Escape from NY Pizza

I have a strange relationship with pizza.  I grew up eating it regularly - one night a week when my mom worked nights, my father made it for us (using packaged crust mix, jarred sauce, and basic cheese/ toppings, but it was relatively homemade).  All through ski season I enjoyed the Ellio's pizza at the snack bar at my local ski area.  My family went to Papa Gino's a fair amount when it existed in town, followed by a Little Ceasar's phase after that.  Every birthday party had pizza from somewhere local.  In college, there was one place that delivered, and that was monster slices.  In grad school, I often made bagel or english muffin pizzas for myself.  Etc.

When I moved to SF, I got exposed to deep dish (and was in love with Little Star) and fancier California thin crust (Delfina!). 

And then I basically stopped eating pizza.  For years.  Like, 15 years probably.  Whenever I visited my family, they still did weekly pizza night.  I never joined in.  And then covid happened, and I guess my eating habits did again too.  I now do actually eat pizza, at least once a month.

All the Pizza.

In the spirit of trying all the pizza these days, I finally tried pizza from Escape From NY Pizza, a small chain in San Francisco.  Their pizza has never looked particularly good to me, but its relatively cheap, has delivery, and is frequently ordered at events.

I've tried their pizza a few times.  Generally, it is as blah as it looks, although others seem to enjoy it.  In all my trials, I found only one variety that I ever liked.

Gluten-Free.

This is a gluten-free pie, with a thinner crust than the regular, that is even worse.  It reminds me of everything you'd imagine about bad gluten-free items, basically, way too crispy, and tastes as bland as can be.  Like eating cardboard.

Cheesy Garlic Shrooms.

"Olive Oil Garlic Base, Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Mushrooms, Mozzarella and Feta."

I really liked some aspects of this pizza.  It surprised me.

What I didn't care for was the crust, just a boring chewy style.  Meh.

But I really liked the toppings - great garlic flavor, and the cheese mix was really flavorful and had an amazing cheese pull.  I really, really liked the toppings, I just wanted the served on something other than that bo-ring crust.

****+ toppings even, but *+ crust, ***+ overall.  I'd gladly have those toppings again.

Great Escape.

"Red Sauce, Mozzarella, Pepperoni, Mushrooms and Onions."

Another event with Escape from NY Pizza, so I tried it again, a classic style this time.

Meh.  Crust was boring chewy/soft style.  Red sauce was kinda too sweet, and there was lots of it. Generic mozzarella, and lots of it.  Generic pepperoni.  Mediocre mushrooms.  I did like the slightly sweet red onions.  

Just not my kind of pizza.  I think my parents would like this style, and many others enjoyed it, it just isn't for me.  *.