Patrick Oconnell
Pizza is a beloved dish around the world, and one of the most debated topics surrounding it is which restaurant serves the best cheese crust pizza. Cheese crust pizza, also known as stuffed crust pizza, is a type of pizza where cheese is baked into the edge of the crust, creating a cheesy and crispy texture. While the origin of cheese crust pizza is often attributed to Pizza Hut's 1995 advertising campaign, numerous restaurants and pizza chains have since put their spin on this popular dish. From Little Caesars' Pretzel Stuffed Crust to Papa John's Epic Stuffed Crust, each restaurant offers unique variations that cater to different taste preferences. Even within the same city, such as Los Angeles, various pizzerias like Hail Mary, Pagliacci's, and Pizzeria Mozza, are acclaimed for their distinctive cheese crust pizzas. With so many options available, it's no surprise that the debate over the best cheese crust pizza continues to rage on.
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What You'll Learn
Best cheese crust pizza in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a pizza hotspot, with a variety of options for pizza lovers. If you're looking for the best cheese crust pizza in LA, here are some top contenders:
Hail Mary
Hail Mary is a popular choice among pizza enthusiasts in LA. Their sourdough starter is described as legendary, and their pizzas are said to be the closest to Italian, French, and Croatian styles. The Beatrix pizza, in particular, is a favourite, known for its generous amount of Parmesan, adding an umami tang to the pie.
Fiorelli Pizza
Fiorelli Pizza, located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, is a relatively new pizzeria opened by chef Michael Fiorelli and his business partner, Liz Gutierrez. Their pizzas boast a Neapolitan-style crust and classic toppings like pepperoni and margherita. The Bianca pizza, featuring three kinds of cheese, including fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano, and Challerhocker, is a vegetarian-friendly option that's sure to satisfy your cheese cravings.
Pagliacci's
Located in Studio City, Pagliacci's is known for its delicious plain cheese pizzas. If you're a purist who enjoys savouring the flavours of a simple yet perfectly executed cheese pizza, this is the place to go.
Pizzeria Mozza
Pizzeria Mozza is another spot that comes to mind when discussing the best cheese crust pizza in LA. Their Bianca pizza is highly recommended, and the crust is described as nice and crisp with awesome doughiness.
Redwood Pie
For a New York-style pizza experience, head to Redwood Pie in Hermosa Beach. Their pizzas feature a flavourful sourdough crust based on a San Francisco yeast culture. The crust strikes a perfect balance between chewy and crispy, providing a sturdy base for the generous toppings.
Danny Boy's
Danny Boy's is known for its perfectly textured crust and fresh ingredients. Their no-flop triangles cater to lunchtime office workers, but their delicious pizzas also attract Angelenos from outside the area.
DeSano
DeSano, located in Hollywood, is part of a Neapolitan-style national chain. Their pizzas feature imported ingredients, including Italian flour and cheese, and Mediterranean sea salt. The ricotta-stuffed crust dessert pizza topped with Nutella and broken cannolis is a must-try for those with a sweet tooth.
Thanks Pizza
Located in Koreatown's California Marketplace, Thanks Pizza offers a unique twist on the traditional pizza. They serve thick-crusted Korean-influenced pies with unconventional toppings like garlic chicken, tater tots, bulgogi, and basil marscapone. The heavily layered cheese and high-quality pepperoni will satisfy any cravings for a classic fast food-style pizza with a fusion twist.
These are just a few of the many fantastic options for cheese crust pizza in Los Angeles. Each pizzeria brings its unique style and flavours to the table, ensuring that pizza lovers in LA are spoiled for choice.
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Best frozen cheese crust pizzas
When it comes to frozen cheese crust pizzas, there are several options that stand out for pizza lovers. Here are some of the best frozen cheese crust pizzas to consider:
Trader Joe's Pizza Margherita:
This pizza is a great choice if you're craving a taste of Naples. It offers a crunchy crust and chewy cheese, bringing you closer to the authentic Italian pizza experience. The ratio of sauce to cheese is well-balanced, ensuring a delightful dining experience.
Newman's Own Uncured Pepperoni Thin and Crispy Pizza:
If you're a fan of thin and crispy pizzas, Newman's Own Uncured Pepperoni pizza is a fantastic option. It delivers on taste and texture, providing a crunchy crust and a generous helping of pepperoni.
DiGiorno's Rising Crust Pizza:
DiGiorno's frozen pizzas are renowned for their thick and pillowy crusts. Their Rising Crust Pizza is a standout option, offering a well-balanced blend of flavours and textures. The crust is airy, maintaining a delicate balance without being overly dense or tough.
Banza's Four Cheese Pizza:
For those seeking a gluten-free option, Banza's Four Cheese Pizza is a delightful surprise. It features a crisp, thin crust made from chickpea flour, providing a delicious foundation for the four types of cheese. This pizza is a fantastic choice for those who want a crispy, chewy texture without compromising on taste.
Papa John's Epic Stuffed Crust Pizza:
Papa John's takes the classic stuffed crust to the next level with their Epic Stuffed Crust Pizza. It's stuffed with melty mozzarella cheese and baked to a golden perfection, offering a true indulgence for cheese lovers. The original dough and generous filling make it a popular choice among pizza enthusiasts.
Little Caesars Pretzel Stuffed Crust Pizza:
Little Caesars sets itself apart with its Pretzel Stuffed Crust Pizza. While the chain may be known for its affordable Hot-N-Ready pizzas, the Pretzel Stuffed Crust is a fan favourite. It offers a unique twist on the traditional stuffed crust, combining the savoury goodness of pretzels with the stretchy, cheesy delight of a stuffed crust.
Whether you're craving a thin and crispy slice or a hearty, stuffed crust experience, these frozen cheese crust pizzas are sure to satisfy your pizza cravings.
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Best stuffed crust pizza in New York City
New York City is known for its pizza, and if you're looking for a great stuffed crust, there are some excellent options. Firstly, Marinara Pizza, a small chain with five locations in Manhattan, is highly recommended for its New York-style thin-crust and stuffed pies.
For a classic NYC slice with a twist, try Hector's, where you can get a plain slice with cold mozzarella in the crust. Serious Eats, located near Penn Station, is also a good choice, offering an 'upside-down' slice with cheese in the crust.
If you're looking for a more upscale option, try Bleeker Street, which offers a fine-dining experience with a creative, pregnancy-friendly twist on the traditional stuffed crust.
For a fast-food option, Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust pizzas have a loyal fan base, and Papa John's offers an "Epic Stuffed Crust" with mozzarella baked into the crust. Little Caesars is another chain with a dedicated following for its stuffed crust pizzas, especially the Pretzel Stuffed Crust variety.
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Best fast-food chain for cheese crust pizza
When it comes to fast-food chain pizza with cheese crust, there are several popular options. Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Little Caesars are among the top contenders, each with its unique take on this indulgent treat.
Pizza Hut is a well-known name in the pizza game, and their Original Stuffed Crust pizzas have a special place in the hearts of many. Their version features string cheese around the edges, with dough pulled over and baked to a golden finish. While some patrons rave about the buttery pan-style crust, others find the thin and floppy crust a bit disappointing. Pizza Hut also offers a range of crust enhancement options, from sesame to Cajun, to elevate your pizza experience.
Papa John's, a close competitor, offers Epic Stuffed Crust pizzas with their original dough stuffed with melty mozzarella cheese. For added flavour, their Garlic Epic Stuffed Crust features a special garlic sauce stuffed into the crust and drizzled on top. Papa John's allows customers to choose from a variety of pies to be made on their stuffed crust base, ensuring a satisfying and cheesy experience.
Little Caesars, a Detroit-based chain, has developed a loyal following for its stuffed crust pizzas. Their Pretzel Stuffed Crust pizzas are particularly noteworthy, offering a unique combination of pretzel crust and mozzarella cheese. Little Caesars also provides a range of crust flavours, including Roma, Parmesan, and garlic, allowing customers to customise their pizza to their liking.
While personal preference plays a significant role in choosing the best cheese crust pizza, these three chains consistently deliver on taste, quality, and innovation. Whether you're a fan of traditional mozzarella or adventurous enough to try pretzel crust, Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Little Caesars will surely satisfy your cheesy cravings.
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Best cheese crust pizza dough
Pizza is a beloved dish worldwide, and while the classic combination of risen dough, cooked tomatoes, and cheese is hard to beat, there are many ways to elevate this simple formula. One way to do this is to focus on the crust, which can make or break a pizza. Stuffed crust pizzas, for example, offer a unique textural experience and an even cheesier taste.
Fast-food chains with the best cheese crust pizzas
Pizza Hut and Papa John's are two of the most well-known pizza chains offering stuffed crust pizzas. Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust pizzas have a loyal following, with many customers raving about the nostalgic, melty cheese-filled crust. Papa John's, on the other hand, offers an Epic Stuffed Crust option, which is their original dough stuffed with mozzarella cheese and baked to a golden crisp. Papa John's also has a Garlic Epic Stuffed Crust option, which includes their Special Garlic Sauce stuffed into the crust and drizzled on top. Little Caesars is another popular choice, especially for their Pretzel Stuffed Crust pizzas, which are filled with mozzarella cheese and served with cheese sauce.
Local restaurants with the best cheese crust pizzas
For those looking for a more artisanal cheese crust pizza experience, there are also many local restaurants that excel in this category. In Los Angeles, Hail Mary Pizza is known for its sourdough crust, which is considered the best by many locals. Pizzeria Mozza is another LA favourite, known for its Bianca pizza and crispy, doughy crust. Other notable mentions in LA include Pagliacci's in Studio City, U-S-T-R-E-E-T Pizza in Pasadena, and Bagel and Slice in Highland Park.
Frozen pizzas with the best cheese crusts
For those nights when you're craving pizza but don't want to leave the house, there are also some frozen pizza options with notable cheese crusts. Table 87, for example, offers a high-end, coal-oven-baked margherita pizza with a chewy, floury, crisp crust and whole-milk mozzarella. Newman's Own Uncured Pepperoni Pizza is another option, with a thin, crunchy crust and whole-milk mozzarella. For a more nostalgic, kid-friendly option, Tombstone Original Thin Crust 5 Cheese Pizza delivers a chewy, crunchy crust and a basic marinara sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several fast-food chains that serve cheese-stuffed crust pizzas, including Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Little Caesars. While Pizza Hut claims to have the "Original Stuffed Crust," Papa John's offers an "Epic Stuffed Crust" option, and Little Caesars has a Pretzel Stuffed Crust variety. Personal preference may vary, but all three are popular choices.
Yes, there are many regional pizza places known for their cheese crust pizzas. In Los Angeles, for example, Hail Mary, Desano's, and Miller/Butler are all recommended options. Other places in LA that serve good cheese crust pizza include Pagliacci's, U-S t r e e t Pizza, and Bagel and Slice.
If you're looking for a frozen cheese crust pizza, Table 87 is a good choice for its simple flavors and recognizable ingredients. Newman's Own Uncured Pepperoni Pizza is also an option, offering a thin crust with higher-quality ingredients. For a basic, inexpensive cheese crust pizza, you could try Tombstone Original Thin Crust 5 Cheese Pizza, which offers a nostalgic vibe.
When making a cheese crust pizza at home, it's important to get the right balance of ingredients, proportions, and techniques. Freshness is key, and the type of sauce and cheese used can make a big difference. For a simple, classic option, you can use a combination of risen dough, cooked tomatoes, and white cheese. Enhancing the crust with seasonings like garlic-herb, sesame, or poppy seed can also add flavor.
