[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Totally agree. In addition, we must not forget the Sicilian pizzas, which are not deep dish, but also not Neapolitan. They're their own amazing animal of thick, airy-inside crunchy-bottom dough, with lots of sauce, and slices of mozzarella (rather than shredded mozz), usually baked in a rectangular pan instead of circular.

Most of the Sicilian pizza I've had used shredded cheese, not slices...

Margherita pizza is the one that typically uses sliced cheese...

As does Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. These pizzas use sliced Mozzarella as a "moisture barrier", separating the sauce from the crust. The sauce is typically on top of the cheese...

Examples of pizza with sliced cheese:

"Sliced mozzarella is becoming an increasingly popular choice, thanks to its ease of use, full spread, and a rise in demand for pizzas that apply sauce on top of the cheese. Using whole slices also allows for greater consistency and, for some pizza eaters, a more enjoyable mouthfeel.

For these types of pizzas, having sliced mozzarella directly on the crust provides a moisture barrier to the sauce while also acting as a “glue” for the remaining sauce and toppings. Using shredded or diced mozzarella for this purpose often results in all the sauce and toppings sliding off the crust after the first bite—a definite bummer!

Common examples of sauce-over-cheese pizzas include Chicago deep dish pizza, Detroit-style pizza, Sicilian upside-down pizza, and Grandma pizza, a Long Island classic where, similarly to Sicilian pizza, the pizza is baked in a square sheet pan with the sauce on top. Grandma pizza earned its peculiar name because the Italian immigrants who first made them rarely did so outside the house."

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

I never said it wasn't good. I agree, it's quite tasty. It's just not "pizza"...

Guess we have something that we can agree to disagree about

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong...

By now, you should be used to being wrong.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Do not think I have seen sicilian style here. Not my first choice but still good

The Villages is basically an ethnic food desert. Ain't nothin decent here if you're looking for anything resembling what you had "back home," unless "back home" was chain restaurants.

Outside The Villages there are options - such as the real bonafide and truly tasty taqueria on 301. And the Indian restaurant in Mt. Dora. I haven't yet found a decent falafel joint but I'm told there's one up in Ocala I need to check out.

For Sicilian pizza, I've found one in Boynton Beach. AND - wonder of wonders - Pepe's of New Haven (yes, THAT Pepe's Apizza) has opened a pizza joint in Delray Beach, near my dad and sister. Next time I'm down there (next month) I plan on checking them out. If they have a white clam, I'm getting it. If it's as good as I remember, I'll buy another one half-baked and frozen to take back with me to The Villages for another night. I may have to start a delivery service of half-baked frozen Pepe's pizzas for the neighborhood.

[Two Bills]

I never did like bagels.
Not even a bagel bakery bagel.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The Villages is basically an ethnic food desert. Ain't nothin decent here if you're looking for anything resembling what you had "back home," unless "back home" was chain restaurants.

Outside The Villages there are options - such as the real bonafide and truly tasty taqueria on 301. And the Indian restaurant in Mt. Dora. I haven't yet found a decent falafel joint but I'm told there's one up in Ocala I need to check out.

For Sicilian pizza, I've found one in Boynton Beach. AND - wonder of wonders - Pepe's of New Haven (yes, THAT Pepe's Apizza) has opened a pizza joint in Delray Beach, near my dad and sister. Next time I'm down there (next month) I plan on checking them out. If they have a white clam, I'm getting it. If it's as good as I remember, I'll buy another one half-baked and frozen to take back with me to The Villages for another night. I may have to start a delivery service of half-baked frozen Pepe's pizzas for the neighborhood.

I finally discovered the taqueria out on 301 - finally authentic and awesome street tacos near The Villages, similar to what we had out West. I’m more ethnic than meat-and potato restaurant-goer, and I agree that it’s been challenging to find good ethnic restaurants within the bubble (but I knew and accepted that when I moved here). I keep meaning to check out the Indian place in Ocala, as everyone I have spoken with highly recommended it. I agree that Pizza here is mediocre at best, but I can really take or leave pizza, usually only eating it once or twice a year. What I miss is truly good, authentic Asian restaurants that aren’t fusion, and not overly-Americanized with sugary sauces and fried and breaded proteins (think Panda Express). Luckily, we are close to great ethnic options in Orlando and Tampa.

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

I never did like bagels.
Not even a bagel bakery bagel.

A crumpet guy, huh?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

I never did like bagels.
Not even a bagel bakery bagel.

OK more for the rest of us

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I finally discovered the taqueria out on 301 - finally authentic and awesome street tacos near The Villages, similar to what we had out West. I’m more ethnic than meat-and potato restaurant-goer, and I agree that it’s been challenging to find good ethnic restaurants within the bubble (but I knew and accepted that when I moved here). I keep meaning to check out the Indian place in Ocala, as everyone I have spoken with highly recommended it. I agree that Pizza here is mediocre at best, but I can really take or leave pizza, usually only eating it once or twice a year. What I miss is truly good, authentic Asian restaurants that aren’t fusion, and not overly-Americanized with sugary sauces and fried and breaded proteins (think Panda Express). Luckily, we are close to great ethnic options in Orlando and Tampa.

They really are an awesome taqueria! This guy agreed with me and joined me at my table for lunch.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

By now, you should be used to being wrong.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

A crumpet guy, huh?

Muffins actually old chap!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Muffins actually old chap!

I would have guessed biscuits

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

By now, you should be used to being wrong.

Sadly, no... I rarely agree with with people who are wrong...

[JMintzer]

The amount of food snobbery on this thread is quite telling...

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

The amount of food snobbery on this thread is quite telling...

May I ask what you mean?