Clicking in to the Slice inbox last night, I found this great response to the Domino's debacle from Philip G., who comments here as Prairie. It's a great message and reminds me that I probably was a little harsh in my rant the other day. Take it away, Philip! —The Mgmt.
Adam, It's been a long day. Like most days at the restaurant it was a 12+ hour, action packed, pizza filled day. I've been thinking a lot about the Domino's business. Internet-wide people have started to raise the torches to tear down big chain and mass produced pizza. I get it. I really, really get it. I manage a pizza buffet, old friend, and though we are small company (six locations) we are harmed by any bad exposure that a pizza place gets. A lady just today asked me (very angrily)why my pizza guy wasn't wearing gloves...a long discussion for another day.
When I started here in 2008 I knew that it was a change from what I was used to cooking at home and eating. Like Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Papa John's the pizza that we serve at my restaurant isn't New York Style, Neopolitan, or anything close to it. It is American Pizza. It is a well produced and easily defined style....and people like it. Lots of them! As GM of the restaurant I am responsible for making people happy. They give me money, sure, but more importantly they trust me and my team to serve them hot, fresh, and delicious food. The customers rely on us and their trust is very important to me AND my employees.
I was one of the people who used to shrug off chain pizza. I'd eat it when I had to, maybe, but other than that I dismissed it as not being real pizza. Whatever, I say! In the same way that the pizza of DiFara, Pizzeria Bianco, Totonno's, and more make us Serious Eaters happy, my restaurant is making Mom, Dad, and their kids (and maybe their soccer team as well) happy everyday. Pizza is a huge part of our lives, Adam, and I think together we need to knock down the walls of hate.
Lots and lots of honest people work to serve the public every day- whether it's a mom & pop place, a regional chain like mine, or a giant corporation, I think we need to remember there ARE hardworking people behind all of those stores.
Nice post, Philip....it gives us consumers a different perspective. You make an excellent point about the good, hard working employees who put in their 8 hours a day and more in the service industry. In this economy, those two morons obviously didn't see how lucky they were to HAVE a job at Domino's. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there right now that would love to fill those vacancies at that Domino's franchise.
Still doesn't take away from the fact of how gross these take out places are. They are about churning out pizzas in the quickest time, regardless of quality.
@prairie Keep up the good work. Your restaurants provide lots of people with an affordable family dining option in a very fasted paced time. And lets not forget the vital role you play in the collegiate community. BTW, I knew I should have trademarked "PG".
Thanks for the love. That really is what its all about, making peop Neole happy .
We as neopolitan and new york pizza lovers know what we need to produce (and see) a quality pie. For most of America that is totally different.
We use housemade dough, real mozz, and canned tomatoes just like every other pizzeria in the world. It is a DIFFERENT STYLE of pizza, that doesn't mean it isn't quality. It's different.
Great post. While I also prefer the classic new york coal oven pizzas the standard american pizza as you describe it definitely has its place in this world. Different strokes for different folks, after all.
I agree with what most of you are saying. You know, I live down the street from some solid slice places, as well as Co. and Patsy's (the weak 23rd st location) etc, and get great pizza a lot and guess what? I still buy frozen pizza twice per month!
People let their wallets do the talking. The average joe is a tastemaker. If there was no place for a pizza joint like Phillip's, it would go out of business. Instead, it is successful enough for 6 locations. People look down their noses too often around here (myself included...) and need to keep in mind that we are nothing but highly opinionated people with an easy way to get their voices heard, online.
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It's been a long day. Like most days at the restaurant it was a 12+ hour, action packed, pizza filled day. I've been thinking a lot about the Domino's business. Internet-wide people have started to raise the torches to tear down big chain and mass produced pizza. I get it. I really, really get it. I manage a pizza buffet, old friend, and though we are small company (six locations) we are harmed by any bad exposure that a pizza place gets. A lady just today asked me (very angrily)why my pizza guy wasn't wearing gloves...a long discussion for another day.
7 Comments:
Nice post, Philip....it gives us consumers a different perspective. You make an excellent point about the good, hard working employees who put in their 8 hours a day and more in the service industry. In this economy, those two morons obviously didn't see how lucky they were to HAVE a job at Domino's. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there right now that would love to fill those vacancies at that Domino's franchise.
DC Caps at 11:44AM on 04/17/09
Still doesn't take away from the fact of how gross these take out places are. They are about churning out pizzas in the quickest time, regardless of quality.
pizzaexpert at 11:54AM on 04/17/09
PE,
IF I take the time to type out a thoughtful reply, do you promise to respond instead of comment sniping?
PG
PS kudos for not alluding to your site for once
Prairie at 12:22PM on 04/17/09
@prairie Keep up the good work. Your restaurants provide lots of people with an affordable family dining option in a very fasted paced time. And lets not forget the vital role you play in the collegiate community. BTW, I knew I should have trademarked "PG".
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 12:47PM on 04/17/09
PG,
Thanks for the love. That really is what its all about, making peop Neole happy .
We as neopolitan and new york pizza lovers know what we need to produce (and see) a quality pie. For most of America that is totally different.
We use housemade dough, real mozz, and canned tomatoes just like every other pizzeria in the world. It is a DIFFERENT STYLE of pizza, that doesn't mean it isn't quality. It's different.
PG
Prairie at 12:59PM on 04/17/09
Great post. While I also prefer the classic new york coal oven pizzas the standard american pizza as you describe it definitely has its place in this world. Different strokes for different folks, after all.
sloppy at 3:47PM on 04/17/09
I agree with what most of you are saying. You know, I live down the street from some solid slice places, as well as Co. and Patsy's (the weak 23rd st location) etc, and get great pizza a lot and guess what? I still buy frozen pizza twice per month!
People let their wallets do the talking. The average joe is a tastemaker. If there was no place for a pizza joint like Phillip's, it would go out of business. Instead, it is successful enough for 6 locations. People look down their noses too often around here (myself included...) and need to keep in mind that we are nothing but highly opinionated people with an easy way to get their voices heard, online.
Big B at 10:52PM on 04/17/09