Pizza is practically impossible to screw up. I was raised on the principle that even a bad pie is still good, and I still swear by it. That said, I do have preferences. While I’ll die on the hill that Emmett’s on Grove, Chrissy’s, and Ceres in New York City round out my personal top three, I’m not above ordering from a chain either. They’re notoriously reliable and their own brand of nostalgic.
So I decided to run an official taste test to find the best pizza chain, gathering the entire Delish office together in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (bread, cheese, and sauce).
We zeroed in on top standbys: Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, Little Caesars, Sbarro, and Jet’s. Everyone rated both pepperoni and cheese slices, and scored accordingly. Then I tallied everything up for the final ranking. As for the results? They weren’t what I expected…
Here are the best chain pizzas, ranked.
6. Little Caesars
It’s cheap, it’s fast, it’s “Pizza! Pizza!” There were a few fans of the Hot-N-Ready chain—one person said the crust “has a really nice crunch that none of the others have”—but not quite enough to tap into the top five.
5. Sbarro
In case you missed the memo, the mall food court staple also delivers—at least in New York. The pizza arrived hot and filled with a sense of nostalgia. While the slices weren’t quite as gigantic as I remember (probably because the last time I had them I was a child with hands half the size), the sauce was pleasantly sweeter, and the crust was pretty crisp. One taster described it as “really good [with] delicious sauce (not too much) and cheese.” They added that it’s “greasy but somehow works.”
4. Jet’s
Known for its Detroit-style pizza (which I love), Jet’s also does a New York thin-crust option. To keep everything consistent, we ordered that—never mind that it arrived looking completely disheveled from transit. Some participants gushed over this one, while others were somewhat underwhelmed. Overall, the consensus landed in the middle.
3. Pizza Hut
The Pizza Hut fans showed up for this one (or maybe Pizza Hut just really showed out). While the doughy crust wasn’t for everyone (one person said they had to “be in the mood” for it), it impressed others. “Tastes like focaccia,” one Delish staffer said of the crust, while others described it as “light and fluffy” with a “good flavor” and “sweet sauce.”
Birthday parties, classroom celebrations…Pizza Hut was that girl, and apparently still is.
2. Domino’s
Domino’s had some vocal fans in the office—and for good reason. The crust is packed with flavor, the cheese tasted fresh, and the balance between doughy and crispy won over the crowd.
“Domino’s has always been my go-to takeout pizza,” one taster said. Another said the crust “always hits the spot,” with another complimenting its garlicky punch. A separate taster went as far as to describe the thin crust as “god’s gift.” Bold, but seemingly deserved given its ranking.
1. Papa John’s
And your winner is…Papa John’s! While Domino’s came close, Papa John’s took the crown with its presentation, flavor, and freshness. I mean, the pepperonis and garlic sauce gave them an edge alone. You don’t even have to ask for them!
“Very cheesy, good flavor,” one fan said of a John’s slice. “I think Papa John’s is the perfect take-out pizza—the peppers, the garlic sauce, the crust.” While Domino’s garlicky, herby crust has its place, Papa John’s simple, bready crust has a loyal following.
One staffer summed it up perfectly: “The best pizza chain ever.” Agreed!
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