Canberra is now host to a well-developed pizza industry, but John Moulis has been cleaning his shed and found this business card from 1972 when the newly opened Pizza Hut had a much simpler menu, and considerably lower prices.
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EvanJames said :
Spot on.
The best pizza I’ve had in Canberra lately has been from the Costco cafe! I’m also a believer that ‘gourmet pizza’ is ridiculous.
Did anybody see the story on Today Tonight about Domino’s test kitchen where new pizzas are formulated?
There was a segment where the reporter said that they also formulate pizza ideas for France, The Netherlands and three other countries and he found a file which had the recipes for pizzas sold in those other countries.
They can buy a whole range of gourmet pizzas containing ingredients like duck, honey, blue vein cheese and other toppings while all we get is Hawaiian and Meatlovers.
I must admit I liked their Meat Pie pizza which made all too brief appearance five or so years ago. Food for thought.
It sure is puzzling. Whenever I’m in Melbourne I try to sneak away from my group (who are addicted to silly food in hatted restaurants) and find Pizza. And as I sit there, munching on my pizza, I think bitter thoughts about not being able to get this in Canberra and there’s no rational reason.
I’m sadly coming to the conclusion that Canberra pizza tastes run to fat squishy things like mop sponges drenched in cheese, or the dreaded “gourmet” toppings (ie things that ought not be on a pizza).
With you 100% EvanJames. Is it because Canberra doesn’t have a large Italian migrant population or is it because we accept mediocre? Either way for a city this size it doesn’t make sense.
Encore do a 9″, 12″ and 15″ family sized pizza.
Excellent value too.
Watson said :
My eternal quest also. I thought I’d found a new and wonderful source, until Biciletta at Diamante burnt down.
That backyard outfit in Kingston is pretty Italian and crispy, but pricey. Ditto the pizzas at the deli at Fyshwick markets, plus they use very greasy/runny toppings.
I read here a while back about a pizzeria run by a grumpy Italian man in Dickson, but haven’t tracked it down yet.
Then you go to Melbourne and can pick up a good italian proper pizza from any damn cafe. It isn’t fair.
Skidd – I well remember Poci’s Pizza and seeing mention of it made me hunger for their Paglia e Fieno. I think we had a weekly lunch there back in the day.
Hmm…….I don’t have a reason. I never even thought of that!! Next time….
Angelina said :
We have been eyeing one off, but our 42 year old oven has packed it in. I might have to fire up the pizza oven, but it’s bloody cold outside at night.
Out of interest, if it was too big, why not just cut it in half or quarters and spread it over a few shelves?
I still haven’t tasted pizza as yummy as the ones from Poci’s Pizza. He used to be in woden on Bradley St near the entrance where all the bums hang out smoking. I think the ANZ bank is there now. This was circa 1980’s – does anyone remember Poci’s?
*well-developed pizza industry*?
After 14 years here I still have trouble finding an authentic Italian pizza! I obviously haven’t tried all of the pizzerias or Italian restaurants though…
eyeLikeCarrots said :
We bought one of those Costco pizzas. It didn’t fit in the oven properly (the edges mooshed against the oven door and back) so we were going to trim it a bit but ended up cooking it on the BBQ. It was nice, nothing too exciting but definately better than the swill you get from pizza hut/dominos etc. I believe $15 is correct.
In addition to inflation you also have to remember that real incomes were a whole lot lower 40 years ago.
I suspect a $2.7 Pizza was probably a delicacy one only had on special occasions for a lot of people in 1972.
Don’t you just love the “quick take-away service” with the advice to “phone 30 minutes ahead”. Now you can phone Dominos and pick up your pizza in ten minutes. Also no home delivery back then, just dine-in and takeaway.
eyeLikeCarrots said :
You want that thread about the dodgy masseur
I saw a Costco pizza the other day (Some workmates went and bought a few). They were bigger than god’s underpants and prety yummy too. $15 dollars for an 18 incher apparently.
Keijidosha said :
This is why I now happily order and pick up my pizza from one of the many family run take-away stores around town. Calwell take-away have some of the (usually) nicest pizza’s I’ve had in Canberra since we used to frequent the Curtin take-away when I was a young lad. When you order a large pizza, it’s more than enough for two people, unlike the ‘large’ chain pizzas.
I tried to have a look at the Encore pizza website, but it doesn’t seem to offer much. I did end up pretending I was in Footscray to see their online ordering system (through Menulog) and it looks like they’ve got family pizzas from $10.90. Anyone know just how big they are?
Jungle Jim said :
The standard for a large Pizza was 13″ back when I was working for a pizza joint. Domino’s came on the scene and dropped theirs to 12″, along with Pizza Hut. Now they’re down to 11″.
Family size had gone the way of the dodo, but I think Encore have brought it back.
Six digit phone number is pretty cute too.
Keep in mind that a large pizza back then would be pretty much twice the size of the ‘large’ pizza’s the chains are pumping out these days.