‘Za Favorite Meal To Order Out

We didn’t really have time to cook anything up for you before going on vacation, so let’s just order a pizza.

Hey, you’re used to it. Keebler reports that the average American eats pizza 25 times a year. Half the population has had pizza for breakfast, and one in four have munched it in bed.

Pepperoni is the most popular topping, appearing on 40 percent of all pizzas sold. Red herring is a Russian favorite, while Australians go for shrimp and pineapple and the Japanese prefer squid and eel.

Americans buy more than 1.8 billion slices of frozen pizza each year, according to American Demographics magazine.

Convenience is the primary reason for frozen pizza purchases, followed by price and then taste.

The biggest consumers of the stiff stuff are families with teen-agers. Childless couples under age 35 are more likely to pick it up than their older counterparts, who didn’t grow up eating it.

Domino’s notes that crank calls to its chain stores increase by 16 percent when “The Simpsons” is on the tube. And according to Domino’s, the single greatest hour for pizza delivery ever was last June when O.J. Simpson took his slow ride in the white Bronco.

Taste of tradition

As part of the area’s Japan Week activities, Highland Park United Methodist Church, 611 S. Garfield, is offering its 46th Annual Sukiyaki Dinner on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.

Japanese-Americans make up the bulk of the church congregation. Attractions include exhibits, crafts and a sushi bar. Cost is $7 per person; for tickets or information, call 535-2687.

Make mine a la mode

The friendly folks at Japan Airlines inform us that Fujiya Co. has introduced Carrot Wit, described as “the first carrot-flavored chocolate candy on the market.”

And if that sounds odd by Western standards, consider the new drink from Asahi, with a name that translates to “Strange Apple Can.” Made with actual apple chunks, the beverage is intended to make consumers “feel as if they are enjoying an apple pie.” xxxx