What Size Should a "Large" Pizza Be?

A pizza shop near me that'd been closed for some time recently re-opened. They were one of the best in the area, so my partner picked up two large pizzas from them yesterday.

She arrived home with two 12-inch pizzas (smaller than the "large" that had previously suppled before they'd closed).

I phoned the store to let them know the mistake in the order - two medium pizzas had been supplied instead of the large that had been ordered. They doubled down and said that the 12-inch pizzas were indeed large. I dispute this; a large pizza, in my books, is 13 inches or larger.

So, OzBargain, even discounting the fact that they have 100% dropped an inch from what was previously a "large" - when ordering a large pizza, what size do you expect to receive?

Poll Options

  • 12
    12 inches (or smaller)
  • 31
    13 inches (at least)
  • 16
    14 inches (or larger)
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Comments

  • +1

    The problem is so many stores, and it's not limited to pizza, don't start their sizing at "small". Large is often the smallest on offer so if it's a place new to you, you always need to confirm the actual size. Not saying it's right, I think it's rubbish, but that's the way it is.

    • +2

      Yeah that's the problem, "large" just means "normal" in pizza land

    • Yeah, I hear ya, and I know your Domino Hut etc chains are all pretty stingy in this regard - however this was a "2x Large + garlic + 1.25L drink" deal for ~$34, so I expected something a little larger than a 12" pizza for that price.

      • Made the "mistake" of ordering 2 large pizza's (over the phone) from John's Pizza in Coober Pedy once… 2 x 18" pizza's… for 3 people… pizza for days! Only happened once :)

        FYI their small was 12/13", and family was 24"

        • +2

          That's the opposite of a mistake

  • +2

    Size does matter ???

  • A big bastard

  • +5

    I think the fact that you are raising a poll proves how subjective words like "Large" are when describing foods.
    Essentially your definition for large doesn't really matter - its entirely up to the restaurant, and large can mean whatever they want it to!

    I know some places will say "12 inch pizza" instead of large for example, which then actually has meaning.
    One pizza places medium is another's large - its a bit of a "all words are made up" scenario.

    It is a bit unhelpful that they reduced their sizing without notifying customers though. I do love that the pizza came home and you got out the tape measure though.

  • +5

    they have 100% dropped an inch from what was previously a "large"

    Were they in the pool?

  • +1

    I'd usually imagine roughly a 12" pizza being a large, 8-10 being a small, and something like a 14" being a family size? idno

    I don't buy a lot of pizza. I generally make it. But if I bought a "large pizza", I'd expect it to completely fill a standard dinner plate no problem.

  • +3

    You need to visit the shop and look at the pizza trays on the wall with labels. I personally can't visualise how those number of inches translate to pizza size.

    For a normal takeaway shop, my assumptions are:

    • small = feeds 1 not super hungry person
    • large = feeds 2 not super hungry people, or 1 hungry person with perhaps some leftovers
    • family = feeds 3 hungry people / 4 not super hungry people
  • Large = 16"
    medium = 8"
    small = 4"
    tiny = 1Inch

    • +1

      thats what she said

    • Isn't a 1in pizza like…a mini quiche or something?

  • +2

    Is it the same a Dominoes, if it is then it's the new large that is made to make more profit.

    • I'm with you on this, but I wouldn't pay the same price at Dominos as what I paid these guys!

      • 1000% agree.

  • Large = Same size as Costco pizza.

  • +1

    I dispute this; a large pizza, in my books, is 13 inches or larger

    There should be an AS number that details pizza sizing standards and requirements :)

    Unfortunately, large is not a standard unit of measure so unfortunately your books expectations don't count :)

    • -3

      Yeah, but there's also the expectation of "getting what you paid for" - and I don't think I did (but obviously I'm here to check my calibration with OzB!)

      I reckon they're absolutely taking the piss at 12".

      • -1

        Shills from Big Pizza negging my comment, lol

  • Most places around me large is 12". Up from that is Family and the Party.

  • +1

    Large is the new small. :(

  • +1

    Did they tell your partner that the large is going by their books, and not your own?

    • What do you mean by this?

  • +2

    I remember when domino's came out and their pizza wasn't cheap, but it was delivered "free." When pizza hut responded with their own home deliveries the delivered pizza cost more than dine in and they were bigger because "we know people want more pizza at home" or some such marketing. All bs of course, the pizzas were bigger to justify the higher price - the ingredients are worth next to nothing but the delivery does cost, and "free" delivery was baked into the higher price.

    Complaining consumers / competition then drove the price down and eventually something had to give. Not saying competition is always a bad thing but when it drives prices to the bottom you eventually get what you pay for. This then rubs off all over and before you know it 12" is large.

    As for what size "large" should be? I think it's mostly cultural. But personally the American / NY way is the best where a large pizza is indeed large and if you just want a snack or quick meal you can buy a slice or two.

  • I would say 12" is a medium. I make that size at home in my $99 Coles Monro oven. Turn out better than 95% of these pizza joints around today, easy and much cheaper than paying $18+ per pizza.

  • Bring back little caesars.

  • A few google searches on what large pizzas are:
    Pizza hut: 10.75"
    Crust: 11"
    Dominoes: 14"

    Other restaurants and fast-food chains don't list the inches. But it seems large is not standard across the board which is expected from shop to shop. I would expect minimum 12" as the large standard.

  • Are we comparing 12 inch dominos vs 13 inch dominos ? If that the case I like dominos 30% more large pizza.

  • +1

    There is no industry standard you have to weigh up taste/quality versus size and price. I am disappointed at the taste of most pizza outlets these days so it's been a while since I've bought pizza.

  • A decent pizza shop would just advertise the diameter of the pizza, then no confusion as to what you're getting. It should be legislated at Federal level.

  • Diameter is irrelevant, it's the thickness and volume topping that counts, dead easy to make a thin crust and start the topping 2 inches from the edge ……

  • Dominos definitely reduced their Large size and now offer XL as a $$$ upgrade which is nearly equivalent to their Large previously.

    Ordered a large, took the measuring tape out and it’s 10”. What a joke!

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