Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. It originated in Italy, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn't heard of it or any country where it isn't available.
But it's not the most universally loved food, as the internet user who asked, "What food is more universally loved than pizza?" found out. These were some of the replies they received.
1. Potatoes

Potatoes are a hugely prevalent answer. Some people respond with potatoes in their raw form, others specify fries, and others list the various methods of serving them, like mashed, boiled, roasted, and jacket.
The agreement is widespread in the replies, with people commenting on their incredible versatility. One user even says they leave potatoes to ferment so they can drink them later.
2. Bread
Lots of people say bread in the replies. It's a simple, stable food that provides the basis for sandwiches, one of the world's most popular food forms. It's also suitable for dipping in sauces, making toast, and forming the basis of a pizza.
Some respondents correctly state that bread has been keeping people alive for centuries. Another humorously says that people worldwide would give up their firstborn children for a slice of freshly baked bread smothered in butter.
3. Rice
Like bread, rice is a staple food around the world. In some cultures, having a meal without it is unthinkable, and it's a prominent answer in this discussion.
Some people argue that rice is less beloved and more necessary to survive for some people, prompting fierce defense from rice lovers. Another user quotes Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."
4. Pasta
Like pizza, pasta originates in Italy. Similarly, it also comes in many forms. What makes it more universally loved than pizza is its price. Pasta is a staple food that is easy to acquire for many people, and it's a popular answer in this discussion.
Users describe it as comfort food, which it is, and given that all you need to do to cook it is place it in hot water, it is so convenient.
5. Chocolate
Several people say chocolate is more universally loved than pizza, which may be correct, but others reply that many people hate it, too.
As one user points out, that could be because they've only ever tasted Hershey's, which is nowhere near as lovely as most chocolate in Europe. Seriously, go to Belgium or the United Kingdom and try some of the proper stuff.
6. Ice Cream
Some users suggest that ice cream is more beloved worldwide than pizza is. It's delicious and a lovely treat but comes with issues if you're lactose intolerant. That being said, several users say that they eat it despite being intolerant to lactose. That's how revered ice cream is.
7. Burgers
Who doesn't love a good burger? One says burgers are more universally loved than pizza, but their answer is surprisingly far down the list. Other users are even commenting they can't believe how far they've had to scroll to find it.
Burgers are great because they're so tasty, and, as several people point out, places worldwide have their take on how to make them and what to put on them. They're so versatile. Unsurprisingly, many of the world's most popular fast-food restaurants specialize in burgers.
8. Curry
This might be a controversial answer, but one poster says curry is more universally loved than pizza is. When you think about it, Asia is the largest continent in the world, and curry is hugely popular there. Recently, it has become more popular elsewhere, so the user could be right.
Many people don't like spicy food, but curry doesn't have to be particularly spicy. There's undoubtedly a curry for everyone to enjoy, and it's only growing in popularity.
9. Fried Chicken
"Chicken" could be a reply to this question, but perhaps that's too vague. Moreover, several users specify fried chicken in their answers.
The first instance of the answer is quite far down in the discussion, and one user can't believe they had to search so hard for it. Other people describe it as comfort food, with one saying it's so appealing because every country does it differently. Try Korean fried chicken for good eats.
10. Cheese
Cheese appears in this discussion regularly, which shouldn't be surprising, as it's arguably the critical component of a pizza. Of course, if you like pizza, you like cheese, but that doesn't have to work the other way around.
One user argues that too many people are intolerant to cheese, but that would also make them unable to eat pizza, invalidating the argument. There are so many different types of cheese that if you tolerate it, there's one for you.
This thread inspired this post.
By Tia Clara
, published Mar 28, 2023 on
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