Should You Really Avoid These 5 Missouri Pizza Chains?

Earlier this year, 24/7 Wall St. published an article about avoiding five pizza chains that scored low according to reviews on five food blogs and websites. They acknowledged the folly of the question, which didn't stop them from writing the article. Frankly, I think they missed the mark.

They named Domino's, Papa Murphy's, Little Caesars, CiCi's, and Chuck E. Cheese as pizza places to avoid. Distilling everything down to common criticisms, the biggest reason they cite to avoid these chains is low quality or inferior ingredients. There were other nits to pick, like crust texture, off-putting cheese consistency, cost, and overall lack of consistency.

And yet, they knew people like me might disagree; they write, "Given the intensity of differing viewpoints, it is with no lack of trepidation that we foray into the topic of pizza chains." I will now share my thoughts on the matter.

First, what are we dealing with here? How will the pizza be eaten, and is the primary purpose of going to said restaurant really for the pizza?

Let's be honest: Is anyone taking their kids to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza? Sure, the kids might think it's a big deal. They might like the pizza, too. When I was a kid, going to Chuck E. Cheese, the pizza was OK, but really, you were there for the video games, the animatronics, the fun—not the pizza. I don't remember the pizza at Chuck E. Cheese, so it wasn't that good. You're going to Chuck E. Cheese despite the pizza, right?

Little Caesars. I've always thought it's good for what is now a $6.79 pizza. If I want a hot pizza now and don't want to go home and cook a frozen pizza, or I don't want to go home and have a pizza delivered, or I don't want to pay for that, it's acceptable. It's also great when you have those pizza cravings and not a lot of cash. I've never had an authentic Detroit-style deep-dish pizza, but for $10-$12, those might be the most tasty item on the menu. Little Caesars is pizza for when you don't want to cook or spend a lot of cash, bottom line.

I haven't been to a CiCi's in 15 years, but I thought the pizza was OK when I went. The location I went to had excellent customer service as well. If they didn't have the pizza you wanted on the buffet, they'd make it for you and put it out there. That's pretty good. If I had a beef with the CiCi's I went to, it's that they didn't keep up with clearing and cleaning tables. Once again, what's the expectation when you show up at a moderately priced pizza buffet?

The last two on the list are Papa Murphy's and Dominio's. Domino's has made a big deal of improving its pizzas. They made a big deal out of their reformulated sauce. Sorry, Domino's, that sauce is one reason I stopped ordering. I also experienced some customer service issues with my local store, so I just stopped going there.

I was surprised to see Papa Murphy's on this list. I've never had a bad pizza experience with Papa Murphy's take-and-bake pizzas. I like their sausage, and the three-cheese blend is delicious. In my mind, it's the chain that can deliver the closest pizza to the thin-crust pizza and the stuffed pizza I grew up with in Chicago. Don't get me wrong; it doesn't beat those pizzas; it's an excellent substitute for them.

Of course, it's all in the eye of the beholder. Sure, I will get Little Caesars when I want a cheap pizza. Papa Murphy's when I want a stuffed Chicago-style pizza. And should I get invited to a birthday party for a little family member at Chuck E. Cheese, I'll choke down the pizza while dominating the air hockey table. I can't say the same for Domino's and CiCi's, yet I can't tell you I'll never eat there again either.

The bottom line is, eat the pizza you like from the pizza places you want, whether they're on this list or not. That's a statement I can get behind.