Today, we are reviewing the Cheese Pizza from Wawa. In 2023, Wawa introduced pizza offerings nationwide after testing them in select markets. This initiative was part of an expansion of the dinner menu. As a result, Wawa Pizza is available only after 4 PM. The pizzas are made to order, and most Wawa locations have added pizza ovens to accommodate this service.
Wawa is a convenience store and gas chain located mainly in the Mid-Atlantic states and Florida. As of 2023, there are 1,032 locations. It was founded by Graham Wood in 1964. Before 1964, the Wood family had been in the dairy business. Although often perceived as a gas station, Wawa was initially founded as a convenience store and did not open its first gas station until 1995.
The Construction
The following are the ingredients used in Wawa’s Cheese Pizza. One change was made to the default: choosing garlic seasoning for the crust. Overall there were not any other default options that can be changed.
- Crust: Default (Wheat Flour Based) w/ Optional Garlic Seasoning
- Size: 14 inch
- Cheese: Mozzarella (Default)
- Sauce: Proprietary (Default)
- Diameter: n/a
- Weight: n/a
- Bake: Default
- Location Purchased: Middletown, PA
- Price: $12.99
- Pies Purchased: 1
The Experience
The scoring defaulted to what was used in the Cheese Pizza Challenge:
- Crust: 2.5 points
- Sauce: 2.5 points
- Cheese: 2.5 points
- Intangibles: 2.5 points
Crust
Wawa uses a wheat flour crust made from freshly prepared dough. I opted for the optional garlic seasoning, and I really enjoyed the flavors of the crust; the garlic seasoning added a nice touch. The edges had a decent amount of crispness, which was a positive aspect. However, the crust was thicker than I prefer, and it felt quite floppy. While the undercarriage was decent, it still lacked the crispness I was hoping for.
Score 1.25 out of 2.5 points.
Sauce
The sauce was a pleasant surprise here. According to Wawa, this is a “proprietary” sauce. The tomato-based sauce delivered a nice sweetness. I also picked up a slight tanginess, which I did like. I might have wanted a little more robustness and spice, but overall, a good sauce.
Score 1.75 out of 2.5 points.
Cheese
The cheese used on the pizza is mozzarella, specifically a whole-milk variety, as stated in a Wawa press release. I noticed a milky quality to the cheese, which confirms this information. There was a slight crispness to some areas of the pizza. There wasn’t an option to extend the baking time.
Score 1.50 out of 2.5 points.
Intangibles
If you follow the cheese pizza challenge, there are three specific intangibles I look for in a pie:
- “Orange Glow”: This occurs when the cheese melts into the sauce, blending in some of its oils. It’s enhanced when the cheese is crisp. This pizza did not have any of the qualities
- Well-defined Edge: This crust had a decent, well-defined edge.
- Firm Bottom Crust: The bottom pizza should not be floppy, nor should it taste doughy. While it didn’t taste overly doughy, it lacked enough crispness.
The proportions of the cheese and sauce could have been better. There was a lot of the cheese, and less of the sauce (which surprised me).
The one thing that saved the score here is that the ingredients all tasted good together. While the overall experience didn’t exceed the sum of its parts, I would say it was on par.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
One common comment I often hear is that Wawa’s food is just “gas station” food. However, it’s important to remember that Wawa was serving food long before it began offering gasoline. That said, it’s best not to judge based solely on appearances. While Wawa’s pizza may not compare to top-tier offerings in New York, New Haven, or Chicago, I found the Wawa Cheese Pizza to be a decent choice. If there were an option for a longer bake to reduce some of the floppiness, it might have received a higher score than the 5.50 I gave it. Nonetheless, it surpassed similar chain pizza options. I understand that the garlic crust was a primary differentiator, but I don’t believe it significantly impacted the score. Additionally, this pizza is a nice food option late at night, and surprisingly, it’s something I would consider revisiting.
Summary
| Crust | 1.25 |
| Sauce | 1.75 |
| Cheese | 1.50 |
| Intangibles | 1.00 |
| Total | 5.50 |
Score: 5.50 (out of 10 points)
Value: Slightly Above Average
Cheese Pizza Rankings
Each category is worth 2.5 points, with a maximum of 10 points per pizza.
| Pizza | Crust | Sauce | Cheese | Intangibles | Score | |
| 1 | Marco’s Original Crust | 1.50 | 1.50 | 2.00 | 1.50 | 6.50 |
| 2 | Papa John’s Original Crust | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 6.00 |
| 3 | Wawa Cheese Pizza (*) | 1.25 | 1.75 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 5.50 |
| 4 | Domino’s Hand Tossed | 1.00 | 1.50 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 5.00 |
| 5 | Godfather’s Original Crust | 0.75 | 1.75 | 1.50 | 0.75 | 4.75 |
| 6 | Pizza Hut Hand Tossed Cheese Pizza | 0.50 | 1.25 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 4.25 |
| 7 | Little Caesars Round Cheese Pie | 0.50 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.75 | 3.75 |
(*) Note: Garlic Seasoning added to the crust.
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
