A little pizza smack talkin'

OK...I found the article. If you follow the link Annemarie's provided and then click on the little "30 day" tab the entire article comes up.

I was really hoping for a bit more "smack"...this was more like a little "peck" on the cheek (note weak attempt at Italian humor).

Alrighty then...So we've got "destination" pizza (must be a pretty short trip...IMHO). We've got "Drunk Food" pizza made BY tatt-ed up kids for DRUNK tatt-ed up kids. What else are we talking ? Personally (Pappalinos) aside...which <sniff> I still haven't tried) my thought is that if there is a "pizza war" down on the Bardstown and/or Baxter corridor that every one of these places needs to go back and be reissued new weapons. We've tried 'em all and have yet to come across ANYTHING even remotely memorable. Just MHO.

Alrighty then...So we've got "destination" pizza (must be a pretty short trip...IMHO). We've got "Drunk Food" pizza made BY tatt-ed up kids for DRUNK tatt-ed up kids. What else are we talking ? Personally (Pappalinos) aside...which <sniff> I still haven't tried) my thought is that if there is a "pizza war" down on the Bardstown and/or Baxter corridor that every one of these places needs to go back and be reissued new weapons. We've tried 'em all and have yet to come across ANYTHING even remotely memorable. Just MHO.

Steve, you're coming off as a snob! How dare you assume people are looking for memorable. Through my Louisville years, I've known plenty of folk who swear by Wick's for watching football on Sundays. Seems, based on what they have told me, that the very mediocrity and predictability that Wick's offers is what keeps them coming back. Nobody wants to have "snobby" pizza and beer with football when Ice Cold Piss Water and "Eh, It's Okay, but Nothing Great" Pizza fills the role perfectly.

I don't know the details and/or if it is still going on, but I also remember friends going there for all-you-can eat and drink events. Maybe I have the details wrong as I don't even know if all-you-can-drink is legal around here, but that's how I remember it being told to me.

I don't see a pizza war on Baxter...I can't see anything beyond Pappalino's. I drive from Prospect for a slice. I'd consider that destination pizza. (Gotta drive by 2 Wick's to get there)

I don't see a pizza war on Baxter...I can't see anything beyond Pappalino's. I drive from Prospect for a slice. I'd consider that destination pizza. (Gotta drive by 2 Wick's to get there)

It's interesting that Wick's is selling slices at lunch now. Looks like they're feeling the squeeze from the new guys down the street.

Steve,

Have you tried Perfecto Pizza?

I'm not really clear if you're not impressed with any pizza you've eaten in Louisville or particular ones in question.

Steve, you're coming off as a snob! How dare you assume people are looking for memorable. Through my Louisville years, I've known plenty of folk who swear by Wick's for watching football on Sundays. Seems, based on what they have told me, that the very mediocrity and predictability that Wick's offers is what keeps them coming back. Nobody wants to have "snobby" pizza and beer with football when Ice Cold Piss Water and "Eh, It's Okay, but Nothing Great" Pizza fills the role perfectly.

I don't know the details and/or if it is still going on, but I also remember friends going there for all-you-can eat and drink events. Maybe I have the details wrong as I don't even know if all-you-can-drink is legal around here, but that's how I remember it being told to me.

Matthew,

Thank you for noting the tongue I had in my cheek when I wrote that post (that and I was being a little ornery). I was a little bit worried people might take that post -too- seriously. I can't recall who said it...Maybe Robin...That pizza is one of the most personal of dining choices. I'm sure ALL the places mentioned have their diehard fans and that's a great thing.

My three favorite pizza places in town are Impellizzeri's, Boomboz, and Papalino's. None of these deliver to my house, so I'd guess you'd call them destination places. Depending on which style I'm in the mood for, I'll drive to get it. Clifton's and Za's are also good but don't quite make the Top Three.

If I want delivery, it's either Bearno's or the Pizza Place in Hike's Point. Both are much better than the Unholy Trinity of Papa John's, Pizza Hut and Domino's.

Paplinos is very good, I actually like Wick's on occasion, and Boombozz is also very good. For me, however, the ONLY pizza I'd consider destination-worthy is the NABC Public House/Richos.

[Robin Garr]

Paplinos is very good, I actually like Wick's on occasion, and Boombozz is also very good. For me, however, the ONLY pizza I'd consider destination-worthy is the NABC Public House/Richos.

I love NABC and am entirely happy to enjoy a pizza while I'm over there. But that said, their pizza's always been middle-of-the-road for me. Not meant argumentatively, and in respectful understanding that everyone's taste buds are there own, can you tell me what (other than the accompanying beer) makes RichO's pizza top-tier for you?

Paplinos is very good, I actually like Wick's on occasion, and Boombozz is also very good. For me, however, the ONLY pizza I'd consider destination-worthy is the NABC Public House/Richos.

I love NABC and am entirely happy to enjoy a pizza while I'm over there. But that said, their pizza's always been middle-of-the-road for me. Not meant argumentatively, and in respectful understanding that everyone's taste buds are there own, can you tell me what (other than the accompanying beer) makes RichO's pizza top-tier for you?

I've never had anything but the upside down pizza, but I truly find it remarkable. I will concede that the atmosphere (we always seek out the red room) and the beer play a big role, but I'm really a huge fan of the upside down. The sauce and the crispy crust make it top tier to me. Throw in what I consider to be the best beer cheese I've ever tasted, and NABC makes me a happy man.

That being said, I do live in the Highlands, so Boombozz, Papalino's, and Wicks are not exactly destinations for me, but I feel confident that if, for example, Papalino's was located in Southern Indiana or outside the Watterson, I probably wouldn't make the trip there as much as I do for NABC. Again, this probably has to do with atmosphere as much as anything. Speaking purely of pizza, I'd rate NABC my #1a and Papalino's my #1b, with Boombozz at #2, Clifton's and Za's tying at #3, and Wicks and Spinelli's bringing up the rear, depending on my mood.

Not meant argumentatively, and in respectful understanding that everyone's taste buds are there own, can you tell me what (other than the accompanying beer) makes RichO's pizza top-tier for you?

It's real good, just kidding. For me it is the crust, it is great flavor and the perfect amount of crispiness/chewiness. We get the same "whacked out" pizza every time. Artichokes, Pepperoni, Roasted Garlic, Sun dried Tomato, w/ bbq sauce. One to many pints of Hoptimus inspired these toppings, but they work, even without the beer.

[Robin Garr]

I've never had anything but the upside down pizza, but I truly find it remarkable.

Thanks, Brad (and Justin, too). I'm certainly not ragging on RichO's - I've consumed more than a few pizzas with NABC beer over there. It always struck me as good but typical Louisville-style pizza, and I'm a Neapolitan-NYC pizza kind of guy. But hey! This gives me good reason to go check it out again, doesn't it?

Za's has always been my favorite. BUT... I did recently have Luigi's Eggplant Delight Roll (stuffed pizza kinda like a calzone) that knocked me out it was so good. I don't really do pizza much, but Steve P. recently told me that Za's was he and his bride's fave, so that tells me I have license to opine.

And Steve, you didn't think that was good smack talkin'? I did. Fellow food proprietors in Louisville are usually much more hushed than they were in this article. I thought it was funny! Especially when it got to Allen and his bit about pork. And then didn't he flex his forearm muscle or something (but to preserve the integrity of it, it was not seemingly directed at his neighbors and he was not studded in Dolce and Gabana)? I'm so happy for their success, not a lot of people hit ground running so strong.

In the Highlands, my opinion is...

1. Papalino's
2. Boombozz
3. Bearno's
4. ZA's
5. Impellizeri's
6. Spinelli's
7. Wick's

Spinelli's used to be higher but the quality has gone downhill in recent years. Papalino's is head and shoulders above everyone IMO. And I haven't tried Pizza Roma yet.