Are Independent Pizzerias Always Better Than National Chains? (includes a poll)

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We saw this sign in the window of a pizza joint in a Florida city recently and decided that it suggested a provocative question: are independent pizzerias always better than big pizza chains like Domino's or Pizza Hut?

Now, "always" is a really big word. Is an independent pizzeria somewhere in the United States worse than the big pizza chains? Almost certainly yes. There are some truly bad independent pizzerias in our country. What about regional chains, like Rehoboth Beach's Grotto Pizza or suburban Maryland's Ledo Pizza, as opposed to the national chains? Are regional chains better than the national chains and also better than independent pizzerias?

So, maybe the question should be, "are independent pizzerias USUALLY better than big chains?"

What do you think about independent pizzerias vs. pizza chains? (click on your favorite answer)

• Independent pizzerias are always better
• Independent pizzerias are usually better
• Pizza chains are always better
• Pizza chains are usually better

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We would answer this way: no national chains for us. We haven't eaten at a national chain pizza restaurant since our kids were too young to know the difference. In Delmarva, our choice is always one of the great independent pizzerias we will review (eventually) on this web site. When we lived in New Jersey, there were so many great independent pizzerias that we never even considered a national chain. However, when we lived in Washingon, D.C. and its suburbs early in our relationship, we were forced sometimes to rely on pizza chains for delivery because there were no other options.

Now that we have choices, we always choose the independent pizzerias. But we're not making a statement or taking a position. We enjoy the independent pizzerias. Are we missing out? Has chain pizza technology advanced so much since we last tried it that we are depriving ourselves of delicious pizza for no good reason?! Will our lives be changed by stuffed crusts and dipping sauces? We doubt it. But we could be wrong.

What do you think? Please vote in the poll above and post a comment below.