In today’s world, the list of things that have been politicized seems to be never-ending.
Now, unfortunately, we can add pizza to that long list.
Earlier this week, Papa John’s Pizza founder and CEO John Schnatter publicly announced that his company was pulling its NFL-related ads. He claims that his business has been negatively affected by its affiliation with the league due to widespread player protests aimed at fighting racial injustice and police brutality – rather than, perhaps, increased competition from newer chains like Blaze Pizza and Your Pie.
The announcement was quickly, and widely, mocked across social media, and even prompted several competitors to take jabs at Papa John’s. And to those who support the players’ protest – or, at the very least, haven’t become anti-NFL because of it – it’s a move that seems to indicate exactly which type of customers Mr. Schnatter would prefer.
It’s not the first time Schnatter has made a seemingly unforced public relations error, either. He received widespread criticism after he infamously threatened to raise prices at the chain in 2012 due to added expenses he claimed the business would incur because of the Affordable Care Act – better known as Obamacare.
Because of his latest actions, many consumers have indicated a desire to boycott Papa John’s. Some of these consumers, however, genuinely enjoyed the pizza and are now left looking for a new reliable source of a good slice.
So we figure, why not turn this negative into a positive? Instead of picking a new chain to follow, take this opportunity to explore some of the great local pizza joints we have here in Jacksonville.
Here’s a list of a few places you should definitely try out if you’re done with the Papa – or if you’re just looking for a great new pizza place!
V Pizza
1406 Hendricks Ave.
For those looking for a place to try in San Marco, V Pizza is a great option. Authentic Neapolitan pizza, plenty of variety, and it’s got popular bar Sidecar attached to it. What more could you need?
Carmines Pie House
2677 Forbes St.
It’s no secret that we’re obsessed with Carmines. The Riverside eatery has some of the best – and cheapest – pizza in town, and the friendly neighborhood atmosphere adds to the draw.
Al’s Pizza
Several area locations
Al’s is the closest thing we’ve got to a homegrown pizza chain in Jax. With multiple locations throughout the city, it’s likely the most convenient option for many. And on Thursdays, you can get a slice of pizza and a Yeungling for a total of $2. Count us in.
Biggie’s Pizza
1333 3rd St. N.
Biggie’s seeks to fill in the gap of authentic New York style pizza in Jax. Their pizzas are notoriously big, pun intended, and they’re open till 2 AM. Not to mention, they’ll soon be opening a second spot in Five Points.
And that’s just a handful of the local offerings.
So fear not, Jaxsons who wish to stand on principle against Schnatter. You’ve got plenty of great options to choose from.
