Domino's 2 with Jamelle Bouie

"Domino's 2 with Jamelle Bouie" is Episode 280 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Domino's 2 with Jamelle Bouie" was released on December 10, 2020.

## Synopsis

Jamelle Bouie (*The New York Times*, *CBS News*) joins the 'boys to talk Forrest Gump, cereal, classic candy and Domino's. Plus, the debut of the new Flank Check segment.

## Nick's intro

When you think of a Chinese tile-based game, your mind probably goes to mahjong.

But there's another tile game that's in fact Chinese in origin: one with dotted, rectangular, generally monochrome pieces that traces its history to the 12th-century Song dynasty. In the U.S., the oblong tiles are perhaps less likely to be played in a game and more likely to be lined up on end, so they can be toppled in rapid succession in a useful visual metaphor.

But regardless of whether you know the intricate rules of chicken foot, or just like to watch them tallboys tumble, the pieces themselves are as recognizable as dice or playing cards, and they also serve as the graphic and brand name for the largest pizza chain in the world.

The chain began in the college town of Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1960, when the Monaghan brothers, along with pizza cook Joe Quasarano, took over operation of Dominick's Pizza from previous owner Dominick DiVarti. Powered by its innovation of pizza delivery, and vast clientele of starving students, in 1965, the Monaghans added two more locations, but when Dominick DiVarti refused permission to use his name for the additional stores, the Monaghans rebranded to the similar-sounding name of the competitive tile game of Chinese origin.

Today, what began with three men, a pizza oven, and a Volkswagen Beetle used for delivery has 17,000 locations and over a quarter-million employees worldwide.

And just as Italian food in all likelihood has China to thank for giving it pasta, this Italian-American chain restaurant owes its billion-dollar brand name to the game designers of the Song dynasty.

This week on *Doughboys*, we return to Domino's.

## Fork rating

The Doughboys initially reviewed Domino's way back in episode 10. Nick gave it 3 forks and Mitch gave it 4.

Also, in the Pizza Division of the 2016 Doughlympics, Domino's earned a silver medal.

In the 2018 Munch Madness tournament, Domino's defeated Pizza Hut in round 1, before losing to Blaze Pizza in round 2. In then was in a three-way battle of Fat Chance Kitchen with California Pizza Kitchen and Little Caesar's, where it won, and advanced the Finals! There, Domino's pulled the upset and defeated Blaze Pizza and Costco., and was named that year's Chompion!

The Doughboys also had a *Double* episode with Joe Quasarano, the original Domino's pizza chef.

For this episode, they focus on Domino's two new specialty pizzas.

* Cheeseburger Pizza (handmade pan crust)
* Pepperoni, Onions, Jalapeno Peppers Pizza
	+ (extra cheese, hearty marinara sauce, Brooklyn Style crust)
* Hot Buffalo Wings
 Mike Mitchell
* Chicken Taco Pizza (hand tossed crust)
* Cheeseburger Pizza (hand tossed crust)
* Italian Sausage, 1/2 Onions Pizza (Brooklyn Style crust)
* Stuffed Cheesy Bread with Spinach & Feta
* Pasta Primavera
 Mrs. Mitchell
 Jamelle Bouie
* Cheeseburger Pizza
* Italian Sausage, Peppers, Onions Pizza (light cheese, thin crust)

**The Spoonman Bite of the Night** went to the Stuffed Cheesy Bread with Spinach & Feta.

## Flank Check

Flank Check (with Mitchell and Wiger) is a new game in which Nick presents an animal and Mitch and the guest identify its various cuts of meat.

For this episode, the animal is a cow. Mitch and Jamelle take turn identifying sections.

Jamelle Bouie wins the first episode of Flank Check!

(#5 is a loin.)

## #hashtags

* #CanYouTellIt'sCold
* #INeedIent

## Photos

PizzaHot Buffalo WingsChicken Taco PizzaCheeseburger PizzaPepperoni, Jalapeno Peppers, Onion PizzaStuffed Cheesy Bread with Spinach & FetaPasta PrimaveraChicken Taco PizzaCheeseburger PizzaSausage and 1/2 Onion Pizza