Nostalgia

Kaido · Mar 13, 2025

Currently missing the 80's/90's dine-in Pizza Hut experience...fresh pan pizza dough (not pre-frozen or greasy), salad bar, arcade cabinets, dessert pizza, the red cups, etc. I can still smell the store lol. I use this easy recipe to replicate the OG:

Foolproof Pan Pizza Recipe

A pan pizza recipe for those who love a thick and crispy crust that's golden on the bottom, but puffy and soft under the layers of sauce and mozzarella.

www.seriouseats.com

I worked in pizza for a few years & have stayed with it as a hobby over the years. But I miss that whole experience...there's nothing in my area that replicates it!

lxskllr · Mar 13, 2025

I liked the fire pit in the middle of the room. That, and the dim lighting.

Kaido · Mar 13, 2025

lxskllr said:
I liked the fire pit in the middle of the room. That, and the dim lighting.

It was a vibe! There are a handful of Pizza Hut Classics still floating around:

The Retrologist's Guide to Pizza Hut Classics

Plan your visit with this comprehensive list of locations

rolandopujol.substack.com

Meanwhile lately:

Tiny Pizza Hut with 'Classic' look coming to NYC

You can dine next week at your own 'Personal Pan Pizza Hut' in Long Island City

rolandopujol.substack.com

Red Squirrel · Mar 14, 2025

I remember when they came up with the desert bar, it was the coolest thing as a kid, since you could make your own deserts. Been a while since I've been there actually... last time I was there it was not all that different. They did do some renovations but it still had the same nostalgic feel.

As a side note, ours went viral a while back because of a funny typo on a sign.

Northern pizza joint's 'unforeseen circumcisions' typo goes viral

It even made the cut for George Takei of Star Trek fame to tweet about

www.orilliamatters.com

Oyeve · Mar 14, 2025

I live in NYC and Pizza Hut was never a big thing, BUT, ironically, a new Pizza Hut is being built on Delancey Street, which is only a few blocks away.

DAPUNISHER · Mar 15, 2025

People act like I said Elvis shot JFK when tell them Pizza Hut Pan pizza was excellent in the 80s.

I can't even do chain pizza anymore. Domino's with my own specs was the last ones I ordered. It's the pizza joint in front of my subdivision now. Dude knows his pie.

Kaido · Mar 15, 2025

DAPUNISHER said:
People act like I said Elvis shot JFK when tell them Pizza Hut Pan pizza was excellent in the 80s.

I can't even do chain pizza anymore. Domino's with my own specs was the last ones I ordered. It's the pizza joint in front of my subdivision now. Dude knows his pie.

Everything was fresh-made back then. I'd say Pizza Hut was good in the 90's as well, then started going downhill in the 2000's. Now it's just meh & greasy.

I LIVED for Book-It free personal-pan pizza club! That's probably the only reason I ever read anything lol. This is a hilarious read btw:

How My Mom Scammed Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT! Program to Feed Our Family

If you went to public school in the late 80’s, you remember the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program. If you were a fat kid with no friends, it was…

jamiecampbellcomedy.medium.com

GodisanAtheist · Mar 15, 2025

80's/90's era mass market pizza was something else.

I've given up on takeout across the board more or less, but I've really thrown in the towel with Pizza. Dominos/little Caesars have this super gluey/glutinous crust that goes to shit 5 minutes after the pizza has come out of the oven. Round Table will make you a tasty pie, but they'll charge out the nose and it still won't be that great. The independent joints around here make a fine (and sometimes weird) pizzas, but holy sheeet it'll run you damn near $100 to feed a family of 4 on those things.

It's just too damn easy to make pizza at home, exactly the way you like, generous portions, for like half the cost of what independent/"auture" pizza joints will sell their pie for.

Don't even have to get into those "pizza lifestyle" ovens and whatnot.

DAPUNISHER · Mar 15, 2025

GodisanAtheist said:
80's/90's era mass market pizza was something else.

I've given up on takeout across the board more or less, but I've really thrown in the towel with Pizza. Dominos/little Caesars have this super gluey/glutinous crust that goes to shit 5 minutes after the pizza has come out of the oven. Round Table will make you a tasty pie, but they'll charge out the nose and it still won't be that great. The independent joints around here make a fine (and sometimes weird) pizzas, but holy sheeet it'll run you damn near $100 to feed a family of 4 on those things.

It's just too damn easy to make pizza at home, exactly the way you like, generous portions, for like half the cost of what independent/"auture" pizza joints will sell their pie for.

Don't even have to get into those "pizza lifestyle" ovens and whatnot.

Here I can get a 24" special - all the meats and veggies - for $30.

But yeah, 80s Pizza Hut gives me warm feels. My kid did Book it in the 2000s growing up. He has good memories of it.

Kaido · Mar 15, 2025

GodisanAtheist said:
Don't even have to get into those "pizza lifestyle" ovens and whatnot.

The Ooni is a gamechanger: $300 for a multi-fuel (wood, charcoal, and gas) pizza oven that can hit 950F is an unbelievable gift to humanity. Really really incredible technology:

Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven

Uses wood or charcoal for a traditional wood-fired experience, or attach a gas burner for ease and control (sold separately) Heats to 950 °F/500 °C; cooks pizzas in just 60 seconds and weighs just 26.5lb (12kg) Reaches the ideal baking temperature of 850 °F/450 °C in as little as 15 minutes...

ooni.com

They recently released a monster 20" outdoor home oven: (950F max, 60-second pies, cook two 12" or three 10" at the same time)

Ooni Koda 2 Max Gas Powered Pizza Oven

A 24” cooking area lets you cook two 12” pizzas or three 10” pizzas simultaneously Two independently controlled temperature zones enable ultimate cooking versatility A spacious 24-inch cooking area plus ample oven height offers plenty of room for culinary creativity Two independently controlled...

ooni.com

I primarily use a Baking Steel at home, which is a "buy it for life" purchase:

Baking Steel vs. Pizza Stone: Pizza-Making Comparison

Upgrade your pizza-making experience with a Baking Steel. Say goodbye to pizza stone frustrations and enjoy better results with Baking Steel.

bakingsteel.com

A large pizza costs $24 in my town. There are no more pizza secrets thanks to the Internet, anyone can make fabulous pizza with only a home oven these days! Investing in a few key tools makes the process even easier. A SuperPeel ensures that I never goof-up loading a pizza:

Super Peel: Moving Dough Just Got Easier!

I have these great individual silicone proofing tubs, which I can freeze for later:

https://www.amazon.com/KEVJES-Stackable-Silicone-Containers-pack-500ml/dp/B09QXLJ7L2

Hormel Cup & Crisp pepperoni is my jam:

Cup and Crisp Pepperoni

Create a pizzeria favorite with savory HORMEL® Cup N’ Crisp Pepperoni slices from the maker of America’s #1 selling brand of pepperoni. (Based on the latest 52 week Circana data.) Each 5-ounce package of pepperoni is uniquely crafted to cup and crisp when cooked, bringing high-quality restaurant...

www.hormel.com

I can thaw out one or more frozen dough balls, roll them out & decorate them, load them onto my Baking Steel, and have 10/10 pizza for SUPER minimal work!

Kaido · Mar 16, 2025

DAPUNISHER said:
Here I can get a 24" special - all the meats and veggies - for $30.

Is that round or rectangle??

Chaotic42 · Mar 16, 2025

Yeah, I really miss the old Pizza Huts. As a kid we used to get coupons for good grades or reading or something at school. Where I live isn't just a pizza desert, it's a pizza waterboarding chamber - they "specialize" in St Louis style and people here seem to actively hate NY and Detroit style. Fortunately there's a local brand that makes pretty decent frozen pies.

KMFJD · Mar 16, 2025

why does the cheese on pizza nowadays suck so much, hardly any of the stretchy goodness we used to have

DAPUNISHER · Mar 16, 2025

Kaido said:
Is that round or rectangle??

Round. It's a good deal.

DAPUNISHER · Mar 16, 2025

Chaotic42 said:
.Where I live isn't just a pizza desert, it's a pizza waterboarding chamber - they "specialize" in St Louis style

Dude! My condolences. No one should have to endure that.

balloonshark · Mar 16, 2025

I really liked those red cups. I happened to see blue ones and had to order some. Here are various colors and quantities in the 16oz. size.

Amazon.com : Carlisle FoodService Products Stackable Tumbler 16

We also had a Pizza Inn downtown. I remember going there during the flood in 1985.

Kaido · Mar 16, 2025

DAPUNISHER said:
Round. It's a good deal.

Rotating a 24" pizza in the oven would be insane lol

Iron Woode · Mar 16, 2025

I made bagel pizzas tonight. Fast and tasty.

Nostalgia

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