Economic Activism: Pizzeria Pizza

Economic Activism Thought of the Week

I talked about fast food last week, but Pizza is a special class of "fast food", worth mentioning separately. It was introduced into the U.S. diet by small mama-and-papa pizzerias, and has since become as American as apple pie. But a handful of huge chains like Domino's, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's, and Papa John's are supplanting real pizzerias.

You can't even walk in, sit down, and order a pizza at most of these places; they're delivery/take-out-only. And their pies all have a mass-produced sameness to them. To compete with the delivery giants, independent pizzerias usually offer delivery and take-out service now as well, and I take advantage of it, calling ahead then walking down the street (past three of the above chains) to pick up a pizza from Gino's to take home.

But there's something special about going out with a bunch of friends, for pizzas made by a cook from his own recipe (not minimum-wagers assembling them by rote). Find a real pizzeria with a beer/wine licence, and you're all set!