Thursday, March 26, 2009

Pizza by vending machine?

Only 5 minutes from flour and water to completely baked? The "Let's Pizza" vending machine developed in-part at the University of Bologna does just that. I think it's safe to say it isn't going over very well with Italian chefs. Is there a place for this type of contraption? Maybe, but that place will probably never see one do to the complicated nature of such a contraption and the need for fresh ingredients. If a can of soda sits in the typical soda machine for a month nobody really cares. Grate up some cheese and let it sit in your fridge for a month, do you still want to eat it? I would bet not. Click the title link for the full story at Reuters UK.

Highly NOT Recommended. Even though I have not officially reviewed it.

GAW

Monday, March 23, 2009

G&D Pizzaria



G & D Pizzaria of Columbia, MO was opened for business in February 1977, by two brothers from Katerini, Greece, and to this day is still owned and operated by them. In fact both brothers were there in the open kitchen when I picked up my pizza. G & D Pizzaria is not your typical pizza joint as you can tell as soon as you pick their menu, the sub-title reads "Delicious Pizza * Choice Steaks". I would still call them a full service pizza joint. There pizza toppings include items such as gyro, artichoke hearts, shrimp and even broccoli. You can also get feta or pepper cheese on your pie. Besides pizza they have sandwiches (hamburgers to subs), steaks & entrees (including a 15oz New York Strip, broiled salmon and spaghetti) and all of the sides to go along. There is also a small section of Greek food on the menu including Gyros, Souvlaki (chunks of pork on a pita), spaghetti (with feta, oregano, olive oil, and tomatoes), and two kinds of salad. If you have room at the end of your meal they even have baklava.

I ordered a medium pepperoni, Canadian bacon, ground beef and onion. The total for the 12" pie was just under $18. The first thing you notice is that all of the toppings are under the cheese, except for the stray piece of Canadian bacon and onion. The second thing is the beautiful dark golden brown crust. The pizza is cut on the square so that you end up with 4 small corners of crust with just a little cheese on them, they call to you in a small voice the whole way home "eat me... eat me...". I suffered all the way home so that I could photograph the whole pie. The ride home (were I was staying, not really my home over 2 hours away) was a bit longer than I normally do for carry out, even so the pizza was all most the perfect temperature when I started eating. There is a generous amount of cheese and toppings, the stand out being the ground beef. The ground bee is cooked up to a very fine texture and becomes one with the sauce once on the pie. It can be messy as it has a tendency to fall our, the rest of the toppings are encased in the cheese. The pepperoni, Canadian bacon and onions all have great taste and are in just the right amount. The crust... WOW! The crust is that dark golden brown, and the bottom of the pie is just a little bit darker. The center squares do need some support (I believe the crust softened some during my long drive home).

G & D Pizzaria is in a class all by it's self, and is definitely on my list for a return visit. If you find your self hungry and in Columbia, MO it would be worth your time to visit G & D Pizzaria. G & D Pizzaria is located in the Crossroads West Shopping Center at the corner of W. Broadway and S. Stadium Blvd Columbia, MO. You can reach them at (573) 445-8336, for more information check out their web-site(click on the title link).

Highly Recommended.

GAW

Friday, March 20, 2009

It's been 25 days since I last ate Pizza!


I have got to get some pizza this weekend. It's been 25 days since my last fix, I have started to have tremors, hallucinations, and a general apathy for life.

Alright alright, if it was that bad I would have been to the "Hot and Ready $5" pizza joint just across the street from work. I'm desperate not hopeless.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Pizza Snobz, Deep Fried.

Are you getting tired of your run of the mill pizzeria pizza? Is your slice just not quenching your caloric needs? The Pizza Snobz of the Wilson Borough in Easton, PA have got just what you need, Deep Fried Pizza. You can drop every thing else in the deep fryer so why not a slice of pizza. For the full story click the title link.

Just in case you have a craving Pizza Snobz is located at: 2300 Butler St. Easton, PA 18042

I now know what direction my summer road trip will be going...

GAW

Monday, March 16, 2009

Pizza World expanding.

In a interview published today with the Belleville News Democrat, Eric Wortham the founder of Pizza World stated they had 15 locations with 10 more under contract to open.

I was a little bit disappointed to learn that Mr. Wortham started Pizza World in Maplewood, MO 18 years ago not for his passion in making great pizza, but instead for his desire to be his own boss. Even though it wasn't a passion for pizza that got him started, the pizza is very good, it beats the big three any day of the week hands down. Prior to starting Pizza World He worked in the aircraft industry. If you would like to read the interview please follow the title link.

Pizza World was the first pizza joint I reviewed on this site, and I liked it quite well. At some point in the future I'm sure I will spend some more of my money there.

GAW.