#pizzalist

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Today's the day!

Today I launch #pizzalist! Stay tuned for reports from my first experience later tonight, and join me for my show at 8 pm ET at http://bit.ly/AngelaLive (We'll also be playing Golden Globe trivia drinking games, so come ready!)

But first, I must decide which of the 52 places I should order from first, so gimme a number 1-52... GO!

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Pizza #4: Hell's Kitchen Pizza (& NO SHOW TODAY)

So, as it turns out, there's this thing on television today called the Superbowl that a lot of people are going to be watching. The rest of the people will be watching the Puppy Bowl. Which means it will probably be a little silly to have a live show today so I'm not gonna. 

This kid's eyes are eating my soul.

Listen please. Don't be too sad. I'll be back next week with Valentine's Day-themed trivia, drinking games and PIZZA. All at 9 pm ET at http://bit.ly/AngelaLive

I know. I feel the same way. 

Until then, I leave you with a haiku of a #pizzalist pizza I had Friday morning. You see, Thursday night I went to bed hungry. So by the time I roused myself from the comforts of my bed late-ish Friday morning, I was ready to eat anything that moved. I thought, "What better way to cure these ills than a Mac and Cheese pizza from Hell's Kitchen pizza (917-563-3040 | 691 10th Ave, New York, NY)! In fact, I will even go crazy and add bacon all up in that mix!"

I like the picture, but it seems like the physics don't work for wherever his hands are to be balancing a pizza of that size. Just sayin'. 

It arrived swiftly (this tends to happen when you order the very second they open for business) and although the presentation was pleasing, well, you'll see...

I wake ravenous

Mac and cheese and bacon, yes!

Oh, no bacon. Oh.

-Angela

I've killed men for less.

This was my first experience with a mac and cheese pizza and let me tell you, I had high hopes. I think it would have been much more delicious if they hadn't melted Kraft American slices over top of the whole thing and OH YEAH IF THERE HAD BEEN BACON. Really, would've sent it over the edge. Theoretically. At least in my tongue's imagination*.

As it is- and this is really difficult for me to admit- I ordered that entire pizza for myself and only ate one and a half slices. 

You never leave a slice of pizza behind! It's practically sacrilegious!

It was far too rich and processed-cheesey to consume, but I haven't given up all hope on mac and cheese pizza in general. Nor have I given up hope on Hell's Kitchen Pizza. I didn't even complain about the bacon but "Sammy" was kind enough to call me and apologize and let me know he'd "take care of" me next time. Thanks, Sammy. I'll have the truffle pizza with Fabrege eggs. 

*Yes, my tongue's imagination. All my senses have their own imaginations. My ears think they're pirates!**

**I feel like these portions of my posts are going to be used against me in a court of law some day...

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Pizza #13: Claudio Pizzeria

Claudio has class. Claudio has pizza clout*. If you want a delicious pepperoni pizza, let me make one thing clear: Claudio Pizzeria will make you happy as a clam. 

Crunch, that's Claudio.

Spice, that's Claudio. Oh, whoops.

Sauce stain? Claudio.

-Ang

Literally every time I upload the pizza photo I think, "Roll that beautiful bean footage!"

*Not to be confused with Pizza Klout, who believes Claudio is influential only in Orlando, new moms and iPad.

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It's pizza eatin' time, y'all! YEEHAW!

I recently spent some time in Houston, Texas*, and while I was there I sampled some local pizzas (three, to be exact). Being extremely loyal to my New York pizzas**, I was skeptical that Texas could pull it off to my liking, but Cody Lee did his best to prove to me that them cowboys can sure throw down a delicious pie. So if you're ever in the Houston area***, check out the following!

1. Luigi's Pizzeria

Here we have the caprese pizza from Luigi's Pizza. SUPER healthy amounts of mozzarella on this guy. Luigi is clearly a New Yorker at heart, or at belly. If you're afraid of delicious, stay away from this one.

Cody's not afraid of delicious. He's about to pounce on that pizza XCORE.

2. Star Pizza

Meat, meat, meat, meat, meat, meat, meat, meat...

With Star Pizza, we gave in to our carnivorous side and ordered a thin Ben (ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni and ham). The crust on this guy wasn't my favorite, a bit dry if you ask me, but overall a solid showing of meats. Mmm meats.

Also, they could stand to work on their box presentation****. It always disappoints me when pizzerias employ a plain, non-decorated box. Feels like low self esteem to me.

Take pride in your pizzas, folks!

3. Pi Pizza Truck

Instagram makes my memories look so much more stylish.

Ok look me in the eye because I'm about to say something and I'm not going to say it again: If you ever go to Houston, get pizza from Pi Pizza Truck. 

I had the 420 slice. It had a sweet spicy BBQ-type sauce, heapings of cheese and- here's where the 420 part comes in- Fritos. Yes, Fritos. MADNESS. Made for a tasty slice and a crunchy bite*****! 

All their pizzas are somewhat mad but I'm convinced they are all the exact right kind of mad. Take The Drunken Peach, for example. Peaches and blueberries in whiskey syrup, diced habanero peppers, Texas goat cheese and mozzarella. Sign me up for that flavor party and Imma be needing a plus one to accomodate how much pizza I plan on eating. So if you've got a "thing" for a little crazy******, do yourself a favor and find this truck. 

Southern pizza tryst

deep in the heart of Texas

I want more Pi please

-Ang

*Pronounced "house-ton".

**I once cut a man for suggesting we order Chicago-style.

***Pronounced "house-ton air-ee-uh".

****TWSS?

*****And as science has proven again and again, the more noise you make when you eat, the more friends you make. HAVEN'T YOU READ SCIENCE???

******YKWYACHL.

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Ok I already knew I needed a DSLR to call my own, but now I know I REALLY need one. I want to take sexy pin-up photos with my pizzas and make my own #pizzalist calendar. I mean, this sexy pizza calendar is ok, but it's missing me: a crucial component to making all things good. SOOOoooooo anyone looking to donate to a worthy fund?? You'll get your pizza calendar free!

#PIZZALIST launch in three days!!!!

NOTE TO SELF: Keep going to the gym or December ain't gonna be pretty...

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Pizza #23: Mario's Trattoria

I've never actually met anyone named Mario, but if I did I would shake his hand*. Marios have already given us the best video games, AC Slater, and a love of orange crocs and socks, and today they give us #pizzalist pizza number twenty-three, the Pizza Bianca from Mario's Trattoria.   

Speaking of AC Slater, we see the revival of the Saved By The Bell-style pizza box...

Most white pies have very distinct cheese regions. The mozzarella dominates the landscape with islands of ricotta lumped here and/or there. This can be delicious, as it gives you the opportunity to savor each of the different cheeses independently with each bite.

Mario skimped on slicing, but not on flavor.

Mario's pizza bianca is more egalitarian with its cheeses however, mixing the ricotta with the mozzarella somewhat evenly in a pas-de-deux of cheesy goodness. I appreciated this; I delighted in this, both mentally and physically. Each slice danced into my mouth culminating in a standing ovation from the full house that was my cheese-filled stomach post-pizza. My heart's gone gooey for Mario's melty cheeses. HAIKU TIME!

White, like driven snow

Evenly distributed

cheese, like polar bear

-Ang

*Granted, I shake most people's hands when I meet them, so this shouldn't be TOO shocking, but you get the "point".

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Pizza #22: Ziglioni's Pizza Bar

If you're a pizzalover- and I assume either you are and that's why you're here or you're just stalking me*- and you appreciate a crackery crust with quality ingredients, check out #pizzalist pizza-maker Ziglioni's Pizza Bar.

A classy box for a classy pizza.

They fancy. Oh yeah they real fancy. How fancy, you ask? So fancy my pizza wasn't even in English. Nope, I ordered the Ai Carciofi e Tartufo Pizza which must translate to "mmmmm oh yeah nom nom nom nom nom want more" and contained mozzarella, artichoke, Pecorino Romano, truffle oil, sans sauce. Brilliant.

A slighty charred crust makes for some crunchy good eats!

Some folks disagree with a no-sauce pizza but some folks ain't me. I love it, and Ziglioni's did an excellent job of loading up the cheese and toppings while maintaining the integrity of its wafer-thin crust. If anything, they could have been a little less heavy handed with the truffle oil, but that's such a #firstworldproblem that I hesitate to even mention it. Haiku time!

Shaved Pecorino,

Cheesey, artichoke pizza

No sauce for me, thanks.

-Ang

*Which is fine too. I find it quite flattering when dolls are made out of my hair. 

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Pizza #9: Luigi's Restaurant

For #pizzalist pizza number nine, Luigi's Restaurant (917-563-3037, 304 8th Ave) presented my friend Drexel and I with a pepperoni pie last night and I'll cut to the chase: serviceable. 

I didn't know Verizon made pizzas! Can you taste me now?

This is the kind of pizza you want when you've had a couple... or a dozen. Greasy but not crazy greasy, bland-ish pepperonis, crunchy crust. It was all well and good enough, but in the end there is simply too much delicious pizza in the world to waste another trip on Luigi's. Sorry. Deal with it, Luigi.

Angela is great

Pizza is so rubbery

Tequila is rough

-Drexel

Slight plastic bag taste

You are still pizza to me

Pizza to eat drunk

-Ang

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WELCOME TO MY YEAR OF PIZZA!

I'm going to explain this as simply as I can.

I love pizza. I live in New York City where pizza was INVENTED*. I could eat pizza for every meal. I dream about pizza**. There's no such thing as a bad pizza, just a chance to get more pizza. 

I drool a little every time I type the word "pizza".

I recently moved to midtown Manhattan (from another part of Manhattan. This ain't my first rodeo) and obviously the first thing I did (before figuring out how my keys work or whether or not I had running water) was find out how many places will deliver pizza to me through my favorite delivery site GrubHub.com***. Turns out there are 52. GUESS WHAT. There are 52 weeks in a year. Is this coincidence? Fate? OR VALIDATION FOR ME TO TRY EVERY SINGLE ONE IN A SYSTEMATIC MANNER????

I'm obviously going with the latter. 

This guy gets it.

Thus, 2012 is going to be my year of pizza. I will order (at least) one new pizza from (at least) one new pizza place every week. Here on this tumblr I will provide photos and info about each pizza. If you would like the thrill of seeing the pizza with your own eyes and watching the enjoyment pour over me as I enjoy each slice, please watch my live show every Sunday night at 8 pm ET at http://bit.ly/AngelaLive (The show will also include special guests, gossip, games and other good stuff that starts with g.) 

My first official pizza will be January 15th, so check in on the site and tune into my show then. Yes, I realize that is not starting at the exact beginning of the year (don't hate, I'm on vacay until then), but let's face it, I will be eating pizza more than once a week probably many times throughout the year. I will probably also be eating pizzas not on my delivery list that may be showcased here. I like pizza****.

If you find yourself thinking, "But Angela, what's the point??? Is there a goal?? How is this bettering the world???" then you obviously will never understand the spirit of the #pizzalist (i.e. addiction). Which is fine. That's more pizza for me.

This is my friend @jbthilman and I enjoying a Ben Folds pizza. SOUNDED like a good idea at the time... tasted a little cardboard-y.

If you would like to contact me to send me FREE PIZZA, or if you would like to hear about the other misadventures of my life (I make a lot of silly web videos), check me out on Twitter (http://twitter.com/angela_mayans) where I will also be keeping everyone up-to-date with my #pizzalist (as well as probably telling you how boring it is standing in line at the bank, like people do on Twitter).

LET THE PIZZA-ING COMMENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, somebody please buy me a badass pizza beret. Please.

*Pizza was not invented in NYC, but I'm not much of a stickler for "facts".

**One time I dreamt that I worked in a pizza place but just hid in back eating pizza. It was pepperoni. It was delicious.

***Pizza, like any food, is immeasurably better when you must neither hunt nor gather it.

****In case you haven't noticed.

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Pizza #24: Daniela's

Sometimes you like-a the sausage and sometimes you like-a the pizza and sometimes you like-a to get them together like the #pizzalist pizza a la salsaiccia I got from Daniela's. Sometimes. 

Here we are again, back in-a Pizzatown!

Sometimes you get-a this pizza and it satisfies-a your hunger. But eat it quick because it doesn't keep-a for very long-a. Not-a recommended for reheats, but who needs-a reheats when you have-a need for one-sitting big eats!

What's with the spacing here, Daniela? C'mon...

Sometimes you just do-a silly voices, for-a no discernable reason, but-a hey, as my grandmama always said, different-a strokes for-a different-a folks. Haiku!

Sliced sausage sweetens

a cheesy, chomp-worthy pie.

Forgive a bland crust?

-Ang

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Pizza #20: Original Pronto Pizza

Very rarely are you ever going to hear me say that you are better off NOT having pizza than even having the most pathetic $.99 shame slice*, because very rarely is that true. Well, today is one of those sad days, pizza friends. Don't bother with #pizzalist's Original Pronto Pizza unless you hate your stomach and want to commit suicide by pepperoni grease. 

"Best Pizza in Town", if you're really into vomiting and heart disease.

On the one hand I was excited about this pizza as it was chock full 'o cheese, they didn't waste any space on unnecessary crust, and the pepperonis were speecy-spicy**. Then I picked it up and the pools of grease that had formed on top began cascading about me like a waterfall of wasted opportunity. We can put a man on the moon, people. We can make a cheesey pizza that doesn't have to be dabbed at with a napkin like a d-bag***.

They can't all be winners. I'm sure even in heaven there's a crappy part of town with bad traffic.

This pizza left me feeling ill, which for most people who don't ignore their evolutionary instincts is a sign to not eat it any more, but I'm an American, so I gave it another shot reheated the next day. Same story. Turns out death pizza doesn't suddenly become quality over night thanks to any magical properties of my refrigerator.

Sigh. Such is life. Let my story be a warning to you, fair pizza eaters, and steer clear of the Original Pronto Pizza. Now, who's hungry for a haiku??

Pepperoni grease

Drips, like tragic pizza tears

Sorrowful belly

-Ang

*About as rarely as Lindsay Lohan successfully completes a court sentence. #topicalhumor

**For those of you who don't speak it, that's Italian for "kinda spicy".

***D-bag= dabbing-bag. One whose "bag" is to "dab".

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Pizza #18: Rosa's Pizza

I'm going to be honest with you, because you deserve that. Readers, I'm going to give it to you straight. No BS, no fancy language; heck, I'm not even convinced I will use multi-syllabic words.

In fact, I'm about to use NO multi-syllabic words to tell you about Rosa's Pizza*. 

One of the worst oft-used box schemes out there. Where did they make this pizza, "The Max***"???

I drank some wine with friends. Scratch that. I drank a good deal of wine with friends. We sat on my roof, on a nice day, and did this. At the end of the day, we had a need for pizza to give weight to our tums. You know what I mean.

Rosa's Pizza hit the spot. 

Some may call it "drunk food". I just call it food.

Top marks for thick cheese and a crust of dough. Low marks for style and sauce. At times, sauce just ends up a waste of time; a thing that does not add to a pizza, a thing that just makes the bits on top not stick in place. This was one of those times. But all in all? She did the trick. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand - HAIKU!

A day in the sun,

Anchored in pepperoni.

Again, next weekend?

-Ang

*Except for "Rosa's" and "pizza", obviously. Don't be ridiculous**.

**And the haiku is exempt. Just want to cover my bases before one of you #pizzalisters gets all snarky barky with your syllable-counting malarky. 

***http://bit.ly/Llmljw

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Pizza #11- The Linc

I'm in the mood for love, simply because pizza is near me! More specifically, the carne Italiano pizza from The Linc. We already know I'm a sucker for a white pie and this one had delicious meats too. Double trouble! In fact, I learned what "speck" was thanks to this pizza. The prosciutto was a bit salty, the speck was a bit hearty, the crust was thinner than Kate Moss after a coke bender, and the mild mozzarella held all the flavors together. All-in-all it was a growth experience and I feel bettered as a person for having had it. My tum felt pretty great about it too. 

In sum, if you are given the chance, eat this pizza. Chomp til you cain't chomp no mo'. 

Where is that other waiter coming from/going to? Is he lost? He looks lost.

Prosciutto, speck, cheese

carne Italiano

Carnivores rejoice!

-Ang

Sweet sauce, dude. No, literally, the sauce was rather sweet.

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Pizza #10 - Two Boots Pizzeria

So clearly I've reached that point where now that I've been doing this blogging thing for a few months it seems like just SO MUCH WORK to sit down and actually write one. This is ridiculous and will not continue. It's rude of me to leave you unknowing of my pizza journey and for this, I deeply apologize. 

I have not stopped eating pizza by any means. In fact, now I've had a couple pizzas from the #pizzalist that I'm not blogging about yet because I didn't take pictures. Really, I just look for any reason for repeat pizzas. IT'S AN ADDICTION, PEOPLE*. Back to business.

I've heard for years that Two Boots Pizza is delicious and fancy. In fact, they claim to have been pizza pioneers since 1987**. Well, the rumors were true. In fact, I'm awarding Two Boots the #BestCrust award thus far. This is quite an accomplishment, as I'm someone who is picky about my crusts. The majority of the time the crust is simply a vehicle for toppings, but this was a crust I looked forward to, I savored, I gently crunched in my mouth, savoring each mouth-watering doughy moment. So, there's that.

I need to find an apartment in this beautiful pizza community. 

I love gimmicks***, so the fact that they use silly names for their interestingly-topped pizzas is of course a draw for me. My pal Rob and I enjoyed The Dude (cajun cheeseburger pie with tasso, andouille, ground beef, cheddar and mozzarella), and the Newman (sopressata and sweet Italian sausage on a white pie). Let me go ahead and spoil the ending for you- 

THEY WERE BOTH SUPER DELICIOUS. It led to a Sophie's Choice type conundrum- which do I eat first? Which flavor do I want to finish on? How do I craft the perfect taste journey when I have two distinct yet equally delicious flavor sensations?? I WANT TO STUFF THEM BOTH IN MY MOUTH AT THE SAME TIME SO NO PIZZA FEELS LEFT OUT.

Ultimately, The Newman was my fave of the two (sucker for a white pie), but the Dude was also fantastic (and less "cheeseburgery" than you'd expect with a cheeseburger pizza, but in a good way).

The Dude abides... in my belly.

Two kinds of pizzas

Each one better than the last

This one's best... no this!

-Rob

Hello, Newman.

The Dude, The Newman

Put on your Two Boots... right, left

Walk into my mouth

-Ang

Don't leave me, pizza. Please, never leave me.

*<insert cry for help here>

**Led by their trusty guide, Pizzajawea. 

***Seriously, I will buy anything if its name is a clever pun or if it is a common household product shaped in a silly silly way. 

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I couldn't help myself!

Ok I told myself that since January 15th was the official launch of my #pizzalist I wouldn't have any pizza until then but I totally failed because let's face it PIZZA IS DELICIOUS and I had a white pie from Patsy's on 23rd last night. No pics for this one, but she was tasty. I guess since Patsy's isn't on the official #pizzalist that was an extracurricular pizza. Mmmm, I'd like a pizza with extra curricular on top. Anyway, let's forget this ever happened.

On another note, Grub Hub is excited about the #pizzalist and they are sending over some goodies including the infamous FORFEOON! It's a fork! It's a knife! It's a spoon! Move over, spork, you're child's play. TIME FOR THE FORFEOON TO DOMINATE SOME PIZZA.

See y'all at the show on Sunday at 8 pm ET! (http://bit.ly/AngelaLive)

In the meantime, go subscribe to my new YouTube channel I started with my lady Amber Plaster (http://youtube.com/LAsassyNYclassy). Our first video should be coming out today and our first music video is dropping on Sunday!

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Pizza #21: L'Allegria Restaurant

For the twenty-first pizza of #pizzalist history, I ordered the prosciutto and pineapple pizza from L'Allegria Restaurant. The prosciutto was a tasty way to up the class-factor on what would otherwise be a typical common man's Hawaiian pie (and that extra class was needed since the rest of the night involved a group of twenty-somethings playing Truth or Dare). Also, this pizza featured maximum cheesiness which is always a plus for me.

I want to live in Pizzaland where the pizza is always rising in the distance...

I won't be long-winded since I'm a little behind on my #pizzalist, so let me put it this way: I am sad that I have too many other pizzas to eat such that I will not be having this one again any time soon. But that doesn't mean you can't have it, dear pizza-loving readers, and I highly encourage you to do so.

Truth or dare pizza

Truth, this pizza is yummy.

Dare, order again!

-Ang