Domino's has entered the stuffed crust arena with its new Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza, and we put it to the test. This review dives deep into the experience, from the initial unboxing and aroma to the final bite and overall value. We explore whether the Parmesan-filled crust lives up to the hype, comparing it to offerings from competitors like Papa John's, Hungry Howie's, and Pizza Hut. Did the cheesy crust deliver a satisfying punch, or did it fall flat? We also consider the accompanying Parmesan bread bites, assessing their flavor and value as a side dish.Our detailed analysis covers the pizza's appearance, texture, and most importantly, its taste. We examine the distribution of toppings, the quality of the sauce and cheese, and the overall dryness of the pizza. Ultimately, we'll deliver a verdict: is Domino's Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza a worthwhile indulgence, or should you stick to their classic pan pizza? Read on to discover our honest assessment and find out if this new offering earns its place in the stuffed crust pizza wars.
Pros And Cons
- Stuffed crust
- Parmesan and garlic seasoning on the crust
- Good presentation; toppings well-distributed
- Cheese inside the stuffed crust lacked flavor
- Main part of the pizza (cheese and sauce) was drier than a pan pizza
- Overall flavor was underwhelming and not mind-blowing
- Similar to Pizza Hut stuffed crust in lacking strong flavor
- Fairly good for the price
- Good with dipping sauces
- Not a lot of flavor by themselves
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First Impressions and Price
Domino's new Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza arrived in a pan pizza box, which initially raised concerns about the crust type. The aroma of parmesan cheese was immediately noticeable upon opening the box. Half of the pizza was topped with extra ham, and the other half with extra beef – two of my personal favorites.
The pizza originally cost $18.99, but a 50% off coupon reduced the price to $9.49. This made the purchase significantly more appealing.
Crust and Topping Analysis
The crust appeared to be hand-tossed, rather than pan, which is more common for stuffed crust pizzas. The visual inspection showed a generous amount of parmesan cheese stuffed within the crust.
The toppings (extra ham and extra beef) were evenly distributed across the pizza. The cheese and sauce, however, appeared slightly drier than on a standard pan pizza.
Taste Test and Sauce Pairings
The first bite revealed that the parmesan cheese in the stuffed crust lacked a strong, distinct flavor. The overall pizza, while decent, felt a bit dry compared to a pan pizza. The familiar Domino's taste was present.
The pizza was paired with garlic sauce and ranch dressing. The ranch was good, but the garlic butter was better suited to the crust.
Comparison with Other Brands
Compared to other stuffed crust pizzas, particularly Papa John's, the Domino's version fell short in terms of flavor. Papa John's offered more pronounced and distinct flavors in their stuffed crust variations.
Hungry Howie's stuffed crust pizza was also favored over Domino's due to a more intense flavor profile. While Pizza Hut was the pioneer of stuffed crust, its flavor wasn’t considered particularly memorable.
Side Item: Parmesan Bread Bites
A 16-piece order of Parmesan bread bites was included. At $5.99, these were among Domino's least expensive side items. They lacked a substantial flavor profile, but this could easily be improved by adding dipping sauces.
The bread bites provided a decent complement to the pizza and were relatively affordable. Similar to the pizza, the bread bites weren't exceptionally flavorful but were still a satisfactory choice.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Domino's Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza was deemed slightly underwhelming and disappointing compared to competitors. While the presentation and topping distribution were excellent, the flavor of the pizza and stuffed crust, particularly the parmesan, lacked intensity.
The pizza received a grade of C+ to B-, primarily due to the lack of substantial flavor, despite a decent texture. The reviewer would likely choose Domino's pan pizza over this stuffed crust version.