Local authorities were inundated with calls from concerned residents last Friday afternoon, when a man was spotted stumbling out of two neighborhood pizzerias, covered in marinara. First responders quickly arrived on scene, and the suspect– a CSUN student– exhibited rather atypical compliance in accordance with that of a guilty criminal.
Much to the surprise of paramedics, the CSUN student repeatedly refused to accept any medical aid, stating that despite his distraught appearance, he was uninjured. Perplexed by the hullabaloo, the young man opened one of the crimson-stained cardboard boxes he had been clutching in his hands, and casually retrieved a leftover slice of Margherita pizza. The student admitted that his dishevelment was a result of his personal quest to determine which pizzeria reigned supreme in Northridge: PizzaRev, or Pieology.
PizzaRev had all but solidified their foothold within the realm of collegiate pizza consumption, when Pieology moved in on PizzaRev’s turf in late June. On that fateful day, the battle of the ‘zas unofficially commenced, leaving a community of hungry stomachs at odds. Although the competing dough-slingers continue to do business a short distance apart from one another, PizzaRev– the senior of the two– may have the upperhand, but Pieology is quickly catching on.
At first glance, both restaurants could be mistaken for separate storefronts of the same franchise. Both pizzerias employ similar techniques for stretching dough, and both pizzerias own virtually indistinguishable (gas) brick-top ovens. Both pizzerias have implemented the Subway/Chipotle menu methodology for patrons to customize their orders, and both pizzerias cater to gluten-intolerant and vegan diets.
Despite the similarities, one has to come out on top. Let’s take a look at how these two doughy-dynamos stack up against each other:
PIEOLOGY
Location
9118 Reseda Blvd. (corner of Reseda & Nordhoff)
Pros
Spacious & clean interior, plenty of parking
No frills, affordable ($8.25/pizza, $10 w/ reg. beverage)
Generous on toppings
Cons
Gas-fed oven (not wood) cooks pizzas @ 500 degrees
50/50 canned to fresh ingredients
Dough ball press, not hand-stretched
What Makes Them Unique
Total time from order to pick up: 6 min. w/ 8-person+ line
Food Ordered
Base– Herb butter (sauce less)
Cheese(s)– Mozzarella & Ricotta
Toppings– Bacon & Jalapeño
Comments
No rise (yeast) in the dough or crust, which was cracker-like
A little greasy with butter spread
Drowning in cheese
Lacks ingenuity, the novelty of the Chipotle assembly line is played-out
Pies could feed 1-2 people, 10” approximately
Overall: 6.5/10
PIZZAREV
Location
9420 Reseda Blvd. (next to Bun Me!)
Pros
More extensive ingredient options
Adequate topping proportions
Smaller dining area, but available outside seating, vegan cheese
Cons
Smaller pizza, 8” personal size
Same style oven, and same style dough press
Disorganized pick-up/order stations
Claim to Fame
Gluten Free pizza crust
Food Ordered
Base– White Sauce (Alfredo)
Cheese(s)– Mozzarella & Ricotta
Toppings– Chorizo & Red Onion
Comments
Not as greasy as Pieology
White Sauce was too thick/heavy, and chorizo was inedible
More user/customer friendly
Better crust
Overall: 7/10
Winner: PizzaRev (by a slim margin)
