Crust Craving? Who Has The Best Stuffed Crust Pizza
Level up your pizza game! This guide reveals the secrets of the "who has the best stuffed crust pizza", from perfect fillings to golden-brown glory. Who will win your next bite?
Author:Karan EmeryReviewer:James PierceJan 02, 20244.3K Shares116.6K Views
In the competitive realm of fast food, each dish has its reigning champion. Whether it's chicken sandwiches, nuggets, bacon cheeseburgers, or french fries, every brand aspires to claim the top spot in the preferences of diners. When the craving for a delectable stuffed crust pizza strikes, you might find yourself pondering who crafts the finest version and if there's room for personalization with special toppings and additional choices. We've explored a variety of pizzerias, ranging from well-known chains to local mom-and-pop establishments, in our search for the ultimate slice. Yet, the question remains: Who Has The Best Stuffed Crust Pizza?
We'll offer our experiences and insights to guide you in discovering the perfect stuffed crust pizza. Consider these fundamental aspects as you explore your choices and make your order.
History - Who Has The Best Stuffed Crust Pizza
Pizza Hut introduced the stuffed crust pizza, created by Patty Scheibmeir, which debuted on March 25, 1995, and was featured in a commercial alongside Donald Trump.
A legal challenge arose when the family of Anthony Mongiello filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Pizza Hut, alleging infringement on Mongiello's 1987 patent (US4661361A) related to creating stuffed pizza shells. In 1999, the court ruled in favor of Pizza Hut, stating that the plaintiff lacked a product patent, and the method patent was not violated simply because some examples of Pizza Hut's finished product resembled Mongiello's.
DiGiorno entered the market with its cheese-stuffed crust pizza available in grocery stores in 2001.
In 2012, Pizza Hut introduced hot dog-stuffed crust pizza in Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. Domino's also offered a hot dog-stuffed crust pizza in the U.S., U.K., and New Zealand.
Pizza Hut New Zealand featured a Marmite-stuffed crust pizza, while Pizza Hut Japan innovated with a pizza crust containing pockets stuffed alternatively with Camembert, shrimp, sausage, and mozzarella. Pizza Hut Japan offered a crust stuffed with shrimp and mayonnaise, and Pizza Hut Germany presented the "German King" with a sausage, bacon, and cheese-stuffed crust. Pizza Hut Japan and South Korea marketed pizzas with shrimp and cheese-stuffed crust, and Pizza Hut Hong Kong crafted an abalone sauce "Cheesy Lava"-stuffed crust pizza. Pizza Hut Australia created a pizza with a crust filled with miniature meat pies.
In 2020, Papa John's joined the trend by introducing its own cheese-filled stuffed crust pizza.
Top 5 Destinations For The Finest Stuffed Crust Pizza
Pizza Hut
Widely acknowledged as the originator of stuffed crust pizza, Pizza Hut remains a cherished choice among pizza enthusiasts. Their classic rendition features a crust generously filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, providing a delectable cheesy essence with every bite. The crispy and buttery crust enhances the overall indulgence of the pizza. Despite changes over the years, Pizza Hut's stuffed crust pizza continues to be a favorite, offering both the classic cheese-stuffed crust and the option to personalize with your favorite toppings.
Giordano’s
Renowned for its deep-dish pizza, the Chicago-based chain Giordano’salso excels in the realm of stuffed-crust pizza. The flaky and buttery crust offers a satisfying crunch, unveiling a center rich with cheese. The ample and well-balanced cheese filling adds both flavor and texture to each slice. Giordano’s caters to individual tastes by providing a variety of toppings, making it a must-try for pizza lovers in Chicago or those just passing through.
Papa John’s
While Papa John’smay not be as synonymous with stuffed crust pizza as some competitors, their version is certainly worth exploring. Stuffed with a blend of three cheeses – mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano – the crust achieves a flavorful and creamy core. The slightly chewy and crispy crust, coupled with just the right amount of buttery richness, makes for an enticing option. Papa John’s diverse topping choices, ranging from classic pepperoni and sausage to more unique options like grilled chicken and bacon, contribute to its appeal as a tasty and affordable stuffed crust pizza option.
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
With locations across the United States, Uno Pizzeria & Grill stands out with its exceptional stuffed crust pizza. The crispy and flaky crust delivers a satisfying crunch, leading to a creamy and cheesy center. The generously portioned cheese filling ensures a gooey and flavorful experience with each slice. Uno’s extensive range of toppings, from classic choices like sausage and peppers to more adventurous options like spinach and feta, makes it an excellent choice for pizza enthusiasts nationwide.
Little Caesars
While not the first name that comes to mind for stuffed crust pizza, Little Caesarssurprises with a remarkably tasty version. The crust is stuffed with a blend of mozzarella and Muenster cheese, creating a rich and flavorful center. Slightly buttery and crispy, the crust offers a satisfying crunch that complements the gooey cheese filling. Little Caesars provides a variety of toppings, including classics like pepperoni and mushrooms and more unique options like banana peppers and jalapenos. For those seeking a budget-friendly stuffed crust pizza option without compromising on taste, Little Caesars is definitely worth a try.
Toppings To Choose For Your Stuffed Crust Pizza
Best Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza
If you're eyeing Papa John's pizza specials nearby but are uncertain about how to personalize your pie, rest assured that Papa John's offers a diverse selection of toppings to fulfill your cravings. Whether you lean towards loading your stuffed crust pizza with wholesome, antioxidant-rich veggies or have a hankering for extra protein, Papa John's toppings provide a variety to suit your preferences. You can opt for a single topping or mix and match for a personalized flavor experience.
For instance, if you're in the mood for a sweet yet savory combination, consider pairing sausage with pineapple. For a classic and satisfying option, topping your pizza with bacon and onion is a timeless choice. Among the menu's most popular toppings, you'll discover the following delectable options:
- Bacon
- Chicken
- Green pepper
- Italian sausage
- Onion
- Mushroom
When the desire for a cheesy, baked stuffed crust pizza arises, a slice from Papa John's could be the perfect solution to satisfy your appetite and leave you fully content. Whether you prefer a loaded pie with a variety of mouth-watering toppings or simply enjoy it as is, Papa John's has you covered.
Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Vs. Papa John’s Stuffed Crust
The enduring debate between Pizza Hut's stuffed crust and Papa John's stuffed crust has captivated pizza enthusiasts for quite some time. In this comparison, we'll delve into the distinctive features of these two renowned stuffed-crust pizzas.
Preferences vary when it comes to pizza consumption; some relish the entire pizza, while others set aside the crust. The advent of stuffed crust has significantly reduced pizza waste. This innovative pizza style encourages people to savor the traditionally overlooked and somewhat bland portion of the pizza – the crust. Typically thick and devoid of sauce or toppings, this part often goes uneaten. Enhancing the crust's flavor appeals to many, as it adds a touch of taste and diverse textures to the usually crisp edge of the pizza.
Pizza Hut, known for pioneering various pizza styles, notably introduced the stuffed crust, a creation that has garnered widespread attention and positive reviews.
Papa John's, a prominent player in the pizza chain arena, embraced the trend and developed its version of stuffed crust, akin to Pizza Hut's innovation. This comparison aims to assess how these two pizza giants measure up against each other in the realm of stuffed crust pizzas.
Overall Flavor Of Their Stuffed Crust Pizza
While the visual appeal of a pizza is significant for some, the true game-changer is the extraordinary flavor. In this evaluation, we will assess the overall taste of each calorie-laden stuffed crust pizza.
Pizza Hut's Cheese Maxx and Cheesy Bites stuffed crust pizza offer a variety of toppings. Opting for the familiar combination of cheese and pepperoni, I found it to be delightful, bursting with flavors. However, certain parts of the pizza seemed overly salty, which may not be to everyone's liking, and it packs a considerable calorie count.
Renowned for its savory toppings, Pizza Hut's Cheese Maxx or Cheesy Bites delivers a delectable experience with its best-stuffed crust pizza and assorted toppings. The only adjustment I would consider is reducing the saltiness, which, while not overpowering, might be a concern for some.
On the other hand, Papa John's stuffed crust pizza, featuring spinach and cheese toppings, offers a rich medley of flavors that can truly gratify the palate. Experimenting with the meat and cheese version, I observed that the thick hand-tossed thin crust complements this option more effectively.
While the overall taste of Papa John's stuffed crust pizza is commendable, it falls slightly short of the Pizza Hut Cheese Maxx or Cheesy Bites version. It may be perceived as milder, but it doesn't lack the customary and remarkable flavors one desires in a pizza.
Flavor Of The Crust
In this comparison, the crust takes center stage as the main focal point. Let's delve into the overall taste of the crust and examine the texture of the hand-tossed cheesy crust to determine which one might be more to your liking.
The Pizza Hut Cheese Maxx and Cheesy Bites crust presents a golden appearance with a dusting of flour on top. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also makes the hand-tossed crust inviting, enticing you to savor it even after consuming the other components. The crust exudes a buttery richness, bursting with flavor as the cheese oozes out in every bite. It's worth noting that this indulgent experience comes with a higher calorie count, so exercising moderation may be advisable for those mindful of their calorie intake. Ideal for cheese enthusiasts, the crispiness on the outside and the light, airy interior create a harmonious blend.
Papa John's features a thick side cheesy crust that might give the impression of abundant stuffing inside. While it's true that the stuffed crust contains more fillings than Pizza Hut's, the balance between the bread and the cheese inside is not quite even. The thickness results in a chewy hand-tossed crust, enriched by the gratifying presence of cheese.
The Sauce Contributes To The Flavor
The choice of sauce in pizzas holds significant sway, serving as the pivotal flavor that ties together the other ingredients. A well-crafted sauce can elevate the entire pizza experience, while a subpar one can detract from the excellence of other components.
Papa John's employs a sauce for their best-stuffed crust pizza that is crafted from pizza sauce with a subtle hint of marinara. Infused with a measured tanginess, this sauce plays a crucial role in influencing the overall flavor profile. When coupled with vegetable toppings, it proves to be an ideal combination, mitigating any potential blandness in the topping ingredients. The vegetable toppings themselves are impeccably cooked, devoid of any bitter aftertaste.
On the Pizza Hut front, their sauce fulfills its role effectively by binding the diverse flavors without overpowering the overall pizza taste. Striking a well-balanced note, it harmonizes seamlessly with the other ingredients. Adding to the appeal is a touch of sweetness amid the overall salty taste, creating a delightful interplay of flavors. The tanginess in the sauce also cleverly entices the palate, making it a pleasure to savor the balanced taste offered by Pizza Hut.
The Cheese Within The Stuffed Crust
While the cheese atop the pizza itself may seem similar between Pizza Hut and Papa John's, the distinguishing factor lies in the cheese concealed within the stuffed crust, along with variations in texture.
Despite both companies utilizing the same type of cheese for their premier stuffed crusts (mozzarella), differences in taste do emerge. Pizza Hut's rendition tends to lean towards a saltier and more savory flavor profile.
In contrast, Papa John's version achieves an overall balanced taste, attributed in part to the thickness of the crust. With a larger portion of crust or dough accompanying the cheese, the taste is milder. The mozzarella cheese within Pizza Hut's stuffed crust is melted to perfection, complementing the crispy exterior. This harmonious combination balances well with the thin crust, ensuring the taste is savored in every bite.
Papa John's version, while equally satisfying, presents mozzarella cheese that has a less pronounced impact on the overall flavor. Additionally, it tends to be slightly drier compared to the Pizza Hut counterpart.
Frequently Asked Questions - Who Has The Best Stuffed Crust Pizza
Does Domino's Feature Stuffed Crust Pizza?
Certainly, Domino's includes stuffed crust pizza in its menu offerings. The crust is filled with a blend of cheeses and can be customized with your preferred toppings, providing a delightful and indulgent pizza experience.
Which Is Superior: Papa John's Or Domino's?
Between Papa John's and Domino's, Papa John's pizzas emerge as the superior choice, offering larger, more flavorful, and healthier options with a generous array of toppings and cheese.
What's The Superior Choice: Stuffed Crust Or Pan Pizza?
When deciding between stuffed crust and pan pizza, it ultimately comes down to personal taste. Stuffed crust pizza offers a flavorful twist with its cheese-filled crust, enhancing the overall pizza experience. On the other hand, pan pizza is recognized for its crispy, buttery crust and substantial, doughy base. Both choices are delightful, and the preferred option depends on individual taste preferences and cravings.
Conclusion
The quest for the "Who Has the Best Stuffed Crust Pizza" crown is subjective, a delicious dance between melty cheese, crispy crust, and personal preference. While chains like Papa John's and Pizza Hut offer familiar comfort, local gems often surprise with unique twists and bold flavors. Ultimately, the champion rests in your hands, or rather, your taste buds. So, grab a slice, explore, experiment, and crown your own cheesy champion. Remember, the best-stuffed crust pizza is the one that leaves you wanting another bite, and another, and another... until your heart (and stomach) are content.
Karan Emery
Author
James Pierce
Reviewer
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