Lou Malnati’s Arizona

[Grease Wheel]

Since their opening in Phoenix a few years ago we’ve ordered and enjoyed several of Malnati’s pizza pies, both Chicago thin and a few deep dish. Really good!

Since their opening a location more convenient to us in N. Scottsdale we’ve ordered and not enjoyed several of Malnati’s pizza pies, both Chicago thin and deep dish. Really bad!

While the sauce was fresh and tasty, last night’s pie was poorly constructed and improperly baked. The crust was obscene, both rim and bottom. Pie without pride.

Bye, bye, Mr. Malnati’s pies.. Gotta make pizza at home. The end.

[TXCraig1]

I won't eat Mexican food north of I10. Maybe it's best not to eat "Chicago-style" south of I80?

[Grease Wheel]

I won't eat Mexican food north of I10. Maybe it's best not to eat "Chicago-style" south of I80?

I think you’re right.

[thunder]

I won't eat Mexican food north of I10. Maybe it's best not to eat "Chicago-style" south of I80?

Actually, the entire Phoenix area is loaded with Chicagoan's and their food creations.  I am one of them.   But the truth is they never seem to be quite as good as back home.  That also includes me.    I think everything here is too new and clean. lol  As for Mexican food, I think that's better in Chicago too.  Go figure.

Grease Wheel -- though Malnati’s is my least favorite of Chicago Deep -- that thing you got was a disgrace and a poor representation.

[Gene in Acadiana]

That under-baked crust is terrible, but the scary part is what looks like under-cooked sausage on top of it!

[thunder]

But it's butter crust! lol 

[jkb]

I wouldn't have paid for that.

[Grease Wheel]

I wouldn't have paid for that.

We didn’t. We paid for a closed box and a reputation.

Could have peeked but how much of a fuss do I want when picking up? “Let me look at the bottom, okay? Lift up a slice, let me check for a gum line.” Beyond the fuss that’s how you get “extra toppings” the next time you order. Plus, time from oven to paper plate on the coffee table plays enough havoc with the pizza without me opening the carton and waving it around the restaurant, lol.

This pie looked acceptable from the top when unboxing so a cursory glance would not have revealed the Hell below.

For that they will refund our money and have lost our business.

I’m glad you wouldn’t have paid. Food customers don’t need to be more assertive just less tolerant.

[Chicago Bob]

We didn’t. We paid for a closed box and a reputation.

Could have peeked but how much of a fuss do I want when picking up? “Let me look at the bottom, okay? Lift up a slice, let me check for a gum line.” Beyond the fuss that’s how you get “extra toppings” the next time you order. Plus, time from oven to paper plate on the coffee table plays enough havoc with the pizza without me opening the carton and waving it around the restaurant, lol.

This pie looked acceptable from the top when unboxing so a cursory glance would not have revealed the Hell below.

For that they will refund our money and have lost our business.

I’m glad you wouldn’t have paid. Food customers don’t need to be more assertive just less tolerant.

come on... Lifting the lid, quickly twist a slice to check doneness is not "waving it around in the restaurant".... You stated the joint is new... Don't ever purchase on reputation.... No, don't ever do that, this stuff is expensive and worth your due diligence. 

[Grease Wheel]

come on... Lifting the lid, quickly twist a slice to check doneness is not "waving it around in the restaurant".... You stated the joint is new... Don't ever purchase on reputation.... No, don't ever do that, this stuff is expensive and worth your due diligence. 

My guess is you knew I didn’t think examining a slice was “waving it around the restaurant” and recognized that was exaggeration, lol. My points stand.

Our preference is to take the pepperoni and run. We pays our money and we takes our chances. We’d rather find a clunker at home now and then than compromise every pie by opening the carton and letting mucho heat and moisture escape. Personal taste.

As per the wisdom of diligence ‘due’ is an important word. Again, everyone weighs costs and benefits. Some of ours I listed in a post above.

The Scottsdale location is not that new, just newer. (As you noted I did make the differentiation.) Though not shared by all, Malnati’s has an excellent reputation. Scottsdale served us a bunch of bad pies in a row. Now we’re gonna -not purchase- on the reputation they’ve earned with us.

Anymore, half the time we pay for food someone else chose, stored, prepared and cooked the food bites. I’m fed up, lol.

Soon we only eat what we kill be it plant or flesh. Except for flour, salt, sugar and oil, of course, lol.

[Chicago Bob]

Yep, I wouldn't go back there anymore either. 
I never had a Lou's thin crust. Think I read that they use the same dough for both their styles.