Reaching into the box of destiny, my younger son picks out… Big Y pizza. This isn’t a pizza restaurant with the name, “Big Y Pizza”; it’s the pizza at Big Y Supermarket. This is continuing on the tradition of the previous box picks of the Sagamore Inn on Cape Cod, Ole Mole in Stamford, and Brookside Cafe in Preston, Connecticut.
For those readers new to the “box pick” series, let me introduce you to it. It began about 30 years ago on half days from school. My grandmother would take me out to eat. As a fun activity, I placed names of restaurants in a box to randomize the selection of dining choices. As the years progressed, names were added to this. Many of the original restaurants are defunct (case in point–the Brookside Cafe) but are still included in the box.
I can remember when Big Y pizza was added to the box. In the mid-1990s, Big Y Supermarket relocated across the town of Norwich into a new, much larger facility. In this expanded state, Big Y added the option to buy whole pies or pizza slices, as well as grinders. This was a novel concept at a time when most stores included just a traditional deli, not made-to-order meals like these. We didn’t order the pizza often, but I remember it being quite good.
In the present tense
In the present day, I was not unhappy that Tommy picked out Big Y pizza. For one, most of the restaurants in the box are at least in Eastern Connecticut, if not farther, which means they take a while to accomplish. With this, there is a Big Y located in the next town over from me in Kingston, Massachusetts (location was not specified on the strip of paper).
I was planning on ordering one night soon. On an October weekend though, my plans were thwarted. Arriving at my niece’s birthday I was surprised to see that the meal du jour was… Big Y pizza! My mission came to me in a cardboard box. Grabbing two slices along with some salad, I filled my plate. This pizza was of the large party pack variety–a sheet pizza with many slices.
The pizza itself was very good. The cheese, dough, and sauce all complemented each other nicely. It may not have been the best slice I’ve ever had, but it certainly sufficed. The pizza is overall quite good and I would definitely have it again. For a party, the pizza was perfect. It was short on price and long on taste. Big Y pizza is a stellar choice for a quick meal option.
