What IWS Fans Are Saying

Friday, November 4, 2011

The World's Best Pizza: It's in Your Heart and at Cassano's

Whenever I come across the following quote by, Kevin James, I think of the existential brilliance of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche…

“There’s no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap.”

The former King of Queens actor sums life up quite well in the aforementioned quote…

Because while I, (and many others) find that orbiting the hot oven of life we call the sun, upon an oblique spheroid of a pizza pan we call Earth can be painful and difficult at times, the day to day trials and tribulations can be quickly sent into a decaying orbit by…eating a pizza.

I mean c’mon…

It’s warm dough, spicy tomato sauce, melted cheese, the occasional veggie to make you think it’s good for you, all served on one huge, edible, round, or rectangular “plate” piled with meat.

How could any breathing, thinking human being with half a taste bud in his or her mouth not like that? Uh-huh…they can’t…Word.

Pizza is a universal language.

For instance, Kierkegaard who was Danish, might have liked his pie topped with Havarti and Smelts. Nietzsche being German, may have preferred limburger, sausage, and angst. Kevin James?

Being the New Yorker that he is, probably likes the Big Apple style pie that you curl up in your hand as it drips in the bountiful beauty of pepperoni, extra mozzarella, and grease. Mmmmmmmmm.

Either way…Pizza brings a smile to peoples’ faces, because the people eating it, have personalized it. 

They choose what goes on it. Ordering a pizza allows the common folk to enjoy the wide array of ala carte topping options without incurring a Greek-sized debt. It’s no wonder the Greeks went under to the Romans.

Another great thing about pizza is that it’s like a quilt…an afghan of sorts, although I don’t think Afghans have pizza, and if they did, it would probably be poppy and yak pizza, which makes perfect sense.

The hallucinogenic effect of the poppies would mask the bitterness of the yak, but I digress…

Pizza brings folks of all cultures, race, class, etc. together. I’m serious, now dig it…

Sure, sometimes one may get a pizza for them self, but how often have you heard:

“Hey, WHO’S up for pizza?”

“Why don’t WE order some pizza?”

“If I spring for the pizza, THEY might like me.”

See?

Pizza is also, among it’s great qualities, good for something else.

It identifies where one is from; it help to define and nurture one’s roots.

I have grown up and been a lifelong resident of the Miami Valley, specifically the Dayton/Springfield, Ohio region, and in spite of all of the chain pizza places which are available, nothing says home more than Cassano’s Pizza.

Cassano’s Pizza has been making great pie for years, and those of us around here love ‘em.

And let me tell you…In addition to the quality of the pizza itself, the best thing about their pizza goes back to their name.

This local/regional chain was built by Vic Cassano. That my friends, is a great pizza name…and it has to be both names.

You can’t have a great pizza place named after Bob Cassano…that sounds like a used car salesman, and…

You can’t have a great pizza placed named after Vic Tayback, because that sounds like a dirty diner in Arizona.

The name, the dough, the sauce, the toppings…they all add up to comfort when you get them right, and pizza affords us all that, even if for only a few minutes a week.

Cheers!!

Matt-Man

9 comments:

I'm With Stupid said...

Pizza is a universal favorite. I've only met a few people in my life who didn't like pizza. And, when I found that out, I looked upon them in a very suspicious manner. Much like people who don't put beans in their chili. They're just not right.

Jay

I'm With Stupid said...

Jay: Oh hell yeah, I agree and have met pizza-haters like that myself, and seriously...Chili with out beans? May as well call that, Silly Chili. Cheers Jayman!!

Matt-Man

food solutions said...

ohhhhhhhhhh my god..sooo yumy :)

I'm With Stupid said...

Food: Isn't it though? Cheers!!

Matt-Man

Knight said...

Damm you! Now I have to eat pizza today. Luckily my favorite pizza place in all of New York is on my way to the bar. Have you had taco pizza? That's a hometown thing for me and sweet baby Jeebus it's delicious.

I'm With Stupid said...

Knight: Oh Hell Yeah...Loooove the Taco Pizza. I don't see places offering them as often as they used to around here, but it's great. Enjoy your pie today. Cheers Knight!!

Matt-Man

jack mehoff said...

being from a part of the country where we steal things from other parts of the country to identify ourselves, the best thing in town didnt have a basis for comparisson until this march i went to chi town. now i have had what i consider to be real pizza. i cant wait to go back and try some more places, but for now, this is what i call pizza:

http://www.giordanos.com/

i looked up how much it would cost for them to send me one in the mail, $70 of which most is the shipping - but it would be so worth it - just to get a lil chi town back in my mouth

that sounded dirty.

I'm With Stupid said...

Jack: Looks good, maybe if I run into some money, I'll send you a make at home pizza pack, that Cassano's offers. Have a pizza-filled weekend. Cheers Jack!!

Matt-Man

Steve Bailey said...

Your post today made me decide to order pizza.... right now!!! I think Im going with pepperoni and pineapple... damn it wheres the phone number?