Where are they now: Pizza Hut
Although I no longer read my mother’s trashy magazines I *may* read one or two when at the hairdressers. Vogue Schmogue. Give me WHO Weekly. Or OK! magazine. Or similar. There’s nothing like bitching about the latest celebs and their dodgy fashion choices, too fat/thin (or both!) bodies or drunken exploits while I’m sitting in a chair facing a mirror with foil sticking out of my head.
I particularly like the ‘Where are they now?’ stories about stars of my childhood. Many have gone to ruin (haven’t we all?!) while others have made lives for themselves outside of the entertainment industry.
I was reminded of the concept last week when I saw a ‘sponsored tweet’ pop up on my Twitter feed. (Bloody ads!)
It was for Pizza Hut.
“Awww….,” I thought, “I didn’t even know Pizza Hut still existed.”
It brought back some memories. When I was a kid – other than the arrival of its fast-food competitor, KFC – Pizza Hut was big business in my regional Queensland hometown. Indeed, it was THE place to go. My own family had special dinners there (other than Pizza Hut, I’d only ever been to two restaurants – both times at the Gold Coast with rellies – before I went to Uni. We didn’t seem to dine out in those days!)
And of course when we were old enough my friends and I would dine at the plastic checked tablecloths – excited by the garlic bread and jugs of soft drink on offer). As we’re talking 1980s we had to make sure someone took their calculator so we could divide up the bill at the end. No need for subtlety. It didn’t occur to us that it was a bit naff.
Years later, after the advent of many many rivals, the Pizza Hut in my hometown disappeared. In fact, I don’t know if they even offer dine-in options nowadays? Of course pizza’s also gone upmarket and there’s a myriad of gourmet pizza restaurants and takeaways on offer.
Nonetheless, this shocked the hell out of me. I mean, I know times are hard but this was just frightening!
I mean, I know the discount pizza war has hotted up since my childhood cos (in Brisbane) I used to often see some poor sucker with a megaphone wearing a Dominos Pizza sandwich board. But I’m struck by two things…
1. The fact that an entire pizza is cheaper than a cup of coffee (and what that says about its ingredients!)
2. Who on earth would go to Pizza Hut just to buy coffee?
Scary much? Or perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps it offers value for money for families, Uni students and those watching their pennies?
PS. I’m not meaning to ‘diss’ Pizza Hut coffee, perhaps it’s delicious. I’m not a coffee drinker but most I know are very particular about their brew!
Are you a lover of pizza? What’s your fave takeaway / delivery / dine-in option? Some quaint local place; or do you visit the chains?
Would you buy pizza that’s cheaper than coffee. Or coffee from a pizza shopfront?
Am again joining the LaughLinkUp gang.
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Char
July 14, 2014I had no idea Pizza Hut did coffee. But how can a pizza be cheaper than it? Makes no sense at all.
Debbish
July 14, 2014I know!!! Am sure there must be fine print. In fact I HOPE there is fine print. Like, you only get the base or something.
Lee-Anne
July 14, 2014It’s bizarre the marketing lengths they go to! Dominoes have mainly replaced Pizza Hut in Sydney… but without sounding too much the ‘pompous foodie’, I prefer pizza parlours that specialise in pizzas and cafes that specialise in coffee. Cheaper than coffee, what does that say about the PIZZAS?! 🙂
Debbish
July 14, 2014I know!
I lived near a Dominos in Brissy so often went there (also cos they have a GF range and did a creamy cherry tomato thing I quite liked). I’m actually not much of a pizza person – it’s probably my least favourite takeaway!
sydneygen
July 14, 2014Haha someone forgot the comma!
Debbish
July 14, 2014Ha! You think?
Surely Sarah
July 14, 2014Perhaps they mean that their pizzas are equivalent to the price of others’ cups of coffee? Though god knows who is charging $4.95 for one!
Most dine-in Pizza Huts have closed down (they’re focusing on their home delivery business model I guess), but I believe the one in Toowoomba is still going strong! Ah, so many memories…
Debbish
July 14, 2014Yes – perhaps they’re still around in small towns… (just not mine!) 😉
Ed @ The Tunnel
July 14, 2014Next time you get the urge I believe there is still a dine-in Pizza Hut in Gympie. Just up the road, really.
Debbish
July 14, 2014Oh my god! Really? Hmmm… guess we are talking Gympie – suspect it passes for fine dining there.
(PS. As a Maryborough girl I’m allowed to diss Gympie. Or Rockhampton. In fact it’s practically compulsory that we make fun of each other!)
lightersideofparenting
July 14, 2014Maybe it’s just a margerita. Coffee’s become really expensive but flour, tomato paste and dried herbs are still pretty cheap!
Debbish
July 14, 2014That’s true. Am sure there’s a catch!
Ness
July 14, 2014There is a Pizza Hut around the corner from where I live, a less than five minute walk. It’s take away only. I hate it but my boys always beg me to get it. I don’t remember going there as teen but my husband took me to The Black Stump on one of our first dates. Classy.
Debbish
July 15, 2014Ha! I often frequented the Dominos near where I used to live – it was about 150m away… so I understand the ‘handiness’ dilemma.
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
July 14, 2014I used to love it when Pizza Hut turned into all you can eat for a certain amount, my record was like 5 pieces of pizza and 9 desserts, I was young and eager! As a kid I used to LOVE the jugs of fizzy! SO COOL! Thanks for linking!
Debbish
July 14, 2014Thanks Em.
Mark @ fullhalfglass.com
July 14, 2014We love Pizza hut and all it stands for. Along with KFC, Nando’ McDonalds and Hungry Jacks makes up my family’s five fast food groups.
Debbish
July 14, 2014I’m coeliac but have to admit one of the things I miss most is KFC: Best. Hangover. Food. Ever!
Jess
July 14, 2014There is still a dine in Pizza Hut near me in Sydney! It is one of those all you can eat buffets. $5 bucks for pizza seems crazy cheap. But coffee in Sydney is also stupidly over priced!
Debbish
July 14, 2014True. And I must admit I remember the Dominos near me in Brissy often had very low prices.
I usually ignored the specials as I had to pay about $3 on top of any price for a gluten-free pizza base anyway!
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
July 14, 2014Umm…no thank you…I’ll stick to my coffee. It’s still a dollar cheaper and is less likely to kill me compared to the pizza. {I’m not referring to authentic woodfire pizzas here…}
Debbish
July 15, 2014Ah no… definitely not!
Susan Lattwein
July 15, 2014My first memory of a family restaurant outing was Pizza Hut, SO novel and posh we all dressed up, and my parents had to buy a bottle of Blue Nun at the drive-thru’ bottle shop on the way.
But it did feel special.
Debbish
July 16, 2014Yes – such a big outing…. back in the day!