Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast — Hour 4: Pizza Toppings & Last Call Crew (January 24, 2026)

Episode Overview

This hour of the show centers around the ever-controversial topic of pizza toppings, especially pineapple, and dives into spirited debates about pizza authenticity, regional preferences, and the cultural significance of pizza in New York. The hosts field calls from listeners, adding layers of nostalgia and personal stories while also touching on sports—most notably Yankees roster discussion and some brief NFL commentary. The segment is lighthearted, opinionated, and full of New York flavor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Pineapple-on-Pizza Debate (00:49–09:24)

• Setting the Stage: Pizza Traditions

  • Rosenberg describes his Friday ritual of getting pizza as his family tradition, sparking a listener chat about preferred toppings (00:49).
  • Listeners mention liking pineapple and ham, prompting incredulity from the hosts.

• Strong Reactions

  • Alan Hahn reacts strongly:

    “They should be stoned.” — Alan (01:34)

  • Rosenberg, with comic exaggeration, acts out a “typical New Yorker” response (02:27):

    “You in New York, you’re gonna put pineapple on a pizza?”

• Broader Perspectives

  • Don La Greca offers some openness, though not personal preference:

    “I never tried it, but I do hear the whole sweet and salty kind of thing… If that’s what you’re looking for, that could work.” (01:38)

• California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) & Regional Pizza Norms

  • Alan recounts visiting CPK for the first time in the 90s, highlighting his confusion at non-traditional pizza options and how dramatically tastes and offerings have changed (02:58–04:46).
  • Quote:

    “I couldn’t process this… That’s quiche, man. Like, that’s not pizza. You feel me?” — Alan (04:44)

Pizza as a Cultural Touchstone (06:22–09:24)

• Philosophy on Expectation

  • Alan shares the psychological aspect of pizza’s taste:

    “It’s almost like the expectation… holding a slice and taking a bite… I’m not expecting this. That’s my problem.” (06:38)

• The Sacredness of New York Pizza

  • Peter observes how animated people get over pineapple:

    “People scream about pineapple on pizza. It’s like a trigger thing.” (07:17)

  • Don reflects on New Yorkers’ attitude:

    “They made the pizza sacred. How are you soiling this great thing by putting something on it?” (07:49)

• The Influence of Pizza Reviews & Content Culture

  • Peter rails against a Bostonian (a veiled shot at Dave Portnoy of Barstool’s pizza reviews) becoming “the official pizza reviewer for America,” highlighting the absurdity (08:19):

    “We allowed a Boston guy to be the official reviewer of all pizza… It’s upside down. The whole world’s upside down.”

• Changing Definitions of Entertainment

  • Peter laments the shift from family viewing time to mindless online scrolling and content over substance:

    “When we were kids… I’m going to watch people put on a show… We don’t live in that era anymore.” (08:48)

Pizza & Family Nostalgia (09:24–09:57)

• Don fondly recalls his family’s Friday pizza traditions, linking the conversation to cherished childhood memories.

Callers Weigh In: Pizza, Sports, and More (15:16–21:43)

• Pizza Topping Protocols

  • John from Oakland shares a story about someone bringing a full barbecue chicken pie to impress, which felt “egregious” to him, even though it tasted good (15:16).
  • The hosts relate, admitting that unconventional toppings can alienate traditionalists, while noting even the “most New York” people have quirky pizza favorites.

    “My wife… her favorite pizza from Queens is a chicken Caesar slice.” — Peter (16:46–17:21)

• Mixing Pizza and Salad

  • Alan sheepishly admits he’s put Caesar salad on his pizza, delighting in the textural mix (17:24).

Quick Sports Round-Up (17:46–21:43)

• NFL: Quarterback Discussion

  • Callers and hosts briefly discuss the skepticism regarding Jarrett Stidham’s performance, with comparisons to Philip Rivers and the mechanics of winning big games (17:46–19:37).

• MLB: Yankees Roster

  • Discussion shifts to Yankees’ offseason moves, particularly resigning Cody Bellinger, the depth and reliability of their offense, and the impact of players like Grisham.

    “The Yankees have to be healthy, and if they’re healthy, they’re going to be dangerous.” — Alan (20:23)

• Roster Debates

  • Callers express concern about qualifying offers and third base defense; the hosts respond analytically but remain hopeful about the Yankees’ prospects (20:45–21:24).

Closing Notes and Farewell (21:43–end)

• Community & Safety Reminder

  • The hosts stress that the community of listeners is important to them, urge everyone to be careful due to the cold, and thank them for giving the show purpose (21:48–22:16).

• Classic Sign-Off Line

  • Peter closes with a meta remark:

    “I don’t want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know it’s good.” (22:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alan, on pineapple:

  • “They should be stoned.” (01:34)
  • “That’s quiche, man. Like, that’s not pizza. You feel me?” (04:44)

• Peter, on pizza reviews/content culture:

  • “We allowed a Boston guy to be the official reviewer of all pizza… It’s upside down. The whole world’s upside down.” (08:19)
  • “When we were kids… I’m going to watch people put on a show… We don’t live in that era anymore.” (08:48)

• Don, on family pizza tradition:

  • “My dad loved pizza and he still held true… not eating meat on Fridays, period… we always had pizza on Friday. Always.” (09:24)

• Peter, on pizza arbitrariness:

  • “There are people who will hear chicken Caesar slice and be like, that’s not pizza… it’s just so arbitrary of what makes a New York slice or not.” (16:46)

• Closing sentiment:

  “We care about you guys because you give us a reason to keep doing the show every day… Be safe, be warm this weekend. Help out your neighbors…” — Alan (21:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pizza Toppings Debates: 00:49–09:24
• Nostalgia & Pizza Traditions: 09:24–09:57
• Caller: Barbecue Chicken Pie Offense: 15:16–17:21
• Mixing Pizza and Salad: 17:24
• NFL Quarterbacks Talk: 17:46–19:37
• Yankees Offseason Talk: 19:37–21:43
• Farewells & Safety Message: 21:43–end

This hour’s blend of classic New York food debate, sports talk, and community storytelling delivers a lively listen for anyone interested in the soul of New York—on your pizza and in your fandom.