Submitted by WalrusWalrus t3_120juad in pittsburgh
Comments
Accomplished-Pen4934 t1_jdhodj7 wrote
Iron born is okay - not sure I’d consider it a contender for global pizza champion tho
WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdhrq37 wrote
They've won in the past if you can believe it. There's an artistry to the competition. Judges are looking for originality, unique takes on pizza, execution. What the everyday person might consider "good" might be different than what the judges are looking for.
[deleted] t1_jdhw85y wrote
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ShatteredAvenger t1_jdhwsxi wrote
I think what's hard to judge in food competitions like this is consistency- I won't say it's easy to win a competition because that's wildly inaccurate, but I do think it's easier to put your best foot forward in a contest than it is day to day over and over.
If you're looking to take home a prize, you're gonna sweat the details a lot more than when you're just cranking out pie after pie on a saturday night. I've had incredible pies from Fiori's and I've had mediocre underbaked ones from them as well. But I keep going back because the overall hitrate is good.
Meanwhile Caliente is happy to brag about their world championship pizza– which was a pretty bizarre fancy pie that I'm not sure you can even consistently buy– but I tend to avoid buying from there because the everyday pie is just average at best.
WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdhxds6 wrote
This is totally spot on. I'm less interested in the shops that create a pizza that can't be replicated at their shop on a daily basis. If you can't serve up your championship winning pizza at your shop, why bother? Seems to dilute the award.
WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdhxis8 wrote
It's tough! There's competitors from across the country and the judging is incredibly harsh. It's a serious affair, getting in the top three of any category is a big deal.
TheTunnelMonster t1_jdi46ha wrote
I hope it’s not the same competition that crowned Caliente a “world champion.”
ShatteredAvenger t1_jdi5asn wrote
Exactly! Santoro's Pizza over in castle shannon has a pretty wild pie they call The Blue Pig that is most definitely an original pie, closer in spirit to what Caliente won with than what they actually sell.
I've got no problem with specialty pies, but Caliente leans waaaay too hard on that award when in reality they sell a pretty middling experience with every other pie.
But hey, there's really no rules in advertising these days.
WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdia63s wrote
It totally is! What Caliente presented at the competition was decadent and way different than their day-to-day pizza. Do they have potential to make great pizza? Seems that way. Is it executed that way in their stores? Doesn't sound like it.
cam412 t1_jdiaj8x wrote
GLOBAL PIZZA CHAMPIONSHIPS
RadicalAns t1_jdicgxw wrote
They climbing the Pizza Tower
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_jdij3vh wrote
Vincent's Pizza Park produces pizza superior to Caliente's in every way.
jsdjsdjsd t1_jdio2x1 wrote
Caliente is so bad in every way
jsdjsdjsd t1_jdio5f3 wrote
Iron Born is fire
Accomplished-Pen4934 t1_jdiolbn wrote
I mean, yeah it’s okay. Not a bad pie but not the best pie in Pittsburgh, far cry from global pizza champion imo
jsdjsdjsd t1_jdit8eu wrote
Can we just admit that the idea of a global champion of pizza is completely ridiculous tho
Accomplished-Pen4934 t1_jditav6 wrote
100% agreed
jsdjsdjsd t1_jdite6d wrote
I know that my comment is a cop out but I like Mineos a lot as well as Iron Born and also Pizza King in Munhall. All pizza. All different. All very nice in their own way.
Guentzelvania t1_jdiwowo wrote
I disagree. The grandma ruffa pizza I get from their allison park location is delightful
skumps814 t1_jdiwpvb wrote
Caliente is hot trash and I can’t believe so many people like it
jsdjsdjsd t1_jdiwuwv wrote
I’ve only been to Bloomfield location and every time I went there it was bad pizza and like pulling teeth to find someone to pour me a beer
ScrumGuz t1_jdj05gz wrote
That was a good read, thank you for sharing
thecrowfly t1_jdj34t6 wrote
The secret to Iron Born is eating it immediately.
Mekkakat t1_jdj7uyc wrote
Iron Born is glorified Little Caesars $5 Lunch Combo box for 5 times the price.
I've never understood the allure whatsoever. Absolutely mediocre at best.
jsdjsdjsd t1_jdj8fsv wrote
I eat it next day cold and its still 🔥🔥🔥
[deleted] t1_jdjarpt wrote
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duranko1332 t1_jdje3z2 wrote
Outdated take for sure, they swapped out everyone & it's a lot better now a days pizza & bar wise.
[deleted] t1_jdjjo8z wrote
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bertrola t1_jdjnqgu wrote
Agree. I fell for the hype and wasted a 45 min trip to try it.
doodle_day_lewis t1_jdjovbd wrote
We’ve had nothing but success with their Monroeville location. We rotate through several of their specialty pizzas including the Grandma Honey.
SuperRocketRumble t1_jdjs4j3 wrote
I disagree as well. Caliente is better than I like to admit. It’s not mind blowing but it’s not terrible. Its decent pizza. Not on par with the best stuff in the city but well above the average Pgh pizza joint.
SuperRocketRumble t1_jdjse3v wrote
I think the best pizza shops in the city don’t actually need to participate in this. But thanks for sharing
MaynardWaltrip t1_jdkbdi1 wrote
When I moved to Pittsburgh several years ago I fell for the Caliente advertising and went out and got it. Never went back.
MaynardWaltrip t1_jdkbnty wrote
Nobody out pizzas the Hut.
Hduebskfiebchek t1_jdkpn7p wrote
The Costco sauce spreader is flying first class to the competition.
angrygnomes58 t1_jdkq1ck wrote
Agree. Went to the one on Liberty when I worked at WPH. One of the worst pizzas I’ve ever had.
TheTunnelMonster t1_jdkraqz wrote
I mean I haven’t tasted their winning competition pizza, but it seems extremely disingenuous for them to make that claim in advertisements if they are serving something completely different.
TerribleBase666 t1_jdktrby wrote
Caliente- is not good pizza- the World Championship is a joke because they serve a less than memorable pie- Bloomfield and Aspinwall both bad. I will psss.
WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdmfh59 wrote
Pass on going to Vegas for the expo?
WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdmfoq3 wrote
Thanks for taking the time to read it! It's been fun writing about the local pizza community!
smog126 t1_jdna07z wrote
Great article. The author really knows how to write about zah’ and make it engaging made me want to go now lol
smog126 t1_jdna4hm wrote
Pizza Expo. Some call it the Super Bowl of the pizza industry. Mecca. It’s the event where pizza warriors from across the globe come to both learn and compete.
Who comes up with this stuff lol well done. Pizza warriors. I’m going to use that now
_SystemEngineer_ t1_jdnmcy4 wrote
I moved here from New York and most of the pizza is horrible, an amazing feat given the sheer ratio of pizza joints to people in this city.
I should make a website and review the edible pizza here without marketing BS.
[deleted] t1_jdnrwaj wrote
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WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdt3vlu wrote
If "most of the pizza is horrible" you are not trying many pizza places. Download a free digital version of my pizza guidebook to help you find some good pizza in the city https://gumroad.com/l/EVGL.
Also check out my website for even more thoughts https://pizzawalkwithme.com
WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdt40u6 wrote
Thanks! I've been writing about pizza for a long time. Guess I find it inspirational. Lots more pizza writing on my website https://pizzawalkwithme.com
[deleted] t1_jdv2jzx wrote
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WalrusWalrus OP t1_jdhlypu wrote
Hey there - it's me, your local pizza journalist. Talked to a lot of pizza makers for this, so if you have any follow up questions let me know. I think we're gonna see some new champions from the bunch this year. Lots of interesting, stellar pizzas in the mix.
Pizza ya later!