Mike and Ploy

One of the first lessons I learned when moving away from home was how much food actually costs.  Gone was the unlimited supply of frozen burritos and chimichangas that were always stocked in my parent’s fridge.  No more stacked sandwiches with lunch meat and cheese.  Piles of fruit were no more.  Canned soups stayed canned on the shelves.  Those things cost money!  In came ramen, mac and cheese, and whatever was on sale.  10 for 10 deals were jumped on and chips were rationed.  And going out to eat was a no-no.

Imagine my surprise with our go-to meal these days.  Quick, what’s a word with two z’s in it?  It’s a food…  tomato sauce… cheese… and whatever toppings you want.  Get it yet?  …MMmmmmm… Pizza!

Now Pizza’s usually not considered cheap either.  If you go with the #1 nationwide chain, a Round Table will set you back like $17 for a large.  Lots of toppings, but kinda thin, and the crust goes weird when cold.  There’s Pizza Hut, pioneers of cheese in the crust at $5 for a medium, but it’s kinda thin on the toppings.  Dominoes has the rep of tasting like cardboard, but is trying to change their rep with the “fresh ingredients” add.  We tried it recently, and it was ok.  I generally prefer smaller, local makers.  They’re usually pretty good, but sometimes pricey too, and maybe wet or greasy.  Comes with the territory of all the toppings they pile on.  Papa Murphy’s take and bake was REALLY good for taking home and baking.  Too bad the nearest one is now in Pacifica.

But then we found Papa Johns.  They didn’t exist here until a few months ago, but boy.  $10 for a large…  and that’s a BIG large, not the undersized ones of other places.  They even have deals where you can get specials for $12, or XL for $12.  Check the website for changing deals all the time.   Throw in a frequent buyer program that gives you a free pizza, and smart phone apps for instant purchase pickups on the way home, and there’s a winner.  My only complains that toppings aren’t “piled on” but it’s good.  Even gives  you a butter and garlic dipping sauce for free.

I wonder how they make money…  One of my meters is how much it costs per meal.  A really cheap price is under $3 per meal, while a good price is $5 (eating out or otherwise).  Take tonight’s meal.  It was $16 for an XL pizza, and we’ll get 4 to 5 meals for it.  That’s like $3 to $4 per meal – already a great deal.  BUT… if you order an XL they throw in a free box of It’s It’s bars.  That’s right.  3 ice cream treats – for free.   Everytime.  Those are worth like $1 each!!  Mmmm, pizza and ice cream.

I dunno how they do it.  I guess I don’t really care.  As long as they pay their hard working college kids enough money, I totally support them.  My waistline does too.