I re-did the pepperoni pizza list with a “value” ranking. (Ranked list and details in the comments)

by dave_dave_dave_steve

23 Comments

  1. dave_dave_dave_steve

    I re-did some stuff.

    Again, it’s not cute. If you’re a data/graphics person, DM and I can send over the file. Pre-emptive *fuck off* to BlogTO.

    Notes on methodology.

    In an extremely problematic attempt to calculate the “value/sq in” I incorporated each pizzeria’s Google rating into the score. I know, I know. But it’s the only data I have that is *sort of* useful in that way. For pizzerias with several locations, like NoB or Maker, I took their average rating. For the two big chains I included, I averaged the ratings of the 5 closest stores to me.

    I wasn’t sure how I should go about creating the formula for the “value/sq in” cells. So I asked a robot. (Side note: if that tech existed in school I *totally* would have used it to cheat). The first versions of the formula skewed *heavily* toward the cheaper spots and punished the pricier spots. Like, Dominos was the best value (ew). So I tinkered a little and eventually arrived at something which is sort of okay overall. The biggest issue, in my view, is that this formula punishes objectively good pizzerias with disproportionately low Google scores, like Acute and especially Lambretta (who gets 1-star bombed by bag-less Uber drivers). I’d argue that Acute is one of the better value spots in the city. But whaddayagunnado.

    Once again, this is not an exhaustive list. (EDIT: forgot and added Beast to the text list below. Oops. Sry)

    A caveat for Junior’s and Cici’s: I couldn’t find any mention of their specific diameter, so I used the overall average diameter.

    I also overlooked Lorenzo’s the first time around. When I looked at their prices/rating I figured they’d rightfully be number one. The data bears that out.

    (Disclaimer: not a math person. There could be typos and pizzeria omissions.)

    The image file is the raw data. I’m not smart enough to figure out how to sort by numbers in Google sheets. Here’s the robot’s summary from “best” value to “worst”:

    Lorenzo’s — 5.46

    gram’s — 5.44

    Revolver — 5.31

    Mark’s — 5.28

    **Frank Ranalli’s — 5.27** – typo with Frank’s! Fixed!

    Cici’s — 5.25

    Fresca — 5.25

    Junior’s — 5.24

    Mac’s — 5.21

    Sugo — 5.20

    Bello — 5.20

    Liberty Pizza — 5.19

    Gracie’s — 5.19

    One Night Only — 5.17

    Badiali — 5.15

    Pizzeria Di Mario — 5.04

    Acute — 5.04

    North of Brooklyn — 5.01

    Nice Slice — 4.98

    Fourth Man — 4.97

    Pizza Nostra — 4.96

    King Slice — 4.95

    Beast — 4.91

    Maker — 4.78

    Lambretta — 4.66

    Pizza Pizza — 4.48

    Domino’s — 4.31

  2. nervousTO

    Would you be open to updating to include chains like Pizza Nova, Pizzaville, Pizza Hut, Pizzaiolo, Cosmic Pizza, etc? I’m so curious to compare

  3. AshliepShuqirvut

    Thanks man, now I don’t have to figure out where to eat pizza

    You’re doing God’s work

  4. VariousOperation166

    First of all, full respect for putting in the work.

    This is a tough one as ingredients are different in each place, and the style of pizza is vastly different from one spot to another. Also, individual preference is deeply personal, and there is no metric for that.

    I work with a couple of guys who get Domino’s Pizza regularly and talk smack about Pizza Pizza… they are both very basic to me. Of the chains, I prefer Pizziola, then Pizza Nova (for pizza, but Pizza Nova 100% for a nice veal sandwich…)

    Beyond that, I like Descendents and North of Brooklyn, but still – very different pies

    I’m a Cabbagetown guy now, so I’ll give a shout out to Salt & Tobacco again, but I’m biased as I can walk there in 3 minutes

  5. AYPEETWO

    Wow pizza pizza made it on the list and not Nova..

  6. haoareyoudoing

    Great initiative! I’d change Google Rating to a decimalized composite score out of ten (ex. Badiali would be 0.9400). I’d also recommend adding a column with your blind score as well as you eat your way through!

    For what it’s worth, I think we have a great pizza scene here, but nothing tops 0.9100 for me. Badiali is king of the hill, then I’ve got Bar Sugo and North of Brooklyn. I see big bifurcations in my ratings when it comes to cult favourites like Gram’s and Fresca. They’re fine slices, but no where near 9.8 or 9.2 out of 10 for me.

  7. FatVirginalRedit_Mod

    Fresca killin it.

    Fresca is also my favourite soda!

  8. sench314

    Forgot Costco : $12.99 for an 18″ pepperoni pizza.

  9. attaboy000

    Now sort it by that column 👍

    Ps great work on aggregating all this.

  10. Swamy_ji

    Should add Saints Smash Kitchen, solid pizzas

  11. jpcox001

    We go to Fresca so often because it’s down the street from the tattoo shop. We always get the XL margarita and it’s $19. Is the pepperoni actually cheaper?!

  12. rembrandt-mix

    Diameter should just be median not average

  13. tranceiver72

    I can’t take this list seriously without Pizza Gigi on there.

  14. Latter_Meet2044

    No Slow Hand, descendants or Defina?