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I'm a fan of Turkish Coffee. In fact, recently I used it instead of espresso in a tiramisu recipe. It was fantastic.

Okay, I'll do my best to defend LaRosa's. I'm originally from Cincinnati, but I went to college a skip away from Arthur Ave. in the Bronx, so I've been jaded by some darn good pizza from Full Moon and other NYC institutions the past few years. That being said, letting LaRosa's sit for fifteen minutes before eating it completely changes the consistency of the pie in a way which I've yet to experience with other pizzas. Since they use a provolone-based blend, it quickly congeals into a dried glue unlike a stringy-mozzarella when not eaten immediately from the oven. When I order LaRosa's, I make an effort to either dine in at the parlor or pick it up asap and rush home. If a LaRosa's pizza is cooked right (warning: some restaurants in the chain are better than others) it can be an enjoyable experience.

Why do people love LaRosa's in Cincinnati? My best guess is that it does a fantastic job in marketing and advertising. From having one phone number you can dial anywhere in the city, to the fact that the company has been extremely philanthropic towards youth sports and charitable programs, they know how to get people to buy their product. Additionally, they sell "buy one pizza, get one free" cards that can be used up to 10 times for only $10 making it a great deal for groups or large families. If you're going to a birthday party or a get together where pizza is being served in Cincinnati, chances are that you're going to be eating LaRosa's. Of course, since people associate the food they eat with the fond memories they have of events, LaRosa's practically creates a Pavlovian response for Cincinnatians.

I eat LaRosa's when I'm in Cincinnati for no better reason than I enjoy the sauce and I can't really get it anywhere else. The crust isn't always consistent and the toppings are skimpy, but they can turn out a good pie most of the time.

As for the other parlors in Cincinnati, it's a mixed bag. Donato's has it's own unique qualities, the most significant of which is a spicy sauce and a crust that is thinner than matzah. Dewey's is more of a traditional pie, but nothing that sets it apart from anyplace else in the country. If someone wants a pie that actually resembles NYC pizza, the closest is a place called Fratelli's out in the suburbs near West Chester.

@Chris: Now, when it comes to chili, I agree that Skyline's 3-ways are better than GoldStar. However, I think both chains pale in comparison to Camp Washington Chili.