A study: How college students respond to free pizza
By Ashley Klann
Executive Editor
Clark’s Residence Hall Association had the right idea with Pizza Wars – four of the most popular pizza places around campus dishing out samples of their best to be judged by the students. Little did they anticipate the war that would ensue when free pizza was somewhere on campus. It only took twelve minutes for the herd of hungry college students to devour every slice in sight.
The contenders took the stage. Local favorite, Fantastic Pizza is located a block away from campus on Main Street and has been around for as long as any of us have been. Some would argue that going to Fantastic’s is less about the pizza and more about the caring family of Lebanese immigrants who runs it… or the falafel.
Another close-by shop, Uncle Sam’s, also competed. Sam’s probably gets a good 
reputation for staying open late, but other than that, their food isn’t anything to write home about. Blue Jeans Pizza probably had an expected positive feedback as three time winner of Worcester’s Best Pizza poll, but newcomer, Flats Organic Pizzeria on Maywood Street gave them a run for their money.
The event was originally scheduled to take place in the Grind, but after some changes and maneuvering to the space behind the caf, the ravenous group of Clarkies descended on the pizza. While waiting in line to be fed, my friend and I joked that we’d come for a war that seemed nonexistent, but the war was on its way. As the table full of thirty pizza boxes came into sight, I realized where the war was. There were two lines of people going head-on towards the table. Arms and hands were snatching left and right; some people left with 8 pieces, some with none.
Anyone who’s had Flats can attest to their superiority, and it’s not surprising that they took first place. Their eco-friendly Green boxes were probably the first to empty, and the ballots proved them the winner. The only drawback is that you’ll probably pay a little more for that sustainable slice than you would at the competitors, but Flats just tastes better.
Of the four pizza places that competed I was only able to snag a piece of three. The piece from Fantastic was still hot, so they automatically gat a point for that. Their pizza is the same formula each time. It’s greasy and has a hard crust, but like I said, students really go there more for the folks who run it and the non-pizza items on the menu. Uncle Sam’s cheese was burnt, and as per usual, their pizza was not great. While the slice of Flats I got was cold, the crust was nice and chewy, and the sauce was zesty. I’ve had Blue Jeans before and loved it, but they just can’t compete with the new guy in town.
So in the end, my friends and I sat at the table in the faculty dining room laughing about the semi-violent fiasco that had ensued over free pizza. Lesson learned. If there’s any way to elicit a response from college students, get some free pizza.
