Pizza 2001 — Restaurant in Vancouver

This business has sold, and unfortunately the new owner doesn't seem to know the lessons that the previous owner had learned and which I have kept up with over the years, out of sheer scientific curiosity. This business was subject to several studies by different university student business classes for the simple reason that back in the early 2000s it found itself in a curious spot of having a competitor slice pizza shop open up right next door offering $0.99/slice price at a time he was charging $1.49/slice. The competition obviously piqued the interests of students and scholars of business such that the issue was followed with some curiosity, both by the local papers and by those connected to academia. Will the business that offered the best price ultimately prevail in this low margins enterprise, or does the consumer care about quality, presuming that the $1.49 pizza was better quality? Not too long after, yet another pizza shop opened up across the street. And the most intriguing part about the owner of this business was that he was so sincere and honest. When asked why he refused to lower the price given he was facing such an obvious threat to his extinction he stated that he had done the math - his product wasn't a family secret passed down the generations, wasn't even anything he developed after extensive trial and error, it's the recipe he got from the manufacturer of the dough mixing machine he purchased, he said. And the costs he was paying did not support the 99 cent price tag he said. As well, he cared about product quality and consistency, and didn't skimp out on the ingredients. He believed that in the long term, the consumer will make the right choice.

He ended up being right, not just once, but on several occasions over the subsequent decades. His competitor next door did shutter, new competitors came, and, each time offered a lower price, and each time lost. What they all failed to understand is that the majority of the people do recognize quality and aren't opposed to paying for good things. It's when you pay for it and still don't get what you should, that it becomes a problem.

He was playing a long-term game, asking for a little bit more but consistently delivering a good product at a reasonable price, recognizing that his business reputation would pay in the long-term. These are lessons that the new owner unfortunately does not understand.

The new pizza 2001 slice is smaller, and the pie is now cut into 2 extra portions, the new owner trying to slide a smaller product under the nose of the consumers thinking they won't notice. He has retained the same dough crust but with far fewer toppings, even skimping out on the pizza sauce. He also doesn't make the pizza as often - and the result is he keeps the old product for a lot longer when it isn't sold, ultimately selling a much much worse product to the customer when he finally makes a sale. The old 2001 slice that earned the 4.6 stars was right about there, almost perfect for what it is. This one isn't even a 2. I would rank it at 1.5.

So, unfortunately, while I hope that the new owner reads these comments and goes back to the kind of product that permitted the old owner to outlast all his competitors for almost 30 years, I suspect he won't. Cheapness is a cultural trait in certain traditions making the people desensitized and unable to see, grasp or understand subtle differences in experience - one can only see as far as their perspective allows - as Schopenhauer wrote.

So, sadly, I had to say goodbye to Pizza 2001 and retire my habit of occasionally going there as my choice venue for the unhealthy bite. And to the old owner - hope you son finds the career he loves and that you enjoy retirement. It was good knowing you for the past 25 years. Long...

The best pizza around, they have something that no other pizza place has going for them, their excellence is realized through the use of amazingly prepared dough, tossed perfectly, and topped with primo tomato sauce and ingredients. The price is great considering the top quality of the pizza, don't bother going anywhere else. Good amount of seating, sit down and enjoy your fresh slices! The cheese is notably perfect as well. I've been coming here for over a decade and the quality hasn't wavered, thankfully! The owners are the nicest people and work there, they work hard and that dedication shines through the end product. I write this review while eating pizza from another store, why? Because I've tried pizza from all over the world, and Pizza 2001 is still #1 in my books. I'll be making trips to Pizza 2001 when I've got a craving for pizza, because to eat anything else would be a compromise. To describe their pizza, it's like a pizza that brings together the best of every other type of pizza, thick crust, thin crust, and Neapolitan. It needs to be eaten fresh from the oven, like all pizza; try it out and you'll see what I'm talking about. The dough is made with care, allowed time to properly raise, and isn't rushed and baked too soon like other places(leads to dry crumbly bread). Let's stop there, just go try it out and leave a review for this great place! Give the owner positive feedback as well (tell him personally how much you liked the pizza and how happy you are with it), because as long as they are happy and enjoying their job, they'll keep up the good work! And that means great pizza for the Lower Mainland for...

Ok - there are new owners at this location. Please note the older (good) reviews are from the pizza from before. The new pizza is different (sauce and toppings). I work 1 block from this location and have been going to Pizza 2001 since 2002. I miss the old owners (husband and wife) and their sauce. The new pizza is dry and is terrible. I went in a couple months ago and asked the new people where my favorite couple was, they told me they are helping out while the owners were renovating their house. Well, I went again today and all the signage is new and all their previous menu pizzas are gone. I wouldn't have minded if they had just told the truth that they bought the place, but they lied. Anyways, the new pizza is bad.

EDIT: to respond to the below comment - the pizza is not the same as it was. The pizza is overcooked now and DRY. I also didn't like that the new people lied about the previous...