Delivery Pasta Done Right

Published on Monday, May 12, 2008, by James Norton / Edit Post

What’s new? What’s great? What’s weird? Our columnist samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus.

Delivery Pasta
Done Right

Tuscani Pastas

By: Pizza Hut
Suggested Retail Price: $11.99
(price may vary by region)

TASTE:
****
MARKETING:
****

James Norton edits the Upper Midwestern food journal Heavy Table. He's also the coauthor of a book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers. For his Supertaster column, he samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus. You can follow him on Twitter and fan him on Facebook. His wife, Becca Dilley, takes the photographs for Supertaster. She specializes in weddings and food photography, and is the coauthor of and photographer for the book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers.

ALLSupertaster
POST A COMMENT |41 Comments

COMMENT

  • Why the videos? I find the reviews entertaining and informative but the videos often don't work and when they do, don't contain the same as the written.

    One suggestion- if you do video, can you do a text one alongside to cover all bases and types of fans?

  • Wow. Talk about high maintenance. There seems to be a number of people who seem to like Supertaster when he submits a written review but will crucify him at a drop of a hat for his videos. I don't understand the "You wasted 2 min. of my time." No you, yourself, wasted 2 min. of your time by deciding to watch the video. For the web, I find the quality of his videos fine... IT AIN'T TELEVISION...+READ

    Wow. Talk about high maintenance. There seems to be a number of people who seem to like Supertaster when he submits a written review but will crucify him at a drop of a hat for his videos. I don't understand the "You wasted 2 min. of my time." No you, yourself, wasted 2 min. of your time by deciding to watch the video. For the web, I find the quality of his videos fine... IT AIN'T TELEVISION FOLKS! Some of you folks need to relax. Also after reviewing all his videos, we can all seem to agree that Supertaster reviews regular, ordinary fare that a family may want to eat. I know lots of families who order from Pizza Hut. I don't think he will review the local Italian resto that caters to the gourmet crowd when he wants to reach as many viewers as possible. As for the video format as opposed to text.. if I may paraphrase Jim Gaffigan "You know what's best about (video)... no reading!"-COLLAPSE

  • that would be "beer", although a "bear bottle" might be worth a video as well.

  • rccola - that was hilarious. thank you.

    Videos are for watching things that cannot be easily described in words. I will watch a video of a bike crash. I will watch a video of how to open a bear bottle w/ a pen. But a food review is more easily consumed via written word.

  • Simultaneously post column and video. See how many click on each. What part of the country they're from. Write Obama and tell him the subsidies for schooling need to be higher where the video clicks cluster.

  • and ps I would also very much appreciate having the text back so that I can read while my boyfriend watches TV. can we just have both?

  • Mwliechty, MarkhamDee, Emm- you guys didn't get the joke. I believe tha Llessleyellen was making a (hilarious) joke about how the real editor, whoever he is, is totally ignoring all the comments. see? everyone's getting along now.

  • I can't comment on the video because it's NONEXISTENT.

    This is the umpteenth video page I've tried to view on Chow and... nothing.

    But having read on the all the negative reactions, perhaps I'm not missing out, anyway.

  • I can solve the problem with the videos... Do like they do on the "Bitten" column on NYTimes, do a regular written review (always witty, always well written, always appreciated) and add the Video review if you must. I'm sitting around work late today and watched the video, but most times, I'll just bail on the video. I realize that you guys are trying to appeal to the "YouTube" generation, but I...+READ

    I can solve the problem with the videos... Do like they do on the "Bitten" column on NYTimes, do a regular written review (always witty, always well written, always appreciated) and add the Video review if you must. I'm sitting around work late today and watched the video, but most times, I'll just bail on the video. I realize that you guys are trying to appeal to the "YouTube" generation, but I really, really like the witty, well done written reviews. Thanks!-COLLAPSE

  • The reviewer is drunk. Salt can taste good liqueured up. Btw, like you haven't done the math yet , it's bloody brown because it came outta a pizza oven ! I can't believe this requires pointing out...

  • I wholeheartedly enjoy the video reviews, thank you for embracing new media. I think the problem people have is that you are not articulate enough during the video reviews, however there is still a candid charm to it that the naysayers are dismissing.

  • last night I had to work late and had someone coming over for dinner. Called pizza hut on the way home from my meeting and stopped at the grocery for a bag of caesar salad. perhaps not chowish enough for some people, but it was a pretty decent meal along with a bottle of decent wine and it was on the table ready to eat 10 minutes after I walked in the door. can I do better on my own... probably -...+READ

    last night I had to work late and had someone coming over for dinner. Called pizza hut on the way home from my meeting and stopped at the grocery for a bag of caesar salad. perhaps not chowish enough for some people, but it was a pretty decent meal along with a bottle of decent wine and it was on the table ready to eat 10 minutes after I walked in the door. can I do better on my own... probably - given a half hour or 45 minutes, sometimes that's not an option.-COLLAPSE

  • so much hate for a video
    why not skip the column and come back if you don't like videos

  • If I ruled the world: 1) James would have pre-written a narrative for the video that would have captured his wonderful wit and style. 2) The actual tasting and evaluation would have pre-ceded the filming and given James more time to answer his own questions regarding the top-browning, and the viewers' need for specifics of pasta texture, salt content, etc. 3) James would have ordered from a few...+READ

    If I ruled the world: 1) James would have pre-written a narrative for the video that would have captured his wonderful wit and style. 2) The actual tasting and evaluation would have pre-ceded the filming and given James more time to answer his own questions regarding the top-browning, and the viewers' need for specifics of pasta texture, salt content, etc. 3) James would have ordered from a few different Pizza Huts to get a sense of quality control. 4) CHOW members would restrain from getting personal, and try to keep the comments constructive.

    Can I rule the world?-COLLAPSE

  • so much about he browning and marketing, but very little about the actual taste. I expected a bit more from someone calling themselves Supertaster. Was the pasta cooked al dente? mush? was it overly salty? (I would expect that) did it seem sweet? virtually no description of the taste and the food. of course the alfredo is creamy!

    any idiot can brown cheese in a hot pizza oven. I just don't...+READ

    so much about he browning and marketing, but very little about the actual taste. I expected a bit more from someone calling themselves Supertaster. Was the pasta cooked al dente? mush? was it overly salty? (I would expect that) did it seem sweet? virtually no description of the taste and the food. of course the alfredo is creamy!

    any idiot can brown cheese in a hot pizza oven. I just don't undersatnd the surprise there. I almost expected a pizza hut delivery guy to bring you an endorsement check at the end.-COLLAPSE

  • I don't think the concept of a video is bad per se, however, it could be executed a little better. I too don't necessarily want to watch someone eat on screen and talk about it. Showing the product, fine, but do the eating off screen. I also agree that it's a bit funny he's surprised about the browning of the pasta. If they're trying to market a "restaurant quality" pasta, then it would make...+READ

    I don't think the concept of a video is bad per se, however, it could be executed a little better. I too don't necessarily want to watch someone eat on screen and talk about it. Showing the product, fine, but do the eating off screen. I also agree that it's a bit funny he's surprised about the browning of the pasta. If they're trying to market a "restaurant quality" pasta, then it would make sense for them to have some browning action going on. Anyhow... good attempt! I'm sure the more he does, the more he'll get better by learning what works, what doesn't, how people feel about it, etc.-COLLAPSE

  • Count me in with those who far prefer text to video.

    That being said, I'm also in bewilderment as to why someone would order pasta from PH that they could just as easily (and probably more cheaply) make at home.

  • I'll be brave: I liked the video.

  • While his video reviews will in no way ever replace his witty and informative prose, I thought this was the best video review yet.

  • I like how approximately 90% of his facial muscles do not move. But yeah, the videos that I've seen drone on and on. Whereas the column is indeed entertaining and useful.

  • Without getting into what I think of the "Tuscani Pasta from Pizza Hut" idea, I will say that the pasta top looks exactly like their pizza top. And no wonder- it's the same blend of "cheese" cooked by the same factory-style heat source. I am sure that it will taste great to many many people, because their pizza tastes great to them, too. But there is nothing even remotely Italian about the way...+READ

    Without getting into what I think of the "Tuscani Pasta from Pizza Hut" idea, I will say that the pasta top looks exactly like their pizza top. And no wonder- it's the same blend of "cheese" cooked by the same factory-style heat source. I am sure that it will taste great to many many people, because their pizza tastes great to them, too. But there is nothing even remotely Italian about the way this pasta looks or is made (I can't comment on the taste), and I find the aforementioned "restaurant full of unsuspecting customers" commercial ludicrous and offensive. I did notice, however, that they did not cast an Italian-looking chef in the commercial, and the accent on the chef was definitely not Italian. Interesting.-COLLAPSE

  • Yeah... I also like how he's surprised by the browning. I guess he's under the impression that Pizza Hut uses microwaves for their pizza and breadsticks.

    Btw... browning on an alfredo is kinda off putting.

    I can think of something else that's brown and tastes about the same.

    I'd have to put his palette into question here. Two things that I can assume when I think about Pizza Hut are flavor...+READ

    Yeah... I also like how he's surprised by the browning. I guess he's under the impression that Pizza Hut uses microwaves for their pizza and breadsticks.

    Btw... browning on an alfredo is kinda off putting.

    I can think of something else that's brown and tastes about the same.

    I'd have to put his palette into question here. Two things that I can assume when I think about Pizza Hut are flavor and texture through high salt and high fat content.

    And I'd like to know (even though it would be safe to assume) if the pasta is overcooked.-COLLAPSE

  • loved the column, hate the video. You are so much more interesting and funny on paper.

  • The picture on the link, with the pasta going in his mouth, is what I find really off-putting. That's kind of gross.

  • To MarkhamDee: It looks like there's a link for email on the page, so perhaps it's a curious situation of everyone who dislikes the videos posting here publically, and everyone who likes the videos commenting exclusively (and privately) by email. Verrrrry interrrresting!

  • Here's a tip to Norton and his editor: If you insist on doing the videos despite the mass dislike for them, taste the food BEFORE going on camera, put your thoughts on a cue card and read them. That way you sound as if you put some thought into your review instead of making it up on the fly. If you want to taste the food again - on camera - fine.

  • lessleyellen: How do you get good feedback from people who like the videos, if they don't comment on the site? That appears to be the only way to directly provide feedback, unless I'm missing something.

    As for myself: I really can't comment much on the videos at all, since I've started to do most of my personal web surfing on my iPod Touch - and that means a big problem: neither the iPod Touch...+READ

    lessleyellen: How do you get good feedback from people who like the videos, if they don't comment on the site? That appears to be the only way to directly provide feedback, unless I'm missing something.

    As for myself: I really can't comment much on the videos at all, since I've started to do most of my personal web surfing on my iPod Touch - and that means a big problem: neither the iPod Touch nor iPhone currently support Flash.

    That means I can't see the videos at all.

    So, I would request - for those unable for technical reasons to watch the videos, and/or those unable to enjoy them because of a physical disability such as deafness - could a transcript or text summary be provided?-COLLAPSE

  • The thing I just don't get about the pasta to go concept is... pasta is so darn easy to make. Why pay someone else to do it and then have it delivered, when I can boil some water and make it fresh and hot at home without much effort at all. Pizza, sure I'll order that.... pasta, not so much.

  • Hate the new video format, but I love the column.

  • I ordered the Meaty Marinara pasta meal for my family a few weeks back. The pasta was horribly overcooked, and some of the meat in the sauce tasted off. I'd never buy it again. Frankly, you could do better buying some ground beef, some shredded mozzarella, a jar of sauce and a box penne and cooking it yourself... all within the time it would take for the order to be ready. You'd even save a few...+READ

    I ordered the Meaty Marinara pasta meal for my family a few weeks back. The pasta was horribly overcooked, and some of the meat in the sauce tasted off. I'd never buy it again. Frankly, you could do better buying some ground beef, some shredded mozzarella, a jar of sauce and a box penne and cooking it yourself... all within the time it would take for the order to be ready. You'd even save a few bucks cooking your own.-COLLAPSE

  • Hi folks,
    Jim's editor here. We do get good feedback from people who like the videos, they just don't comment on the site. Only negative comments get posted on the site about the videos. So that's mysterious, but hopefully I've cleared up the mystery of why we keep doing videos.

  • Let's just say if this column began as a video review, I would not still be clicking on it.

  • Am I going to have to actually try pasta from Pizza Hut now? Very interesting!

  • I like the ad on Pizza Huts web site. "Feeds 4 and comes with 5 breadsticks". Can I order 1.2 breadsticks at the restaurant?

  • Norton here, with a quick remark. The reason why I was so bowled over by the browning is that the vast, vast majority of fast food / mass-market food I eat that could profit from a nice, carbon-y, legitimately broiled top lacks that top. Why? I have to assume it's an expensive additional step when done on a mass scale. But having the texture and chemical changes imparted by a true browned top...+READ

    Norton here, with a quick remark. The reason why I was so bowled over by the browning is that the vast, vast majority of fast food / mass-market food I eat that could profit from a nice, carbon-y, legitimately broiled top lacks that top. Why? I have to assume it's an expensive additional step when done on a mass scale. But having the texture and chemical changes imparted by a true browned top makes all the difference with a dish like this -- turns it from an undifferentiated mass into something with some substance.-COLLAPSE

  • At least he didn't do the review in his car this time.

  • They covered the pizza in pizza cheese and then stuck it in the oven. And then, amazingly, the cheese browned.

    And I second the pleas for the text version of Supertaster. This is one of my favorite CHOW columns, but while I like the author, I don't care for the videos. It's much easier to kill time on a boring conference call if it's something you can read.

  • Why was he so surprised about the browning? I don't get it.
    I love the 30 rock reference though!

  • Yeah, what Nfinite said. You took up two minutes of my time to pass along 2 seconds of content: "The pasta is good." Did you actually get ANY positive comments on the idea of doing the video reviews the last time? If so, I didn't see any.

  • Please, please, PLEASE stop doing video reviews. If you're trying to add some additional media to the column, add pictures, but the video reviews turn what could (and should) be a quick, interesting read into a boring video with poor sound quality. The sound, incidentally, means I have to go search for headphones, since I don't like to make everyone around me listen to someone with his mouth full...+READ

    Please, please, PLEASE stop doing video reviews. If you're trying to add some additional media to the column, add pictures, but the video reviews turn what could (and should) be a quick, interesting read into a boring video with poor sound quality. The sound, incidentally, means I have to go search for headphones, since I don't like to make everyone around me listen to someone with his mouth full of food trying to talk. Ick.-COLLAPSE

  • Thank Goodness I wasn't the only one who thought the meaty Marinara was pretty OK.