I love the social media driven National Food days. They give us something to look forward to. They encourage us to go out and grab something good to eat. I also just really like having a reason to try new places.
For instance, today is #NationalHotDogDay. I’m not the biggest fan of hot dogs (more of a polish sausage guy) but I am always interested in experiencing something different. For years I’ve heard people rave about Superdawg in the Chicago area, so it being a “holiday” seemed as good an excuse as any to try it.
Let me tell you what…the hype is REAL at Superdawg.
Who decides these “National Food Days”? According to Food Timeline, there are 4 different sources that plan the National Food Calendar.
– The Federal Government, either by Presidential proclamation or the Department of Commerce
– Industry Associations
– Companies promoting their products
– Charities and Not-for-profit organizations
I know, right? Learn something new everyday.
So rather than waiting to see what advertisers and social media surprises us with next, why not take a look at the calendar and plan ahead for what’s to come.
July
July 24th
National Tequila Day
These National Holidays aren’t always just for food either. When it hits 5 o’clock (somewhere) tomorrow, find the nearest watering hole and have some fun.
Recommendation: If you can find it, Kilo Kai is where it’s at. Don’t even need a chaser.
August 19th
National Soft-Serve Ice Cream Day
Recommendation: Your nearest ballpark…Soft-serve is best in a baseball helmet.
August 19th
National ‘Bacon Lovers’ Day
If you love bacon, you know exactly where to find it. If you’re feeling adventurous, Little Caesar’s has a treat for you.
Recommendation: Any Brazilian Steakhouse will do the trick. Texas de Brazil even has a bowl of thick bacon pieces in their salad bar to take care of you.
Have your own recommendations? Let’s talk on Facebook or Twitter.
Even after the Ultimate American Character was retired on-air…
Nick Offerman isn’t going away any time soon.
It’s well known that Offerman is as interesting as his “Parks and Recreation” character. He is an accomplished wood craftsman who builds furniture and canoes at his Offerman Woodshop in East Los Angeles…while sometimes reading tweets from young female celebrities. He has released two semi-autobiographical books,Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals for Delicious Living in 2013 and Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America’s Gutsiest Troublemakers in May of 2015. Offerman also tours regularly with his wife of 12 years, Megan Mullally, performing comedy and music.
You can see Offerman as a philosophy professor dad who only wears robes in my favorite film of the year so far, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. You’ll also see him in the second installment of FX’s “Fargo“, premiering in September this year.
In the meantime, I recommend filling your void for more Ron Swanson with Offerman’s fantastic “Pizza Farm” PSA from Funny or Die…because “french fries are practically salads”.
A Friday night spent with Netflix, instead of at a bar, is becoming more and more socially acceptable…and I love it.
I also love a good beer and have been more conscientious about what I drink while watching TV. No, not by moderating my drinking or counting the calories, but by drinking a brew that fits well with what I’m viewing.
Here are some recommendations I have for beers to pair with your favorite shows, whether they are running live, in reruns, or waiting for you to binge watch on Netflix…These suggestions are based on themes, characters, settings, and the overall mood you get from watching the show.
If you have your own recommendations (You will. Everybody does.) feel free to Tweet them to @Mike_PiFF03.
The Office
“Gonna go home, get my beer on, get my Lost on. What are you doing later? You wanna hang out?” – Andy to Michael Scott
Ever since May 16th, 2013, The Office has served as a perfect pick-me-up for fans who need a Jim Halpert wink at the camera or a Michael Scott one-liner. If you think about it, The Office is almost like a great beer after work, in that sense. It helps you forget about work while ironically taking place in an office.
Based on location, my first thought was Yuengling. Scranton, PA is only an hour and a half from Pottsville, PA, where the Yuengling brewery is.
Lionshead Deluxe Pilsner from Lion Brewery is actually a very fitting choice. It’s a standard American Lager Crisp, which would make it refreshing after a long day at the office or even have at your desk (if you have one of those “cool boss” environments). And it’s only a 4.5% ABV, suitable for the binge watching occasions.
Parks and Recreation
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m about to endorse 10 beers into my mouth…because this has been an incredibly stressful day.” – Leslie Knope
Similar to The Office, Parks and Recreation is an excellent pick-me-up show. UnlikeThe Office, Parks is a bit more worldly than what happens at the workplace. Each character brings their own dynamic, especially when it comes to booze. From sage drinking advice from Ron Swanson to how NOT to consume alcohol, despite Tom Haverford’s best efforts….
The beer that consistently made “cameo” appearances throughout the series appropriately comes from Indiana. Upland Brewery has a number of brews on their list that seem to pair nicely like the Barrel Chested Barleywine and the Campside Session IPA. The Easy Chair Amber Ale seems like the best pair for sitting back and enjoying multiple episodes, given its 5.3% ABV and the fact it matches Andy Dwyer’s hair color.
Big Bang Theory
“The only thing I’ve learned in the last two hours is that American men love drinking beer, pee too often, and have trouble getting erections…I’m just saying, maybe if you people cut back on the beer, you could get out of the bathroom and satisfy your women without pharmaceutical help.” – Rajesh Koothrappali
Love it or hate it, Big Bang Theory is the highest rated comedy currently running. It is also an excellent outlet for geeks who enjoy snappy comebacks that involve Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and comic book references…and Kaley Cuoco. I have come up with a pair of beers that would have certainly helped early-series Raj find the confidence to talk to women.
Brewed specifically for Chicago’s Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Galaxy-Hero IPA from Revolution Brewing is described as a “raygun blast of Galaxy and Zythos hops into your mouth for a crisp, dry finish.” I can attest to this…Bazinga.
And speaking of Galaxy hops, the Galactic Double Pale Ale from Daisy Cutter pairs nicely and will help you get through the next time Leonard blows it with Penny.
Silicon Valley
“Did you just sip from an empty cup?…Why did you do that?” – Peter Gregory to Richard
I love Silicon Valley. It’s new, it’s original, and most importantly…it’s hilarious. And if you’ve worked for a startup and possibly in tech, you’re nodding your head A LOT…Silicon Valley is one episode away from wrapping up its 2nd season, so what drink works best for the finale?
One beer and one beer only comes to mind that would take care of you for a half hour of Mike Judge’s smart and tastefully crude humor.
Like “Pied Piper”, Not Your Father’s Root Beer beer from Small Town Brewery is innovative, it’s sweet, and it works fast with ABVs ranging from 10% to 19.5%. Perfect for a half hour episode and it’s up and coming, just like Pied Piper.
Game of Thrones
“Drinking and lust…No man can match me in these things.” – Tyrion Lannister
Game of Thrones is as complex and layered a show as you’ll find on television today. So many characters and storylines with moving pieces, you can’t help but theorize and contemplate what will happen next…
While it’s easy to go with any of Ommegang Brewery’s Game of Thrones themed brews (Iron Throne Blonde Ale, Fire and Blood Amber Ale, Three Eyed Raven Saison), which are all very good and fitting…I recommend another Ommegang brew.
The Three Philosophers Quadruple Ale has all the layers and flavors that fit Game of Thrones perfectly
The Walking Dead
“Your first drink ain’t gonna be no damn schnapps.” – Daryl to Beth
There really isn’t much time for having a drink during the zombie apocalypse. If we recall, booze can get people killed (Looking at you, Bob!). One thing I DON’T recommend doing is eating dinner while watching The Walking Dead. But while Rick Grimes and his people can’t enjoy a cold one, you certainly can.
A personal favorite of mine and extremely appropriate to the Walking Dead theme would be Zombie Dust from Three Floyds. Described on the brewery’s website as a “gushing undead Pale Ale that will be one’s only respite after the zombie apocalypse. Created with our marvelous friends in the comic industry.” An ABV of 6.2% also makes having a six pack during a good binge watch leading up to season 6 more than alright.
True Detective
“…sorry, I drift… sometimes when I’ve had a few, that’s why I like to drink alone, one of the reasons anyway.” – Rust Cohle
You’re not drinking alone, Rust. At least not while we’re watching…The incredible anthology series is so close to premiering its highly anticipated second season, unfortunately without either Matthew McConaughey or Woody Harrelson.
The new cast includes Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams, and Taylor Kitsch. From the promos we’ve seen the last couple months, Farrell seems like the “best” drinking buddy of the bunch, but we’ll find out more later.
Raise your hand if you recently ordered a Lone Star because that’s what Rust Cohle would do? I wouldn’t blame you if you killed a six-pack while binge watching the first season preparing for the second.
With the show’s setting moving to southern California, I recommend going with a personal favorite of mine from the region. Sculpin from Ballast Point has one of the best finishes I’ve had drinking an IPA. “…hints of apricot, peach, mango and lemon flavors, but still packs a bit of a sting, just like a Sculpin fish.” Sounds like any True Detective character.
Orange is the New Black
I’m going to be honest, this one is a real challenge. The ladies are in prison and not really drinking much throughout the series…because they’re in prison.
However, you’re likely going to have a glass filled while binge watching Season 3, which premiers Friday, June 12th on Netflix. Yep, I already know what you’re doing with your Friday night.
Wine might be the more popular drinking companion for many of you while watching OITNB, so perhaps a great Barleywine will do. Sierra Nevada’s Bigfoot Barleywine is a bittersweet malt but packed with flavor to carry you through a good 3 episodes of the show.
If Barleywine isn’t your jam, I recommend a theme worthy sour called “Troublesome” from Off Color Brewing in Chicago. It has a nice lemon finish that’s perfect for those of you who want to bring your laptop outside to watch OITNB on the patio in summer time.
These are just a few favorite shows of mine and probably yours. If you have some more TV shows in mind, Tweet me @Mike_PiFF03 and I’ll try to pair it with another beer for you.
(UPDATE: A new list of 60 PLACES will be coming soon!)
In June of 2014, my favorite pizza place in Lake Zurich closed down.
….I was on a mission to find the next best thing.
For 11 months, I tried 40 different unique pizza places in the Chicagoland area that I had never been to before. I left out the usual suspects (Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, Gino’s East) because we’ve all had them before. I kept track of my findings by posting photos from each location to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #PizzaChallenge.
The wonderful thing about pizza is that it truly brings people together. I had so much fun getting recommendations from friends and strangers alike, meeting up and trying new things. Pizza = Love, I guess.
Although these places are ranked, it doesn’t necessarily mean the one’s ranked lower are bad…more so that the others made a better impression on me. I judged each pizza place based on taste, presentation, customer service, and the overall vibe. Pizza isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience.
*deep breath*
Here we go.
40. Cooper’s – Barrington, IL
Remember that disclaimer I gave about pizza places not necessarily being bad? That doesn’t apply here…I’m going to go with the Thumper Rule though and that’s it.
39. Joe’s Pizzeria – Palatine
No need for the Thumper rule here. The pizza was okay (nothing special), but I would give some advice:
The owner at Penguino’s is remarkably accommodating and will talk your ear off (in a good way) while you wait for your pie. This is where “the disclaimer” applies. Nothing bad about the pizza at all. It just doesn’t stand out like the 37 others ahead of it.
141 W Dundee Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (847) 459-0002
37. Pizza Bella, Palatine
Sometimes, you can be in the mood for something really cheesy. A rom-com, a pickup line, or a pan pie from Pizza Bella…they’ve got your cheese fix. I recommend the pan style from this place.
100 W Northwest Hwy, Palatine, IL 60067 (847) 359-2700
36. Benchmark, Old Town
I’m not totally sure if Benchmark is known for their pizzas, but I found this to be quite delicious. I was also told to have it with a Moscow Mule. It was my first time having one, so that was magical.
1510 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 649-9640
35. Jimano’s, Northwest Suburbs
There are a number of Jimano’s locations in the northwest ‘burbs, and I went with the one in Mundelein. I do like the sauce a lot and it makes for a solid pickup to your Friday night shin dig.
2952 IL-60, Mundelein, IL 60060 (847) 949-8400
34. Pizza Italia, Libertyville
Pizza Italia is a place you’d probably prefer eating in at, but it is a very strong pick up as well. From what they told me at the front, “You shoulda ordered the deep dish!” I’ll keep that in mind for next time.
218 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048 (847) 281-8404
33. Hitz Pizza and Sports Bar, Mundelein
Pretty gooey stuff, and no I didn’t order extra cheese. I’d recommend if you go for sitting down and eating, choose the dining area. A little tough to get your server’s attention if you’re not a regular at the bar.
700 Butterfield Rd, Mundelein, IL 60060 (847) 362-0505
32. Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, Fox Lake
I know, Moretti’s is a chain…but it gets the job done. Each of the 3 different locations I’ve gone to have their own personality and it’s a great time in the summer.
164 US-12, Fox Lake, IL 60020 (847) 973-1800
31. Tammy’s, Spring Grove
Tammy’s makes a pretty good double-decker, no doubt. However, they would be higher on this list if it didn’t take 2 hours to get the pizza. Fortunately there was a solid block of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on the TVs.
6817 State Park Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081 (847) 587-7408
30. Little Italian, Naperville
I really liked how thick this “thin” crust was. This is great “dinner and a movie” pizza (which is exactly what it was…more specifically, Game of Thrones in IMAX with my brother). I also got a kick out of the numerous “I grew up on that!” texts and comments that followed.
373 E Bailey Rd, Naperville, IL 60565 (630) 983-8200
29. Fire + Wine
There’s fire (a woman actually got caught in her table’s candle when I went). There’s wine (amazing selection)…And it’s an awesome spot for catching up and date nights. If you like your gourmet style small plate pizzas, this place is for you. Very nice and attentive service too.
433 N Main St, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 793-9955
28. Jersey’s Pizza and Grill, Hoffman Estates
It’s a weird location when you pull up, but it’s a really cool spot to watch a game. The multiple-monitors setup seems ideal for March Madness or a Fantasy Football Sunday…The pizza’s pretty good too! I recommend the Italian Beef and jalapeno combo.
2360 Lakewood Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 (847) 765-0085
27. Antioch Pizza Shop, Rt. 59
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When I picked up my order, I asked the girl at the counter if she would recommend anywhere else around Antioch. Her answer was perfect: “I don’t know anywhere else other than here.” Touche, salesman.
994 IL-59, Antioch, IL 60002 (847) 395-6777
26. Georgio’s Pizza, South Barrington
I have had the deep dish here before and it is delicious, but so is the thin crust…There’s a location in Crystal Lake, I know, but check out the South Barrington Arboretum to grab pizza and then a movie at the iPic across the street…They have recliner seating to help you with your pizza coma.
Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W Higgins Rd, South Barrington, IL 60010 (847) 844-1988
25. Union, Evanston
I came here right after the Northwestern homecoming game against Nebraska with my little brother…We were probably a bit out of place with our football/tailgating garb because it’s more of a date location, but I loved the scene regardless. Cool mason jar lighting, excellent beer selection, a little pricy pizza…but perfect servings.
1245 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202 (847) 475-2400
24. Marcello’s Father & Son
This was one of those fun cases where a colleague had seen what I was doing with the Pizza Challenge and wanted me to try a favorite of his. Very thin and great flavor from the cheese, which is an excellent combo.
2475 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 252-2620
23. Pizza Factory, Lake Zurich
This is a new spot in my hometown, originally from Barrington. I stopped in during the first week it was open and the owner couldn’t be nicer. They have a lot more than pizza (awesome tacos), but my recommendation would be to go with their “stuffed” style. It’s like a thinner version of the double decker that you’ve grown to love up here in the northwest suburbs, but it really stands out. Very tasty sauce too.
1110 S. Old Rand Rd. Lake Zurich, IL 60047
(847) 550-0400
22. Kaiser’s Pizza and Pub, Gurnee
Kaiser’s is just a bit further north of Six Flags Great America and makes for an excellent stop after riding the American Eagle and Raging Bull. I would recommend not getting the fried dough balls before ordering the double decker (my bad), but it does make excellent cold pizza.
1801 IL-21, Gurnee, IL 60031 (847) 336-6500
21. Flour & Stone, Streeterville
This is definitely one of the better gourmet-East coast style joints in the city. It’s BYOB but they do have some craft beer options. I still recommend bringing a couple bottles of wine. It’s also very casual and comfortable for anyone.
355 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 822-8998
20. Flo & Santos, South Loop
Flo & Santos is a polish pizzeria. That’s right. POLISH PIZZERIA. They serve pierogis but they also serve the beauties you see above and a crazy variety of other combinations. They also have wide array of vodka selections…because POLISH.
1310 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 566-9817
19. Dante’s Pizzeria, Logan Square
If you like thin crust or New York style or…OH MY GOD THIS PIZZA NEEDS A SEPARATE TABLE! No worries. They do serve it by the slice. The “Inferno” themed menu includes items such as the “Minos” and the “Minotaur”. Plus the chalk art menu is epic.
3028 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL (773) 342-0002
18. Silo, Lake Bluff
Silo has some of the best pan pizza in the area and a big reason is the soft crust. And the cheesy goodness overload…They also have a bunch of pizza topping combos that make it fun for anyone.
625 Rockland Rd, Lake Bluff, IL 60044 (847) 234-6660
17. Halftime Bar & Grill, Johnsburg
It may be the most unique taste I’ve had with a pizza in a long time…and that’s not a bad thing. It’s certainly in the cheese and grease and I don’t care…It’s great!
2405 Johnsburg Rd, Johnsburg, IL 60051 (815) 344-0007
16. Buffo’s, Highwood
I am so glad that I’ve found a pizza I can take to Ravinia with me! High quality in Highwood with both thin and double decker options.
431 Sheridan Rd, Highwood, IL 60040 (847) 432-0301
15. Chicago Pizza Boss, Food Truck
I’ve never had Food Truck Pizza and now I’ve seen the light. Excellent options and it doesn’t take too long. I found these guys at Daley Plaza at 1:30 PM on a Friday, but you can check them out on their website.
(Programming Note: Coming soon will be the #FoodTruckChallenge! So stay tuned and send any leads to @Mike_PiFF03 on Twitter.)
14. JJ Twigs, Wauconda
You may recall me mentioning my favorite place at home in Lake Zurich closing down (it’s actually been relocating for like a year). It is also called JJ Twigs. Same logo and many mistakenly believe the recipe is the same…It’s not. The Wauconda location is more reliant on cheese and the sauce isn’t as sweet as the Lake Zurich version, but it is still very good.
1200 N Old Rand Rd, Wauconda, IL 60084 (847) 526-5444
13. Wayne’s Pizza, Arlington Heights
I walked into this place near Arlington Park on a Friday night and the line for pickup was out the door. It was in the middle of winter too…I understood why after I ate it. They are the only place I’ve seen to cut their double decker slices into squares and I loved it.
1618 W Northwest Hwy, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 (847) 255-2441
12. Nick’s Pizza & Pub, Crystal Lake
Now we’re crossing the territory where EVERYTHING IS AWESOME. One of my favorite double decker style pizzas, and it’s due to the combination of gooey cheese and lighter crust.
856 Pyott Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815) 356-5550
11. Aurelio’s, Homewood
Now when you do your own Pizza Challenge (which I highly encourage), don’t wait till nearly the end to try it. Your friends from the south suburbs won’t let you hear the end of it….and they’re not wrong. The thin crust is flaky and crunchy greatness, and the stuffed pizza is no slouch either…Just be sure you go to the one in Homewood. Apparently that’s where everything is made fresh.
18162 Harwood Ave, Homewood, IL 60430 (708) 798-8050
10. Barone’s Pizza, Glen Ellyn
Barone’s was the last stop on my quest for pizza glory and I’m glad it was…This thin crust masterpiece referred to as “The Hilltopper” is amazing, but the real treat is their pan pizza. I don’t think I’ve had better pan pizza ever…
And be sure to pair your order with root beer! Trust me.
475 Pennsylvania Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 858-0555
9. Coalfire, West Town
A great spot if you want a bite before a Bulls or Blackhawks game. It is some of the thinnest you’ll find, and the finest at that. Those who fold their pizzas will love it…and so would anyone else. Definitely follow it up with one of their awesome cupcakes as well. Almost cheesecake like.
1321 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 (312) 226-2625
8. Root’s Handmade Pizza, Ukrainian Village
People who have spent time in the Quad Cities for an extended period of time aren’t ever alarmed by their pizza being cut into long horizontal strips…The manager of the Quad City themed establishment told me they had based their recipe off the one from “Harris Pizza” in Rock Island. I told him his was better…Also GIANT MOZZARELLA STICKS!!!!
1924 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 645-4949
7. Pizano’s, The Loop
As I mentioned before, I left the usual suspects of deep dish chains out of the Pizza Challenge. That includes Lou Malnati’s…which is fine because Pizano’s was founded by Rudy Malnati Jr, son of Rudy Malnati Sr. who founded Pizzeria Uno back in 1943. It’s actually lighter than Lou’s, and the buttery crust is out of this world.
Mallers Building, 61 East Madison Street, Chicago, IL
(312) 236-1777
6. Bill’s Pizza & Pub, Mundelein
This is where it all began. Bill’s was the very first stop on the Pizza Challenge and 11 months later, this is where we are…I’ve heard multiple stories about imitators of their recipe all around Lake County, and I understand why. The sauce is fantastic!
624 S Lake St, Mundelein, IL 60060 (847) 566-5380
5. Art of Pizza, Lakeview
I have no idea how it took me this long to try Art of Pizza but I’m so glad I did. There are a litany of deep dish options and you can have them all by the slice…Amazing cheese and the kind of crust that makes Giordano’s jealous.
3033 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 327-5600
4. Piece Pizza and Brewery, Bucktown
Via Piece on Twitter (Thanks for the assist, guys!)
We’ve now reached the point where any of these could be #1 overall (including Art of Pizza)…I once had family in town, and they wanted to try something unique and original in Chicago. So I took them to Piece and it’s now their favorite joint in the city. It’s New Haven style and you can build your own however you please…Also, don’t be intimidated by the mashed potatoes as a topping. It’s fantastic and goes great with their hand crafted beer.
1927 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 772-4422
3. Vito & Nick’s, Southside
You’ve probably seen Vito & Nick’s on a bunch of the pizza lists before this one, and also on TV…Believe the hype. It’s the dive-iest of places (carpet wallpaper, bad lighting, Jack ‘n Coke in a bottle), but it’s the kind of thin crust pizza that forces involuntary noises out of you.
8433 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652 (773) 735-2050
2. Pequod’s, Lincoln Park
Pequod’s is the truth. If deep dish pizza defines Chicago, the caramelized cheese crust redefines deep dish pizza.
2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 327-1512
1. Boiler Room, Logan Square
39 other pizza places. 11 months in the making…So why is Boiler Room my number 1?
As I said at the top, pizza isn’t just a meal…it’s an experience. And I had my best experience in the last year at Boiler Room. All the different pie options are mouthwatering. The cocktails and beer selection are outstanding. The music is amazing. The service is great. They were also playing Tarantino movies on the giant monitor behind the bar when I went…And for $8.50, you can enjoy their PB & J special: a slice of pizza, a PBR tall boy, and a shot of Jameson. Oh my…
2210 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 276-5625
Now that the #PizzaChallenge is over, this page will serve as a database for more new pizza places I try. If you have any suggestions, let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03 and I’ll edit the list accordingly.
Thank you to everyone who recommended places, encouraged me to do it, and joined me for a few slices.
Did you grab a slice yet today? Why not? You didn’t know?
It’s National Pizza Day!
Now you may be asking, “who decided this?” IT DOESN’T MATTER WHO DECIDED THIS! IT’S PIZZA!
So let’s commemorate the occasion properly and take a look at moments in television and film that made us hungry enough to call for delivery.
Breaking Bad
Most fans can pinpoint it to Season 3 Episode 2, but how did that pepperoni pizza get up on that roof?
Walter?…Don’t you do it!…Dammit, Walter.
Home Alone
How many immature jerks, I mean kids, tried this themselves? I imagine it was a rough go for delivery guys nationwide during the 90s.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
We’ll forgive the Turtles for their choice of Dominos only because they live in a sewer. And because corporate sponsorship and all…
Wayne’s World
Speaking of corporate sponsorship…
Mad Men
Not really any physical pizza being involved, but clearly Peggy has what we all do on her mind…Hey! Get your head out of the gutter!
Back to the Future Part II
Not only did they try predicting the next time the Cubs would go to the World Series, but also the way we ate pizza. I’m okay with them being wrong about the latter.
The 2014 Academy Awards
While Ellen was breaking the internet with the world’s greatest selfie, she was also throwing the world’s greatest pizza party…C’mon. Brad Pitt was passing out plates.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
“Who ordered the double cheese and sausage?” Probably the best pizza moment in cinematic history.
So…
Have another great pizza moment in mind? Comment here or Tweet @Mike_PiFF03. Now go get some pizza!
Media Day, All-Time great commercial countdowns, the constant NFL Films replaying of Super Bowls past, food…
It’s the best.
Once #DeflateGate finally blows over (if it ever does), we’ll see the game itself broken down in every way possible and multiple prop bet odds fluctuating up until Idina Menzel starts belting out our National Anthem. We’ll get trash talking from coast-to-coast and perhaps a gentleman’s bet between Ed Murray and Martin Walsh, the mayors of Seattle and Boston.
I would like to heat up the trash talk between the two regions by widening the scope and digging deeper into more than football. By comparing Seattle and New England (Boston) in categories such as music, TV, movies, other sports, beer, etc, we’ll be able to formulate a prediction for the Sunday’s outcome that’s as logical as an elephant choosing the winner…or a tiger.
That was awesome.
Anywho…
Music
In Seattle…
As part of Dave Grohl’s “Sonic Highways” docu-series following the cool concept of the Foo Fighters’ cross country recording journey for their latest album, Grohl and HBO focused on the Seattle music scene. While the central theme was how bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, SoundgardenandAlice in Chains almost literally blew up your FM frequencies, helping to create the alternative genre, grunge wasn’t the only calling card for Seattle.
During the post-war era (1945-1975), Seattle produced three of the industry’s all-time great black musicians. Ray Charles recorded his first single and made his television and radio debuts in Seattle. Quincy Jones played as an instrumentalist in Bumps Blackwell’s band. And before he went to England to start recording to eventually gain worldwide fame, Jimi Hendrix was rocking the clubs in Seattle on a nightly basis…In Hip-Hop, most of you know that Macklemore is from Seattle, but did you know Sir Mix A Lot was too? Seattle has also been the hub for current indie music acts, including Sunny Day Real Estate, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, The Head and the Heart, Fleet Foxes and (one of my favorites) Band of Horses.
In Boston…
I wanted to preface this in the beginning, but we find in a lot of these categories to be “Old School vs. New School” with New England representing a lot of the former. Of course we have to start with the “Bad Boys from Boston”, Aerosmith. Also fondly referred to as “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band”, they certainly score big points in this game. Add (the band) Boston, The Cars, and J. Geils Band to the list of bands yours dad (and I) really likes.
I found myself torn between the two, so I asked a couple of music experts and enthusiasts for their thoughts:
“Both great legacies. I couldn’t possibly pick one over the other, as four of my favorite bands of all time come from each city: Mission of Burma and Morphine (Boston/Cambridge) and Fastbacks and Mudhoney (Seattle). Also Tad makes up for the rise of Candlebox in Seattle, and the Cars make me want to forgive Boston for the existence of Extreme.”– Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune Music Critic
“Hard to not pick Boston just because I have so many musician friends there, but Seattle is formidable. I will call it a draw.” – Len Kasper, Chicago Cubs Television Broadcaster and musician.
See! Not that easy.
However, I’m a firm believer in quality over quantity and Seattle’s scene from the 90’s and recently is too good to deny. Plus, they don’t have a band like Extreme to worry about canceling out.
TV
Set in Seattle…
When we see Seattle depicted on television, what impressions do we get? Progressive, new age, rainy?
Twin Peaks, Weeds, Grey’s Anatomy, The Killing (aka The show that makes me genuinely afraid of Seattle.) And of course…
Frasier.
Set in Boston…
There’s a handful of the typical (but still good) “Boston” themed shows. Boston Legal, Boston Public, Boston Commons (yeah, I said it.)…Wahlburg is basically a synonym for “Boston” so Wahlburgers is included. Fringe, Leverage, and Rizzoli & Isles too. Ally McBeal is your “Grey’s” equivalent. And then there’s the real Boston heavyweight…
Cheers.
Who Gets The Edge?
At the end of the day, its Frasier vs. Cheers isn’t it? And there wouldn’t be a Frasier without Cheers. So Boston gets the win here.
Movies
In Seattle…
Yes Chick-Flick lovers, Sleepless in Seattle is a classic. But it’s not Seattle’s only claim to fame in the genre. 10 Things I Hate About You, Love Happens, An Officer and a Gentleman, the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey film, and Say Anything…are all worthy of getting a spin this Valentine’s Day.
Some of my favorites include This Is Spinal Tap, War Games and 50/50. Add thrillers like Fear, The Hand That Rocks The Cradle and The Ring. And of course we can’t forget Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Saving Silverman, and Harry and the Hendersons.
In Boston…
There’s a fun spectrum of films that come to mind when you think of films based in Boston.
Gritty action movies: The Equalizer, Boondock Saints, The Town…
Sports movies: Fever Pitch, Celtic Pride, and I’ll allow Field of Dreams.
Oscar nominated dramas: Good Will Hunting, Mystic River, The Fighter, and The Departed.
Who Has The Edge?
As much as I love 50/50 and War Games, Seattle can’t compete with the heavy hitters that were filmed in Boston. How do you like them apples?
Food
In Seattle…
Visuals are helpful. Warning: you may get hungry.
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In Boston…
Ditto.
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The Edge?
I don’t think you can go wrong getting seafood in either town, but my tastebuds lean toward Boston for the pizza and sweets.
Landmarks/Sights
In Seattle…
The Space Needle
Pike Place Fish Market
The Puget Sound
Safeco Field
…and the Freemont Troll. It’s under a bridge. And scary/adorable.
In Boston…
The Massachusetts State House
The Hatch Memorial Shell
The Freedom Trail
Fenway Park
…where everybody knows your name.
The Edge?
Close call, but how about that view in Seattle? Fenway Park will always have a place in my baseball heart but the Bridge Troll is kind of a deal breaker.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Starbucks vs. Facebook – Seattle: Both addicting and everywhere, but I don’t have to worry about baby pictures, candy crush invites or internet trolls at any of the 5 Starbucks in a 3 mile radius of my house.
Sports Other Than Football – Boston: Love Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez, but how many championships does the city have outside of the football stadium?
Beer – Boston: The Seattle craft beer scene is definitely a thing. Black Raven, Elysian, Georgetown and Naked City are all notable breweries…but the Boston Beer Co. is America’s original.
The Score:
Seattle – 3
New England – 5
Sorry, Star-Lord.
Let us know what you think and other ways your favorite city is better than the other by Tweeting @Mike_PiFF03.
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