Pizza etiquette

[firstofallimadelight]

In-laws bought a pizza oven last year so almost every visit now involves pizza. I do like pizza but only really margarita. Ils put thick chunks of veg on their pizzas that don’t cook and shield the dough underneath so you end up with soggy pizza. They also dont ask what toppings people want. This time I said could one pizza be plain and they looked at me like I had two heads!! They did make it but then made a deal of handing me my ‘special’ pizza (I’m willing to bet I’m not the only one who would have preferred it!)
I think pizza is like sandwiches people should get a say in what they want.
Dh thinks it’s weird to request a pizza topping (and clearly so do mil and fil)

am I unreasonable to ask for a specific topping?

Not at all!

We put everything in bowls, so people can to their own!

YANBU at all. Of course you should get to choose pizza toppings! That’s the whole point of a pizza.

If people didn't choose their toppings, why have menus in restaurants?

How often do you visit?

We have a pizza oven. My husband always asks people what toppings they want.

Are they not aware of the fact that Dominos has a menu???

Id make a big deal of shouting 'SPECIAL PIZZA FOR ME THANKS' not worry about being given 'special pizza'.

They should ask, a good host definitely would, but they obviously find it rude that you asked, so I wouldn't ask again. I'd choke down what I could and stop off for a burger on the way home.

Margarita is the best pizza!! And what is the point of having a pizza oven if you only cook what you want

Isn’t part of the fun with those things being able to make your own? Have a little selection of things and then people pick and choose?

you’re only unreasonable if you keep insisting that your favourite isn’t there- so muttering about wanting pepperoni when there quite obviously isn’t any.

Can we have a 'pineapple on pizza' side-debate? 🍕 🍍
Ham + pineapple = 😋
But I have Italian friends for whom this is as bad as insulting their grandmother (which I don't do, obvs 👍)

I think it's more weird just to stick food in front of people without at least asking them if they want it. Especially with something like pizza, plain should be the default with the toppings being optional.

Basically they're just poor hosts.

There’s no way I could eat soggy pizza, I’d be asking them to put it back in the oven if they insist on dictating the toppings and telling them why.

YANBU.

My mother adds toppings to good quality shop pizzas to make them 'more of a meal'. Very thin slices of mushroom - fine. Adding lots of toppings plus thick slices of whatever cheese is in the fridge - not so much...

God they'd hate me. I only eat pizza if it has anchovies on it. I'm not burning through loads of carbs, fat and stuff unless it actually tastes of something. IMO anchovies are the point of pizza.

So I'd happy have my "special pizza" and insist on all the fishy goodness.

Or just bring a salad.

“Oh goodness, look, mine seems to be uncooked, do you think? Could you put it back for a bit more cooking time?”

Once or twice a month. I would say 1 in 3 visits is pizza (they did pause on December/January but started up again in February)

You can’t stand the woman and according to your other thread you have on the go about this dinner - your mil was horrible to you and your son. So clearly there’s quite a back drop

basically - don’t go around there anymore. Simple really

I got my ooni a couple of years ago and love using it, the family prefer it to bbq when they come round in the summer.

i always prepare the base then add toppings to order. We use to let everyone make their own, some still like todo this, but others find (like your ILs ) that they are heavy handed with toppings, “less is best” is the mantra with toppings.

we do sometimes light the bbq and the ooni, and do shredded chicken / pork / beef which we add the the pizza ! We have a small gas bbq which the grandchildren like todo sausages on for hotdogs (well grandad cooks )

anyway - no it’s not at all unreasonable to request what you like. I personally think a plain margarita is the best, and will have one cut into slices to share while people wait for their specials.

that’s something else - when doing pizza parties do you cook a pizza individually for everyone, or do you cut and share. We sort of do both, some bigger ones to cut and share and smaller ones for request

This is the thing, if I was insisting on wood smoked cheddar or something I would get it. But actually I want nothing bar the passata and cheese (maybe a few herbs or pepper)

why would any host serve any guest something they don't like?

I love pineapple on my pizza but not ham (vegetarian) I love blue cheese and pineapple

Now I’m fine with fruit in savoury- pomegranate in cous cous for example. But pineapple on pizza or gammon for that matter is gross!!

The problem is if you over stack a pizza the bits not covered in veg cook quickly and get near to burning whilst the veg and dough underneath is still raw 😞

i also pimp up shop pizza but the trick is to add the toppings half way through the cooking time,to add things that are at room temperature and to only add things that don't require actual cooking, only heating and crisping...and yeah not shedloads.