Who gives you the most pizza for your dollar on the MS Coast? We did the math
Money is tight, but pizza sure does sound really good right now.
The Mississippi Coast has no shortage of local pizza joints and everybody has a favorite. But with more folks paying closer attention to their budgets, it can be difficult to sift through the ovens to find the best value for your pie.
So we did the math for you. We took 15 pizza restaurants, 12 of which are local, and determined the price per square inch of cheesy Italian goodness for multiple sizes at each restaurant. There are 75 pizzas in the dataset between six different sizes and two topping variations.
In total, we math’d over 11,000 square inches of pizza, which is nowhere near as exciting as eating 11,000 square inches of pizza.
The sizes range from 10 to 20 inches, and for each one we tabulated the cost down to the surface area for both a cheese pizza and three-topping pizza.
We found a clear winner for value, as well as other notable results from the math. We also took a look at three major chains to determine which is better for your pocket.
Value in this context is a tad subjective considering quality can range. But we focus on quantity from your favorites for this purpose. Let’s break it down.
Serving up value since 1993
The top three lowest cost-per-square-inch (CPSI) pizzas on the Coast all belong to the same joint off Courthouse Road in Gulfport: Brooklyn Pizzeria.
That’s an impressive accomplishment considering there are over six dozen pizzas in the list. It’s also the only restaurant serving up a giant 20-inch pie, which takes two of the top three spots. The cheese variation paces all pizza at $0.04 per square inch with a base cost of just $14.
The three topping variation is a shade under $20 and has a CPSI of $0.06. That latter figure is lower than every other three topping pizza on the Coast. That is partly due to the size, of course, but Brooklyn’s 18-inch cheese pizza is the cheapest out of the six in its class ($13/$0.05).
Brooklyn’s is a go-to destination for New York style pizza. Plus the garlic knots are top tier, as well.
Hidden Value in Poplarville
On the outer bands of the Coast is a local pizza and pasta restaurant that hangs with Brooklyn’s in the value space more than anyone else. Deb’s Pizza offers a 16- and 18-inch cheese pizza that both for $0.06 per square inch.
It’s also the only restaurant that wins head-to-head with Brooklyn’s in any category, with its three topping 18-inch pizza selling for $17.99 beating Brooklyn’s $18.25 version and the 16-inch three-topper winning over Brooklyn’s at $15.99 to $16.50. The two combine for the five highest-value three-topping pizzas of the 37 in the data.
Located on South Main Street, Deb’s also serves it up buffet style and has occasional specials and deals.
The personal price
Just want a pizza for yourself? We plotted nine different 10-inch pies and found the chain restaurants to shine in this category.
The cheapest 10-inch cheese pizza comes from Domino’s at $8.99. That said, Brooklyn’s has a three-topping version for only $9.35. Factor in the toppings (and the fact it’s Brooklyn’s) and it’s a tough argument for the former to make toward the personal value crown.
There’s a wide margin between the two in the 10-inch, three-topping class, with Domino’s charging $13.49.
The 12-inch class of pizza has more variety. Deb’s, Pop’s Pizzeria in Biloxi and Antonio’s Pizzeria in Gautier all sell a cheeser for $9.99. It’s Pop’s that earns the top spot when three toppings are added at $12.96.
Be ready to pay the Sarducci way
C.A. Sarducci’s in Gulfport is in a slightly different class of dining, but they have pizza so they go on the list.
The most expensive 12 and 15-inch three topping pizzas come from the Italian restaurant. The highest known CPSI on the Coast belongs to the first of the two at $0.19. Competing in the same class are Uncle Joe’s ($0.17) and New York Pizza ($0.16).
Sarducci’s 15-inch and three topping pizza runs for $26. As a gross cost, it’s only bested by Uncle Joe’s 18-inch of the same topping class. But the latter’s CPSI is $0.05 lower than the former.
To chain or not to chain
We established the personal pan cheese pizzas from the chain restaurants are fair value. But what about the size required to feed the whole family?
Five of the highest 15 CPSIs are from pizza chains. In the data are Pizza Hut, Papa John’s and Domino’s. The 16-inch cheese from Domino’s is the only one out of the bunch found among the 15 lowest CPSI scores.
Domino’s is the most consistent winner in value in the chain group, but instead of paying $20.74 for a 16-inch, three-topping pizza before delivery fees and tip (if applicable) you could get the same at Italian Garden in Ocean Springs for $18.95.
The little choices add up.
Again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to pizza. There are other factors to consider, which always include garlic knots for me, and you should weigh your options thoroughly. That’s why we bring you the data, so you can make the best pizza decision for your wallet and your taste buds.
