Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

46° Evanston, IL
Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

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NU’s pizza connoisseurs say speed is good, quality grand

Carmen’s, Giordano’s, Papa John’s, Papa Romeo’s, Philly’s Best, Domino’s, Gino’s East – the list goes on. All fuel midnight binges, midterm study sessions and beer-drinking ventures.

But more importantly they are major distributors of a food type that transcends taste bud perceptions and sensual bounds – they are makers of that tradition of timeless collegiate delicacy we call pizza.

And what better place for a free market pizza economy to take effect than Evanston, home to thousands of college students who, as constituent groups of different pizza distributors, set the stage for a classic demonstration of the laws of supply and demand.

Needless to say, competition is inevitable, and the market must rely on Northwestern student interests to be what economists call the “invisible hand,” the guide to a successful pizza industry.

So what do NU’s pizza connoisseurs eat when they want fast, reliable service? At first glance, Papa John’s Pizza, 1743 Benson Ave., seemed to be the overwhelming favorite.

“Papa John’s always has the fastest service,” said Wenhao Liu, a Weinberg freshman.

Others, such as Shannon Mok, stick with Papa John’s service out of habit.

“I only order from Papa John’s, because I know their number by heart,” said Mok, a Weinberg junior.

But some students felt regulars such as Mok were responsible for slowing down service at Papa John’s, so they turn to other pizzerias to get their essential doses.

“I like ordering from Domino’s, 1022 Waukegan Rd., because they have a lot of coupons,” said Erin Gulden, a Medill freshman. “And also they have faster service because they don’t get as much business as Papa John’s.”

Papa John’s and Domino’s might take pride in their fast service, but pizza buffs cite quite a different set of choices when hunting for Evanston’s best pizza.

“Carmen’s Pizza is the most delicious partly because they have a lot of varieties of pizza like the time they had free pizza,” said Jeanette Richelson , a Weinberg freshman.

Carmen’s, 1012 Church St., recognizes that pizza variety is an attraction. Workers cited stuffed spinach as one of the most popular, along with Hawaiian pizza, which is topped with pineapple and Canadian bacon.

Workers also said part of Carmen’s success is being the only local pizzeria to their knowledge with an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet.

Weinberg freshman Justin Bell offered Philly’s Best, 815 Emerson St., as a great choice when looking for a quality pizza.

“It’s greasy and floppy, and that just reminds me of the pizza I had back home,” Bell said.

Known as “Chicago’s original deep dish,” Gino’s East also was offered as a choice pick.

Gino’s, 2516 Green Bay Rd., is unique because it’s the only local pizzeria to offer a corn bread crust.

But when pizza gurus want a top of the line selection, Giordano’s, 500 Davis St., was clearly the most popular choice.

“If I’m really in the mood for going out for pizza I go to Giordano’s, because it’s Chicago’s best,” said Tracie Gibler, a Weinberg junior. “It’s just a great eating-out experience.”

For a student population as diverse as NU, Evanston’s eclectic range of pizza sources come in handy. No one pizza source holds the NU constituency, making the chance for any monopoly impossible.

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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
NU’s pizza connoisseurs say speed is good, quality grand