple on my pizza. I know that many people do, but for me, it makes me want to scream and throw myself off the Empire State Building.
I truly enjoy pineapple. But it belongs in a fruit salad or a Mai Tai, not on my pizza.
Let me put it this way. If I were starving to death in a desert and my only option was to eat pineapple pizza, I'd choose death.
Yes, I openly admit that I'm an Italian-pizza-purist-snob, who feels as Stanley Tucci does...
"It's so repellent, were I to think of it, I might not survive," Tucci described his immense dislike for the topping. "It's just gross."
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My Top 4 Pizzas
Okay, so let's start with my favorite pizza at the top of the list. I love this pizza because of its simplicity - tomato sauce, cheese, and basil on a thin, crispy crust. What more do you need? I could feast on a large one of these all by myself. Including a glass or two of dry red wine...
Neapolitan Margherita Pizza
Next up...
Olive Pizza (I adore olives) I can eat them straight out of the jar.
Next...
Arugula Tomato Cheese Pizza (the arugula gives this pizza a subtle peppery taste)
And last...
Sicilian Pizza (known as focaccia with toppings) - thick pizza with a crunchy, airy base...
My mouth is watering just looking at these photos.
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Quick true story:
Years ago, while talking about food in our employee break room, a coworker (who was notorious for disagreeing just to disagree) dramatically said, "Oh God, I HATE PIZZA! And I also HATE PASTA!"
Guess what I said to her very politely and with a smile on my face?
Really? Well, I hate YOU.
Then, after she left the break room, I gestured her my favorite Italian gesture...
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Have a delicious week, everyone! 🍕💖
*If you care to do so, please share your favorite pizza. And if pineapple pizza is at the top of your list...I forgive you.
Ron hands down, margherita pizza is my top fave as well. Like you said, simple. I also enjoy veggie pizzas (with things like, bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and eggplant). I had a pizza not too long ago with broccoli and really liked it. If I have any meat on my pizza, it's usually only pepperoni.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, pizza with pineapple? NOOOOO! Such an odd combination. I'm not into salty/sweet flavors.
I enjoy pineapple. But it belongs in a salad, or just eaten alone. NOT on a pizza.
Have you ever seen Stanley Tucci's series: "Searching for Italy"? It's on Hulu. Love it!
Fun post and topic. Have a great week, Ron! xo
Hey, Abby!
ReplyDeleteOMG yes, I most definitely have watched Stanley Tucci's series. FABULOUS series! And in one of the episodes, he ordered a margherita pizza at one of the local restaurants and it looked so delicious. And not just the pizza, but the whole little Italian town he was visiting.
Me never. I don't like a salty/sweet combo. I like either or. But separate.
"I had a pizza not too long ago with broccoli and really liked it."
Meeeeee too! In fact, I've made those at home, using a pizza pie crust from Trader Joe's. I've also made pasta with broccoli, using a pesto sauce. Bellissima!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fabulous rest of your week!
X
"Let's put it this way. If I were starving to death in a desert and my only option was to eat pizza with pineapple on it, I'd choose death."
ReplyDeleteLOL! You took the words right out of my mouth, Ron! I'm not a fan of anything sweet and salty. I'm also not a fan of ham. Although I do eat meat.
I like just plain old cheese pizza, margherita pizza, tomato pie pizza, and I once had an artichoke pizza with fresh spinach, cheese, and garlic. Incredible! And it's red wine the BEST with Italian food?
I find it hard to believe someone doesn't like pizza of any kind. Or doesn't like pasta?!? As you said, she was most likely disagreeing just to be disagreeable because that's just crazy.
This post has me hungry for pizza, Ron! You just gave me an idea for tomorrow nights dinner!
Howdy, Daniel!
ReplyDelete"I once saw a pizza listed on a menu (Hawaiian Pizza) with ham and pineapple. Yuck!"
Yes, I've see that pizza listed on menu's as well, and thought, "Ewwwwwwwwwwww!" And even when I used to eat meat, ham was my least favorite. Too salty. And my father worshiped ham. We had ham several times a month for dinner. Roasted ham, ham soup, ham sandwiches, etc. NOT a fan of ham.
"I once had an artichoke pizza, with spinach, cheese, and garlic. Delicious!"
Okay, that sounds right up my alley because I love artichoke hearts. I may have to try that one night this week. In fact, I already have artichoke hearts pre-seasoned and packaged.
I know. In my entire life, I have never heard anyone say they HATED pizza. Or pasta!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Daniel. And for mentioning the artichoke pizza. Cannot wait to try it!
Have a grrrrreat week!
X
Oh Ron, you crack me the hell up! (my husband too) --- "And guess what I said to her very politely, with a smile on my face?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah? Well, I hate YOU!
Then, after she left the break room, I gestured her my favorite Italian gesture..." --- ROFLMAO!
Being Italian, I couldn't agree with you and Stanley more, "It's just gross!" No fruit on my pizza, thank you very much. I'd sooner die as well.
I pretty much enjoy all kinds of pizza. And being from NY, I'm partial to New York style pizza. There is just something about NY pizza I love. And it doesn't have to come from a fancy Italian restaurant. Some of the best pizza I've ever tasted came from a small, privately-own family pizza place with a window out front where they would hand you the pizza through the window. Just like the pizza place that Jon Travolta (Tony Manero) ate at the start of the movie, Saturday Night Fever. Remember that?
Ooooo, that arugula pizza looks so damn good! Got to try that.
Delicious post, Ron! Informative and hilarious! xo
P.S. Isn't Stanley Tucci adorable? I tell my husband that Stanley Tucci is the only man I'd leave him for. LOL!!
Ron, I'm a fan of deep-dish Chicago-Style Pizza. I love thick crust pizza. I also like Greek pizza with tomato sauce, oregano, black olives, red onions and feta cheese. I worship feta cheese. I put it on so many things I eat.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a vegetarian, so I don't do pizza with meats. Just give me a pizza with lots of veggies and I'm happy.
I like arugula, so I think I would really enjoy that arugula pizza.
Sometimes I'm in the mood for thin crusts, other times I like a thick, chewy crust. Just like that Sicilian Pizza you listed.
I LOL at the Family Guy cartoon you concluded with.
Delicious post, Ron!
Good morning, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine eating pineapple on a pizza? Nooooooooo way! I sooner starve. LOL!
"And being from NY, I'm partial to New York style pizza. There is just something about NY pizza that I love. And it doesn't have to come from a fancy Italian restaurant. Some of the best pizza I've ever tasted came from a small, privately-owned family pizza place "
TOTALL agree! Some of the best pizza I ever ate was NYC pizza. And like you said, nothing fancy. Just a small, family-owned pizza place. Reminds me of the nights I'd be walking home from being at NY night clubs until 2 AM, and stopping at one of those pizza window places and grabbing a slice to eat.
Yup, I sure do remember that scene from Saturday Night Fever! And he ate TWO pieces at one time!
Yes, if you like arugula, try that pizza. HEAVENLY!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Elaine! Hope you're having a FAB week and enjoying this cooler weather. I know we've had a lot of rain, but I don't care because it's finally COLD!
X
P.S. Yes, Stanley Tucci IS adorable. And sexy too!
Ron, I like a variety of pizza. And I'm not picky on where I order pizza. I've even had great tasting pizza from Dominos. Hell, I've even had excellent frozen pizza from Trader Joe's.
ReplyDeleteBut pineapple pizza? No!
I found this on FB. I think you'll get a laugh.
Fun post, dude!
Morning, Candice!
ReplyDeleteYes! When I lived in Florida, there was a Chicago style pizza placed called, UNO Pizzeria & Grill. I know it's a chain restaurant, but I really enjoyed their pizza. Deep-dish Chicago pizza is almost like eating a piece of lasagna. Tasty and satisfying!
"I also love Greek pizza, with tomato sauce, oregano, black olives, red onions and feta cheese. God, how I love feta cheese."
OMG, yes! Anything Greek-style I love! And feta cheese? It's my favorite cheese in the world. I purchase the feta you can buy in a chunk, and then I crumble it in soups, salads, and over a baked sweet potato.
"Pizza with pineapple? NO. To an Italian that's sacrilegious."
Lol! Agreed!!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend.
X
Oh my gosh Ron, I love pizza SO much, too!! I’ve had to cut way back though since I’m low carb these days. When the kids still all lived here, we had pizza almost every Saturday night. Once thin crust became popular, there were some pretty good frozen ones out there, but we also ordered from East of Chicago, our local fave.
ReplyDeleteBut honestly, I love every kind of pizza, whether it’s thin crust, thick crust, or deep dish. Did you ever have UNO’s?? I had it in NYC in 1984 on my first trip there and it was amazing! And now I love the cracker crust thin flatbreads that a lot of restaurants serve.
Every picture you showed is one I would enjoy, but probably the Margherita one is my fave. I’ve never seen green olives on pizza. It’s always the black olives that are the mild ones. And it’s only been the last few years that I’ve come to appreciate arugula. I used to hate it, but now I really enjoy it, except for the stems! I also love mushrooms and don’t hate me, but I do LOVE pineapple pizza!!😳😱 it’s delicious!
What I won’t try is anchovies (I feel as though that was much more popular when we were kids) and I’m not a fan of wood fire pizza because I don’t like my food tasting like smoke. Thanks for making me hungry, Ron! XO
Ron, I'm happy to hear that you don't hate me because I like pineapple on my pizza. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI felt like you did about the combination of pineapple and pizza until I tried it. I fell it love! But I will say, it's an acquired taste.
I also like different kinds of pizza as well. My top on the list is margherita pizza. My second would be white/bianca pizza, and my third would be pizza with eggplant.
FUN post! I like how you can dislike something yet with do it with humor. xo
Ron, I had a feeling you had seen the series! Isn't it wonderful? Anytime I've watched it, I end up feeling HUNGRY. And that's even watching it after I eat dinner. LOL! All the food he highlights looks so delicious. Italian food is without a doubt my favorite type of food.
ReplyDeleteYes, it sure is! And I hear you when it comes to feeling hungry after watching one of the episodes.
ReplyDelete"Italian food is without a doubt my favorite type of food."
Well, being Italian myself, I'd have to agree with you! I love all Mediterranean food. XXXX
Hiya Matt!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I've had Dominos Pizza in the past and it was really, really good! And I've also tried a few frozen pizzas at TJ and thought they were excellent! Sometime I even make pizza using a Naan bread.
And OMG, thanks so much for sharing the link. HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have an excellent rest of your week!
X
Morning, Clair!
ReplyDelete"Ron, I'm happy to hear that you don't hate me because I like pineapple on my pizza. LOL!"
HA! No, I don't hate you at all! As I shared, I know a lot of people out there LOVE pizza with pineapple. And OI hear you about it being an "acquired taste" because there are things I've tried in the past that I was apprehensive about, but ending up liking the taste as time went on. Also, I think our taste buds change as we age. Things I used to like, I find horrendous. Yet, there are things I didn't like, which I now do.
"My second would be white/bianca pizza."
Ooooooo....now that sounds very interesting! I've never heard of white/bianca pizza. I need to look it up online.
Thanks so much for stopping today, Clair! Always great seeing your comments! Have a superb day!
X
"When the kids still all lived here, we had pizza almost every Saturday night."
ReplyDeleteOMG, it was the same when I was a kid. Our pizza night was Thursday because that was the night my father was at his "boys club" with his friends. My mother would order several pizzas and liters of orange soda and coke. What a FUN night that was for us kids!
"Did you ever have UNO’s?? I had it in NYC in 1984 on my first trip there and it was amazing!"
I most certainly have and I LOVED it! We don't have them in the city of Philadelphia, but we did in Florida. In fact, there was one near the shopping mall I used to work at. Sometimes I would meet friends for dinner there.
" And it’s only been the last few years that I’ve come to appreciate arugula. I used to hate it, but now I really enjoy it, except for the stems!"
Me too! I slowly developed a taste for arugula. And I'm the same with the stems! I also feel that way about spinach. I have to remove all the stems before I eat it because some of the stems are so big that I fear CHOKING on them. LOL!
"don’t hate me, but I do LOVE pineapple pizza!!😳😱 it’s delicious!"
Nooooo, my friend, I could NEVER hate you. As I shared, I know that MANY people like pineapple pizza. To each his/her own. I'm just very picky about not only pizza, but food in general. I don't like a lot of toppings, spices, and other things on my food. My father was that way too. Although, he ate a lot more stuff than me. Hell, he even (made) and ate Pickled pigs' feet. GROSS!
And I hear you about anchovies. NOT a fan of them. And I know what you mean about wood fire pizza. Yes, it DOES taste like smoke.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your likes and dislikes, my friend! I love reading your comments!
Have a faaaaaaabulous day!
X
Ron, here's a link to making white bianca pizza. Hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU, CLAIR! Look so DELICIOUS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm still giggling over your distaste for pineapple pizza, Ron! Having never tried it, I can't say for sure I don't like it, but I guess there's a reason I haven't tried it, huh? It just sounds so wrong on so many levels. I mean, pizza is great and so is pineapple, but the two together? Sounds pretty gross!
ReplyDeleteI, too, love pizza. And because there are so many variations that I enjoy, I could probably eat it every day! When I got diagnosed with IBS over the summer and started eliminating gluten, I thought I'd die from lack of pasta and pizza (I'm half-Italian, you know!). Anyway, I found a gluten-free crust in the store, gave it a try, and lo and behold, I found it delicious! (I tried gluten-free pastas, and they were merely edible). I've gradually added a bit of wheat back into my diet, but I'm keeping the gluten-free pizza crust around because it's so good!
I like my pizzas topped with tomato sauce, green olives, colored peppers, and lots of cheese. Sometimes I'll add a few slices of hot dog, too. I'm not real fond of the "deep-dish" kind of crust (too much bread, I guess), and while I used to enjoy pepperoni, I find it too spicy these days. This post has my mouth watering, my friend -- happy weekend to come! xx
Helloooooooooooooo there, Debbie!
ReplyDelete"It just sounds so wrong on so many levels. I mean, pizza is great and so is pineapple, but the two together? Sounds pretty gross!"
Yes, my feelings exactly! Like I shared, I do enjoy eating pineapple. In fact, I love it. However, NOT on a pizza. Like Stanley Tucci said, "It's just GROSS."
But hey, I know that many people love it. So, to each his/her own. But it's not for me.
"Anyway, I found a gluten-free crust in the store, gave it a try, and lo and behold, I found it delicious! (I tried gluten-free pastas, and they were merely edible). I've gradually added a bit of wheat back into my diet, but I'm keeping the gluten-free pizza crust around because it's so good!"
That's AWESOME! Yes, I remember you mentioning on your blog about IBS and changing your diet. Good for you that you found gluten-free and that you ENJOY it. Yaaaaaaay!
"I like my pizzas topped with tomato sauce, green olives, colored peppers, and lots of cheese. Sometimes I'll add a few slices of hot dog, too."
Interesting! I neve even thought about putting hot dog on a pizza. But when I used to eat meat, I did enjoy a hot dog with mustard and relish. I use to go to a place in NYC called, Nathan's Famous, in Time Square. You could get two hot dogs for like $4.00. My friends and I would eat lunch there because it was cheap and filling.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your pizza faves! Have a great rest of your week, and weekend to come!
X
Oh Ron, I love this post for so many reasons! One, I LOVE pizza! How anyone can hate pizza is beyond comprehension. And two, I LOVE Stanley Tucci! Not only as an actor, but his food series in Italy. I also follow him on Instagram. Such a cutie he is!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I love all kinds of pizza. But if I had to choose my top of the list, like you, it would be margherita. Being a New Yorker, I love NY pizza. But I also like Chicago-style pizza too. The only thing I don't like on my pizza (besides PINEAPPLE - YUCK!), would be mushrooms. I'm a not a fan of the texture and taste of mushrooms. Other than that, I'll eat it all.
"Let me put it this way. If I were starving to death in a desert and my only option was to eat pineapple pizza, I'd choose death." ---- Hilarious, and I agree!
Thanks for such a delicious and funny, funny post, Ron! xo
P.S. I can eat olives right out of the jar too!
Hola Denise!
ReplyDelete"How anyone can hate pizza is beyond comprehension."
My sentiments exactly!
Don't you just love Stanley? I've been following his career for so many years. I think the first film I ever saw him in was, "Big Night", which was all about FOOD. One of my faves was "The Devil Wears Prada". I too follow him on Instagram.
"The only thing I don't like on my pizza (besides PINEAPPLE - YUCK!), would be mushrooms. I'm a not a fan of the texture and taste of mushrooms. "
I am so with you about mushrooms. Not a fan of the texture AND taste.
Aren't olives heavenly? And I eat them all - black, green, and kalamata. I love green olives stuffed with garlic!
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your pizza (and Stanley Tucci) love! Have a great rest of your week!
X
LOL! I knew you would love it!
ReplyDelete👍👍👍👍
ReplyDeleteI can't stop laughing. This post made my entire week.
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost, who doesn't enjoy both pizza AND pasta? I mean, I understand not liking one of the other, but BOTH? I hate her too, Ron. 🤣
I like all of the pizzas you like, but I've never had an olive pizza. On my pizza, I usually request black olives, but not only olives. I would definitely try that!
I like my pizza with green peppers, onions, and black olives topped with extra cheese. I like pepperoni on occasion, but not very often. But I love a Margherita pizza. It's my personal favorite.
Deep dish pizza is a popular style where we live, and it's delicious. But, we only eat that on special occasions. We usually get tavern style or thin crust pizza.
Stanley Tucci is one of my favorite actors. Love him.
Even though I enjoy the combination of sweet and sour, I will never put pineapple on my pizza.
I can always count on you to make me laugh or smile. Have a fantastic weekend, my friend! 😘❤️
Helloooooooo there, Kari!
ReplyDeleteSorry it took me so long to respond to your comment, but I worked extra hours this past weekend and was soooo busy.
"First and foremost, who doesn't enjoy both pizza AND pasta? I mean, I understand not liking one of the other, but BOTH? I hate her too, Ron. 🤣"
Right? And like I shared, she was notorious for disagreeing with people JUST to be disagreeable. Thank god she no longer works there. HA!
"I like my pizza with green peppers, onions, and black olives topped with extra cheese. I like pepperoni on occasion, but not very often. But I love a Margherita pizza. It's my personal favorite."
Sounds delicious! And isn't Margherita pizza the bomb? I love it's simplicity, and that it's got all my favorite food items.
"Deep dish pizza is a popular style where we live, and it's delicious. But, we only eat that on special occasions. "
Yup, being that you're in the Chicago area, I know how deep dish pizza is popular. When I lived in Florida, I used to order pizza from a Chicago-style pizza place. It was soooooooo delicious!
Isn't Stanley Tucci just the best? I've been following his career for years. He's so versatile in all the roles he's portrayed.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaabulous week!
X
*sigh*
ReplyDeleteI've been on a diet for months... and haven't had pizza because I don't trust myself to not eat the whole freaking thing!! I might treat myself soon, and make Ron hide leftover in his truck. haha. It's one of my very favorite foods. I'm pretty picky about what I like, too. My fav is probably Margherita! I like thick, thin, or deep dish types, but few toppings. Definitely NO to pineapple... altho I can't eat that anymore at all any way, it upsets my tummy. I do like white pizza, just olive oil, cheese, and maybe spinach and/or tomatoes. I would eat onions, and prefer the sweet type if I'm making it at home (and sauteed garlic), and some spices are fine too... oregano, black pepper, etc. Not a vegetarian, but, don't usually need or want meat on pizza. If I did, it would probably be a little pepperoni.
Yummy post!!
".....and haven't had pizza because I don't trust myself to not eat the whole freaking thing!!"
ReplyDeleteI know, that's how I am too. When it comes to pizza, I can literally eat a WHOLE one all by myself.
" I might treat myself soon, and make Ron hide leftover in his truck. haha."
OMG, that made me LOL!
" My fav is probably Margherita! I like thick, thin, or deep dish types, but few toppings. Definitely NO to pineapple... altho I can't eat that anymore at all any way, it upsets my tummy"
You sound just like me. I too like thick, thin, or deep dish. It all depends on my "pizza mood." But PINEAPPLE?!?! Gag me!!!
"Not a vegetarian, but, don't usually need or want meat on pizza."
When I was a kid, my mother use to order pizza on Thursday nights, when my father was playing cards with his buddies. She would often order two pizzas - one with pepperoni and mushrooms, and one plan (for me).
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your pizza likes and dislikes, my friend. Have a fabulous Saturday!
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