While local pizza places often boast the best pies, it’s essential to explore what the big chains offer. Today, we delve into a “Chain Reaction” review, focusing on a head-to-head comparison of thin crust pizzas from Papa Johns and Dominos.
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In the pizza landscape, thin crust versions from major chains are unique, somewhat resembling bar pies but distinct in their own right. Initially, this review aimed to include thin crust pizzas from all four largest chains—Little Caesars, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, and Dominos. However, challenges arose in sourcing thin crust options from Pizza Hut and Little Caesars in the Manhattan area, narrowing our focus to a Papa Johns Vs Dominos comparison.
After facing availability issues with Pizza Hut and Little Caesars’ thin crust offerings, this taste test directly compares thin crust pizzas from Dominos and Papa Johns to determine which chain offers the superior option. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison across key components: sauce, cheese, and crust.
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The Sauce
Domino’s: Domino’s “Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce” avoids excessive sweetness, a common pitfall in chain pizza sauces. While lacking fresh notes, it presents a profile dominated by dried herbs and a subtle spice. It’s a familiar, comforting taste, reminiscent of easy, casual pizza experiences.
Papa John’s: In stark contrast, Papa John’s sauce is notably sweet. The sweetness is almost candy-like, with a distinct flavor identified as similar to cheap red wine vinegar. This sweetness is overpowering and becomes a defining, and potentially divisive, characteristic of the pizza.
Advantage: Domino’s – For those preferring a less sweet and more savory pizza sauce, Domino’s is the clear winner in this round of Papa Johns vs Dominos.
The Cheese
Domino’s: The cheese on the Domino’s pizza offered a decent, tangy flavor profile, with a taste that resembled real mozzarella. However, the baking process resulted in a slightly overcooked cheese. It became somewhat leathery and overly browned, losing the desired creamy and milky texture.
Papa John’s: Papa John’s cheese, while less tangy and flavorful than Domino’s, was cooked to a more preferable consistency. Papa John’s is also generous with cheese, applying a layer almost as thick as the crust itself. When hot, this translates to a gooey, cheesy experience. However, upon cooling even slightly, the cheese tends to congeal into a rubbery texture.
Advantage: Papa John’s – Despite not having the same level of flavor, Papa John’s cheese is better cooked and provides a gooier experience when hot, giving them the edge in the cheese comparison between Papa Johns and Dominos.
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The Crust
Domino’s: Domino’s thin crust lives up to its name, achieving an ultra-thin profile, comparable to the thinness of matzoh. Unconventionally for a “thin crust,” it leans towards a flaky rather than bread-like texture. It breaks into tasty shards and is cut into squares, perfect for sharing. Despite its thinness, each slice remains sufficiently crisp to hold its toppings.
Papa John’s: The Papa John’s thin crust is quite similar to Domino’s, though not quite as extremely thin or crispy. It retains a minimal doughy chew at its center, while the base is nicely browned and crisp.
Advantage: Papa John’s – While both are commendable, Papa John’s crust offers a slightly more satisfying texture with a hint of chewiness, securing its win in the crust category of this Papa Johns versus Dominos face-off.
The Verdict?
Despite Papa John’s advantages in crust and cheese, Domino’s emerges as the overall winner in this thin crust pizza comparison. The overwhelmingly sweet sauce of Papa John’s significantly detracts from the overall enjoyment. While Papa John’s pizza might feel more substantial due to the cheese and crust, Domino’s simply tastes better, achieving a more balanced flavor profile. Domino’s thin crust pizza is easy to consume, making it suitable for casual occasions. In contrast, the sweetness and unusual flavors in Papa John’s pizza can become tiring quickly.
For a truly superior pizza experience, consider making your own thin crust bar-style pizza at home. However, when choosing between Papa Johns vs Dominos for thin crust delivery, Domino’s is the recommended choice for a more palatable and enjoyable pizza.
