When I first clicked through to this link on the Wall Street Journal site about the cost of delivery vs. frozen pizza, I thought there'd be some interesting numbers and an illuminating conclusion regarding DiGiorno's ad campaign touting the cheaper price of frozen pies. But, alas, "The Numbers Guy" doesn't really break it down for us. It comes out to a he-said-she-said piece in which chain pizzerias tout their selling points while a Kraft spokeswoman maintains that DiGiorno pizzas are still cheaper. The chain-pizza party line:
Added Chris Sternberg, of Papa John’s, in an email, “With delivered pizza, the consumer invests virtually no time in the transaction: no preheating the oven, watching it, cutting it, etc. The ingredients are fresh, the service is to the doorstep, the cleanup is minimal, etc.” Sternberg also argued that the DiGiorno math should have taken into account several additional costs, such as for gas to drive to the store for a frozen pizza, and the cost of cooking the pizza at home.
And the DiGiorno take is that, "The cost of a carry-out or delivery pizza remains approximately twice that of a DiGiorno pizza."
It basically comes down to consumer preference. In my book, it's not an either-or proposition. I typically prefer delivery or take-out from a mom-and-pop shop but keep a stock of frozen pizzas on hand for emergency rations. And I'm an ultra cheapskate on my frozen pies. I have a weird thing for Totino's/Jeno's el-cheapo "Party Pizza." Frozen pizza's already a huge compromise; why spend five more bucks on a marginally better pizza experience? [Thanks, David!]
#1 drunken college food: Totino's Party Pizzas. I ate them in one piece on a big plate. Yum. I will still eat one now and again, but only if I'm really, really toasted.
Interestingly enough, Mr. Totino was the benefactor to a Catholic HS in Minnesota that my friend teaches at. No report on free pizza fringe benefits.
There is still a place in my heart (er, belly) for Elios pizza. Once every three of four years I buy myself a box. Nothing says delicious like a perforated frozen square of pizza.
Personally, the delivered pizza from even my least favorite take out place in my very unfashionable neighborhood in the outer boroughs far exceeds any frozen garbage I've ever tasted. And I'm supporting a small, local, family owned business rather than ConAgra, etc.
Glad to see I'm not alone in my love of the Totino's. Has to be the Supreme and has to be cooked in the oven directly on the rack. It may be just a $1 pizza, but sheesh, no one deserves a microwaved pizza.
The grocery store near the office must be overpriced (no surprise, in Manhattan). I just bought a couple Party Pizzas: $1.69! I remember when they were 79¢ in college.
Ha I like Totino's too. I always hit the local brick ovens but why be a snob when it comes to frozen. In fact they're not even really pizza they're in their own category.
@greenolivemedia you can also fold them like a taco in order to hold supplemental ingredients.
hahaha... TOTINOS!!! i haven't had one in forever.
@KBestOliver... throw on some Ramen noodles on top and THEN you have your ultimate college drunk food, haha....
by the way, i can't believe more people, on this website of all places, are copping to liking Totino's. Adam, please bring the people what they want... a Totino's upskirt pic!
I also love the Totino's party pizza. I used to eat this with regularity when I was a kid. With this economy I think I need to start buying these again.
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20 Comments:
Say it with me now...Mama Celeste!!
DustinM at 10:34AM on 12/09/08
I lived off of Totino's during college, especially when they were on sale for 10 for $10 at the grocery. No regrets!
Laurel E at 10:42AM on 12/09/08
#1 drunken college food: Totino's Party Pizzas. I ate them in one piece on a big plate. Yum. I will still eat one now and again, but only if I'm really, really toasted.
Interestingly enough, Mr. Totino was the benefactor to a Catholic HS in Minnesota that my friend teaches at. No report on free pizza fringe benefits.
KBestOliver at 11:31AM on 12/09/08
Did you know you can roll up those Totinos and eat them like a burrito?
greenolivemedia at 11:44AM on 12/09/08
@GREENOLIVEMEDIA: NO! WTF! THAT IS AWESOME.
Adam Kuban at 11:45AM on 12/09/08
@greenolivemedia: But will a dog eat them in 1 second flat?
Adam Kuban at 11:47AM on 12/09/08
There is still a place in my heart (er, belly) for Elios pizza. Once every three of four years I buy myself a box. Nothing says delicious like a perforated frozen square of pizza.
ESNY1077 at 12:14PM on 12/09/08
Personally, the delivered pizza from even my least favorite take out place in my very unfashionable neighborhood in the outer boroughs far exceeds any frozen garbage I've ever tasted. And I'm supporting a small, local, family owned business rather than ConAgra, etc.
MMinNYC at 12:29PM on 12/09/08
I lurve Party Pizzas!!
blogkitten at 12:47PM on 12/09/08
You can microwave the Totinos. They don't come out as good but what the hey, it's a one dollar pizza and you're plastered anyway.
redfish at 1:09PM on 12/09/08
Glad to see I'm not alone in my love of the Totino's. Has to be the Supreme and has to be cooked in the oven directly on the rack. It may be just a $1 pizza, but sheesh, no one deserves a microwaved pizza.
aebgiven at 1:17PM on 12/09/08
The grocery store near the office must be overpriced (no surprise, in Manhattan). I just bought a couple Party Pizzas: $1.69! I remember when they were 79¢ in college.
Adam Kuban at 1:21PM on 12/09/08
Ha I like Totino's too. I always hit the local brick ovens but why be a snob when it comes to frozen. In fact they're not even really pizza they're in their own category.
@greenolivemedia you can also fold them like a taco in order to hold supplemental ingredients.
bobbob at 1:37PM on 12/09/08
hahaha... TOTINOS!!! i haven't had one in forever.
@KBestOliver... throw on some Ramen noodles on top and THEN you have your ultimate college drunk food, haha....
hookrilla at 1:39PM on 12/09/08
by the way, i can't believe more people, on this website of all places, are copping to liking Totino's. Adam, please bring the people what they want... a Totino's upskirt pic!
hookrilla at 1:41PM on 12/09/08
I have to admit, I'm a sucker for a frozen pizza...especially with an egg on top of it!
Sarajahii at 1:52PM on 12/09/08
I'm a fan of the Red Baron original Supreme pizza! Love it!
gammypie at 4:14PM on 12/09/08
@greenolivemedia: A tribute to you — http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2008/12/pizza-roll-ups-make-a-totinos-burrito-pizzarito.html
Adam Kuban at 4:14PM on 12/09/08
I have a pathological need to try pretty much any pizza that anybody thinks is good. Looks like I'm gettin me some Totino's.
pizzalogist at 6:37PM on 12/09/08
I also love the Totino's party pizza. I used to eat this with regularity when I was a kid. With this economy I think I need to start buying these again.
stewmeat at 2:03PM on 12/15/08