Just flown in from Tuscany...

So what, exactly makes these pizzas "Tuscan"?

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/09/24/daily5.html?f=et66&ana=e_du

Deb

[Robin Garr]

So what, exactly makes these pizzas "Tuscan"?

Don't make me come down there!

Remeber their old slogan "no gimmicks, just good pizza"? Riiiiight.

[Robin Garr]

So what, exactly makes these pizzas "Tuscan"?

"The Six Cheese Tuscan pizza is a six-cheese blend with Italian herb seasonings on a thin crust, while the Roma Meats Tuscan pizza is topped with Italian sausage, Italian salami, Roma tomatoes, three cheeses and Italian herb seasonings."

I cannot imagine being served such a thing as this anywhere in Italy.

[Robin Garr]

I cannot imagine being served such a thing as this anywhere in Italy.

It just got worse. In Googling, I have discovered that California Pizza Kitchen makes a Tuscan <i>hummus</i>.

"Our original recipe of Tuscan white beans puréed with sesame, garlic, lemon and spices. Garnished with fresh Roma tomatoes, basil and garlic. Served with warm pizza-pita bread."

It just got worse. In Googling, I have discovered that California Pizza Kitchen makes a Tuscan hummus.

Okay, but at least that one appears to use an actual Tuscan ingredient (I assume cannellini beans are used in this hummus). Or maybe I'm wrong and the Italian sausage, and Italian seasonings on the "Tuscan" Pizzas are actually imported from Italy, along with the 6 Tuscan cheeses and they just neglected to mention it in the press release...

[Robin Garr]

at least that one appears to use an actual Tuscan ingredient (I assume cannellini beans are used in this hummus).

Yes, that's a fair point. They don't call Tuscans <i>mangiafagioli</i> for nuthin'.

But still ... Tuscan <i>hummus</i>!?

Or maybe I'm wrong and the Italian sausage, and Italian seasonings on the "Tuscan" Pizzas are actually imported from Italy, along with the 6 Tuscan cheeses and they just neglected to mention it in the press release...

It's that "Tuscan seasonings" that I was curious about. Tuscan? Italian? Mediterranean? "Hey, throw a little oregano on that pizza!"

So what, exactly makes these pizzas "Tuscan"?
Deb

Of course given where they are sold we have to ask first are they really "Pizzas"? Normally anything sold at Papa John's only has a mild similarity to anything that could be called pizza. Even when compared to other chains they are on the low end. IMHO if they are compared too true pizza parlors they're not even on the chart.

I really thought that when I opened this topic it would read "and boy are my arms tired"

MARKETING is what "makes" them Tuscan!

[Robin Garr]

Remember their old slogan "no gimmicks, just good pizza"? Riiiiight.

I can't believe that I'm defending Papa John's, even a little, but fairness requires me to point out that their thin-crust option isn't bad. Eaten hot and bubbly, it reminds me quite a bit of pizzas I used to enjoy in New York ... not from the most renowned pizzerias but from roadside pizza stands on Route 17 on the way up to the Catskills. This isn't exactly gourmet stuff, but it rings nostalgic memory chimes, and if I'm passing by a P.J.'s, I'd at least consider it.

But the abuse of "Tuscan" is starting to get on my nerves, and not just by PJ.

if only their pizza sauce wasn't so sugary sweet. blech.

[Robin Garr]

if only their pizza sauce wasn't so sugary sweet. blech.

A fair call. As I said, I wouldn't want to be the local advocate for PJ. Still, as I said, PJ's thin crust reminds me of the Red Apple Rest on Route 17 or the Pinebrook Lodge near White Lake, which was a long way from Cobble Hill but still brings back nostalgic memories. The "cheez" to sauce ratio is fairly high there, and maybe that's what holds down the sweetness.

"Tusk In" my pizza......just 'maters, Cheeze, Sawsage, Olives and maybe some onions, but NO TUSK.