John Craig, co-owner of Da Sauce and Westword’s Best of Denver 2024 winner for Best Chicago-Style Eats, looks skeptical as I bring in a tavern-style pie from Pizza Hut. Alongside his wife Jandee, they prepare their housemade pepperoni pizza, ready to compare it with Pizza Hut’s offering.
For the next hour, I taste both pizzas side by side. The differences are immediately clear, even visually.
A Brief History
Chicago’s tavern-style pizza emerged in the 1940s, serving as a light snack for bar patrons. This thin, cracker-crust pizza, cut into small squares, became perfect for sampling. Today, this style is popular, with over ten places in Denver offering it, including Da Sauce, known for its unique flavor inspired by Chicago Heights.
Visual Comparison
The two pizzas are starkly different. The Pizza Hut pie looks thin and stiff, with dry cheese. In contrast, Da Sauce’s pizza has a vibrant appearance, with ample cheese and a slight sheen from the oils.
Crust
A common frustration in the pizza industry is undercooked thin-crust pizzas. Da Sauce avoids this with a well-done, crispy crust that retains a slight chew and fresh, doughy flavor, made from scratch daily. Pizza Hut’s crust is crispy but bland, reminiscent of thin cardboard.
Sauce
Despite Pizza Hut’s extensive testing, its sauce is minimal and lacks impact. Da Sauce, true to its name, delivers a robust sauce with Italian herbs, garlic, and sweet tomatoes.
Pepperoni
Pizza Hut uses both cupping and flat pepperoni, placed on top. Da Sauce layers its pepperoni under the cheese, providing a crisp edge and a deeper flavor. The pepperoni at Da Sauce offers a longer, richer taste compared to the sharper, fleeting bite from Pizza Hut.
Cheese
The cheese on Pizza Hut’s pie is the best part but lacks the depth found in Da Sauce’s pizza, which uses a generous, well-balanced amount of cheese.
Price
At first glance, Pizza Hut appears more affordable at $12 for a fourteen-inch pie compared to Da Sauce’s $20.99. However, the pizzas differ significantly in thickness and weight. Pizza Hut’s pie measures six millimeters thick, while Da Sauce’s is eleven millimeters, making the latter a more substantial option.
A patron at the bar admits to occasionally choosing Pizza Hut for its affordability, especially when feeding a large family. However, he acknowledges that it takes more Pizza Hut pizzas to satisfy hunger.
Verdict
The conclusion is clear: support quality, locally-owned establishments. John and Jandee Craig’s dedication to Da Sauce shows in the care they put into their food. Despite initial expectations, Pizza Hut doesn’t offer a significant price advantage when considering the quality and quantity of ingredients. The disparity highlights the power of advertising and corporate profit margins over actual product quality.
For those craving quality pizza, Da Sauce is a better choice. Open late on weekends, it’s a perfect option for late-night cravings. In comparison, a $5 frozen pizza might be a better alternative than Pizza Hut’s tavern-style offering.
