One More Reason to Live Near Campus

I should start by telling you that I, Adam, am writing this post. Jessica is watching "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" that we got from the Library and simply can't be pulled away. When it comes to the success of this Blog, though, I am determined. And I am unanimous in this.

Well, if you've been paying attention to the comments on last week's post, the topic of today's post should come as no surprise. While it is probably true that there is no one thing loved by everybody, we believe there are many things that are loved by most people, and those who don't love those things are just being contrary, or are clinically insane. One of these "many things" is the topic of discussion today, namely pizza.

Campus Pizza, that is.

Found at 7610 112 St. NW, (780) 434-4414, this little, pink hole-in-the-wall pizza place no bigger than your thumb delivers the goods, pun intended. This is not authentic Italian pizza or hoity toity artisan pizza by any means. This is down-home, dirty, deep dish, unabashedly North American pizza.

On Wednesday night we had a hankering for some pizza that was not of the usual, homogenous, familiarly flavoured, franchise variety. We decided to order from Campus Pizza, a place whose pizza we have often had the pleasure of eating, but, for some reason, never ordering ourselves. It will now be a staple of the Robertson household, let me assure you.

Now the prices are very reasonable. Most weekdays there is some sort of deal to be had. But on Wednesday it just so happened that we accidentally took advantage of their special offer on their House Special (fully loaded). We ordered a large half hawaiian/half house special (yup, two pizzas in one) for pickup and they told us that that would be $17.33 and ready in 20-25 minutes. I'm sorry? What was that price again? Move over Panago! I arrived in 22 minutes to find the steaming, succulent disc sitting on the back counter, not yet sliced.

By the time I got home, the pizza was almost still too hot for consumption. This was probably due to the overwhelming amount of cheese acting as insulation for the equally overwhelming amount of toppings. I feel the need for a sidebar here, however pretentious this may sound.

I'm aware that "Chicago Deep Dish Pizza" has long held a reputation for loading their pizzas with toppings. This reputation is justly deserved, those pizzas are loaded, to say the least. They are, however, loaded to a level of grotesque over-indulgence that makes eating their pizza a chore and not an enjoyment. Part of enjoying pizza, I dare say, is the ability to eat multiple slices. If you can do more than two slices of "Chicago Deep Dish", Jillian Michaels should probably pay you a visit.

Back to the awesomeness that is Campus Pizza. Where to begin?

1. Tons of sweet, unbearably stringy cheese

2. Mounds of toppings that are flavourful and enjoyable, not a tiresome, gut-busting gauntlet like a Carnegie Deli sandwich

3. High next-day-reheat value (this is a must for pizza with true staying power)

4. Square slices. So much fun.

So, in conclusion: taking time and price into account, this is one of the better pizza deals in the Strathcona area. Taking quality into account, it's one of the best. Sure our perennial favourite Domino's has that behemoth of a marketing promotion that gives people with valid student IDs 50% off the regular price, but for an extra $6 or so this place has taken me hook, line, and pie.