Hands Down The Best Ever

Try to think of the best pizza you've ever eaten.  For some of you it might be easy.  It's right there.  On the tip of your tongue.  It was so good it had to be the best you've ever eaten.  For the rest of you it might be tough.  Maybe one time something was so great but the next time fell flat, thus tainting the overall experience of that place.  Maybe there are just so many things that you like about different pizzas and places it's hard to narrow down.  For those of you who can't decide....I pity you.  You've never had Pirrone's.

Now I know what you're going to say: there's no way anyone can say that one place is better than any of the others; it's too subjective; what gives you the right to decide....fine.  But Pirrone's is the best pizza anyway.  Those of you who disagree are just wrong.  Deal with it.

The original Pirrone's, or at least the one I think is the original, is off Washington Street in Florissant, MO.  Pretty close to the best bowling alley ever....Dick Weber Lanes (this is definitely not debatable).  My experience with Pirrone's is vast.  I've had it cold, reheated, fresh, burnt, under-cooked, weird toppings, the regulars, in a buffet, takeout, eat in.....pretty much every way I can think of.  I've had it at least once a year for every year of my life after 1st grade, including the years while I was away for college.

Growing up my parents never got it.  It was just too damn expensive (and still is).  BJ's, Elicia's, and Domino's ruled the household.  Those never disappointed but they never transported me to another dimension like Pirrone's did.  In grade school my only experience was through Ryan Moore. He'd get it at least 3 times a month with his family and they'd always have leftovers.  Those leftovers would make their way into his lunch the following day where they would be put on the trading block.  Who had the goods to win the greatest pizza ever?  I was always stocked with chocolate donuts, fruit snacks of all kinds, Doritos even.....whatever it took to get that pizza.  Sometimes I didn't have the right stuff though.  Sad days.  Had to wait it out to see if anyone put it "up for grabs" at the end of lunch because they were too full.  I was never too full.

As I got older I started seeking it out on my own.  The price is worth it if you can afford it.  That thin crust, crunchy yet chewy.  The sweet and a little spicy sauce, never too much, never too little.  The most perfect pieces of pepperoni this mouth has ever tasted.  The cheese......oh my God the cheese!  A pepperoni pizza from Pirrone's is the best pizza ever.  No contest.  It hits on many levels, not just tasting amazing.  The memories, the future, the present.  Your whole life explodes with each bite.  You think of the glory days of your youth.  How good it tastes in the moment.  And for God's sake don't ever close and deprive the world of your tasty goodness.  I salute you Pirrone's.  You've done it.  You've made me a believer since day one and there's nothing anyone can say or do to change my mind.  I'm always up for the challenge though.....