It is easy to see why pizza is a staple in the average college student’s diet. It’s cheap, it comes to you pretty much at all hours of the night, and with an endless array of topping combinations, it’s adaptable. And the first lesson you learn in college is how to adapt.
On average, every Americans eats around 23 lbs of pizza every year—350 slices every second as a nation, according to Packaged Facts.
At Wittenberg, the constant presence of a Dominos light-up sign on top of a speeding car makes it a safe bet that a bulk of those 23 lbs are arriving in a Domino’s box. And with their student prices and new seasoned crust, it’s a good deal.
However, when it comes to pizza in Springfield, Ohio, there are a handful of local pizzerias that are worth the extra couple dollars and the risk of trying something new.
We rated the top three competitors on individual factors such as cheese, sauce, etc. And awarded a final score on how well the ingredients come together to create the optimal pizza experience.
Here are our results. But don’t take our word for it. The next time you are considering a late night meal, try out one of these pizza joints. And if you’re feeling truly ambitious, try some new topping combinations on top.
Scale: Unimpressive (1) to Delicious (5)
Paddy's Pizza
Paddy’s Pizza from McMurray’s Overall Scores (How the Ingredients come together )
Sauce: 4
Crust: 2
Cheese: 4
Grease Factor: One Napkin
Overall Scores (How the Ingredients come together ): 5
Station 1
Station
Sauce: 2
Crust: 4.5
Cheese: 2.5
Grease Factor: Four Napkins
Overall Scores (How the Ingredients come together ): 3.5
Cousin Vinny’s
Cousin Vinny’s
Sauce: 1.5
Crust: 3
Cheese: 2
Grease Factor: Two Napkins
Overall Scores (How the Ingredients come together ): 2.5
Honorable Mention: The Most for Your Money
Quotes on which pizza is best:
“Station’s veggie pizza is to die for. However, Mc’s CBR pizza (chicken bacon ranch) takes the cake.”
–Courtney Ross ’11
“I like the thin crust pizza and the way McMurray’s cuts the pieces so small.”
-Conor Riley 2013
“The worst thing about McMurray’s pizza is that once you get it, everybody wants a piece.”
-Katherine Ritzi 2013
“I got Cousin Vinny’s once and it was so cold, it tasted like it had been thrown in the snow!”
-Tiana Gilbert 2014
“[Mcmurray’s] ranch sauce on the chicken bacon ranch pizza is really good!”
-Muriel Weinstein 2014
“McMurray’s barbecue chicken pizza is awesome!!”
-Jordan Mungovan 2013
What’s your favorite topping combination?
Banana peppers and maraschino cherries
“It sounds nasty, but I swear it’s not.”
-Rebecca Price ’13
Black olives and pepperoni
-Leslie Winters ’13
Margherita pizza: tomatos, basil, and fresh mozzarella
-Cat Kuerbitz ‘12
“I’m a traditional veggie lovers kind of girl. The more veggies the better.”
-Christa Snyder ‘11
Other combinations worth a try:
They don’t sell these combinations everywhere, but don’t be afraid to make your own. Buying all of the ingredients can get pricey, so look for the best deals. Pillsbury sells dough out of a can and flatbread can also be substituted for a healthier option—just put it in the oven for a few minutes with some olive oil to crisp the crust before you add the toppings.
Loaded Potato Pizza: diced potatoes, bacon, and cheddar jack cheese. Try using ranch dressing or sour cream for the sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Try adding some bits of celery on top.
Macaroni and Cheese Pizza: This is one that’s better if you order out, but definitely choose Velveeta over Kraft if you’re going to make it yourself.
Chili Dog Pizza: Hot mustard sauce, chili, onions, cheddar cheese, and hot dogs
Breakfast Pizza: Scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, bacon: the alternative to the breakfast sandwich
Individual Reviews:
Cousin Vinny’s
Allie Greiwe
Cousin Vinny’s Pizza is located on National Road (Adjacent to Walmart in The Eastside Square):
Newly opened Cousin Vinny’s Pizza gives Witt students the cheap prices they are looking for without the cheap flavor. Perfect for those late-night weekend cravings, they offer free delivery and late hours, open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The menu consists of gourmet pizzas, specialty pizzas, create-your-own pizzas, salads and sides, and offers everyday specials. Cousin V’s typical cheese pizza has a fluffy crust, barely any sauce, and is coated with a thick layer of cheese under one’s chosen topping(s). One can order Cousin V’s by phone at (937) 323 – 1700 or on the web at www.cousinvinnyspizza.com.
Station 1
Meagan Steed
Station 1, located on Fountain Avenue:
Found just off campus, Station 1, is the place to be for students over the age of 21 on a typical Friday or Saturday night. Whether it is the fun atmosphere, great music, or the wide selection of food options, students keep coming back to Station 1 for more. Station 1 is known for their pizza and on a typical weekend night they serve 25-50 Wittenberg students. Their specialty pizzas include a Buffalo Chicken, a Barbeque Chicken and a BLT pizza. For the classic style pizza, they use a basic tomato sauce and they top it off with a thick layer of cheese and an adequate amount of toppings. Station 1 not only serves pizza, but they also have a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and subs. The downside is that they do not deliver, but their food service hours begin at Monday- Saturday, 11am to 9pm and Sunday from noon until 9 pm. The phone number for Station 1 is (937) 324-3354.
Paddy’s Pizza
Jessica Batanian
Paddy’s Pizza, located in McMurray’s Bar:
Opened a little over a year ago, Paddy’s Pizza inside McMurray’s Bar has become a household name on Wittenberg’s campus. Even though it is competing with corporate pizza companies like Dominoes and Papa John’s, Paddy’s Pizza certainly does not lose customers and it maintains a steady stream of orders and deliveries every week; averaging about 20 to 30 deliveries on Fridays between the dinner hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Considered their most impressive seller, the chicken bacon ranch pizza keeps Paddy’s Pizza customers coming back for more. However, for pizza lovers who enjoy the classics, Paddy’s offers the traditional cheese and pepperoni with their own original flavors. Beginning with thin crust, their sweet sauce is generously spread and then topped with a thick layer of creamy cheese. Then the pizza is covered with pepperoni, or the chosen topping, and is finally sprinkled with an Italian herb to create its’ distinct flavor. The phone number for Paddy’s Pizza is (937) 323-7900.
(Catie Stipe / s12.cstipe@wittenberg.edu)
