Thinking about moving to Oregon

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Zombiestare

I've never had Chicago Style pizza, so I can't compare, but I have been all around the west coast, and the best pizza I've ever had is from Pizza Mondo in Bend. Those people know what they're doing.

Chicago style pizza is what people used to refer to as Sicilian because the particular way of making it comes from chefs of Scilian origin. I don't know if these are the only differences but here is how it is made and differs from other pizza.

The crust is thick and sometimes "buttery." The pizzas are put together with the tomato sauce on top of the cheese whereas most other pizza it's the cheese (mozzarella) on top of the sauce. There is a lot of oregano in the spices. Many pizza makers have their own special spice secrets and olive oil is used in the crust and on the topping. If sausage is called for most authentic pizza places make their own. It's kind of on the "sweet" side.

If you are interested in trying some Chicago style pizza, you can mail order one from Lou Malanoti's in the Chicago area. Or GOOGLE Chicago style pizza recipes on the Internet and you will find the recipes are very simple. I think the trick is the brick oven in which they are commercially cooked that really makes them what they are.

I have heard rumor that there is a guy who sells authentic Chicago style pizza at the farmers market on the Park Blocks on Wednesdays. I haven't checked it out.

I will not say it is better than any other pizza because there are all different flavors. But for me Chicago Style pizza is my absolute preference. I am pretty open to pizza but don't you dare talk to me about chicken or pineapple as toppings.

[OregonYeti]

Seems that on the east coast it's about the pizza and on the west coast it's about the toppings.

Out west you could put lobster or whatever on the pizza, and people are like "yeah, lobster". Or smoked gouda and marinated artichokes or whatever. In NJ the pizza won't make it unless the crust, cheese and sauce are great. No extra cheese is needed.

Give me a mom-and-pop shop NJ pizza with pepperoni and shrooms. Or skip the pepperoni and shrooms and there's still nothing better. When in Moorestown, try Passariello Pavilion.

[OregonYeti]

Okay, there's more to life than pizza. Not much, though There's also bagels, hoagies, bluefish and the shore. Here there's mountains, lakes, slower-paced life and no sales tax. There's being able to catch salmon in an urban area (Eugene), and lots of wilderness when you want some.