4 Ordering Tips For A Better Domino's Pizza Every Time

It's hard to remember a time when our fast-food and coffee orders weren't customizable. That half-caff, no-foam, oat milk latte? No biggie. The staggering number of ways you can customize a Burger King Whopper? Expected. When it comes to Domino's, you might know the pizza elements you prefer, like barbecue instead of marinara for the base sauce. But there's actually more to consider to ensure you're getting a better Domino's every time.

There are a handful of tips for customization perfection at Domino's, but even customization comes with its risks that should be considered. There are also a few insider tricks to know to elevate your order to the best pie you can get from the chain, like which base to choose and how to request it be cooked. Then there are a few basic rules of thoughtfulness to remember, which won't always guarantee a better order, but they never hurt nonetheless.

Ask 40 people what their favorite pizza order is, and you may get 40 different answers. Some may be blatantly bizarre, while some sound downright delicious. When it comes to ordering Domino's, one of the oft-repeated topping suggestions to elevate a pie to feel more gourmet is the addition of garlic. This cult-favorite Domino's order for garlic lovers foregoes the traditional tomato sauce in favor of garlic parmesan. Others recommend adding minced garlic to your order, while some say the garlic oil usually reserved for the crust is great drizzled over the whole pizza.

Many Domino's customers complain about the skimpy amount of toppings on their pies. Quick fix: Order extra, and you won't be disappointed. As for cheese, mozzarella is usually used. Instead, ask for a combo of cheddar, provolone, and parmesan — three of the best cheeses for melting — to be added on top of the toppings to encase it in cheesy gooeyness. When it comes to crust, the handmade pan is the overwhelming recommendation online. Keep in mind that some of these items may not be available at all locations, so check with your local Domino's.

In recent years, some custom Domino's pizza orders have gone viral on TikTok, with some users claiming certain concoctions are the best thing since sliced pizza, and others saying they didn't turn out well. One of the reasons for failure is that Domino's pizzas are set to cook for a standard length of time, so if there's an overload of toppings on a thick pan-crust pizza, the dough may not cook through. This is why you need to start ordering your pizza well-done.

Also keep in mind that extra meat — especially pepperoni — might make the pizza greasier. If you're the type to use a napkin to blot your pizza, then extra meat and cheese might not be for you. Some fans also love to think outside the sauce box and mix sauces for their base, such as the classic tomato with the Alfredo for added creaminess. However, make sure you consider complementary flavor profiles. 

Some customers have claimed to love the combo of the mango habanero and garlic parmesan sauces to give it a Thai vibe, but that may not be for everyone. After all, there can be too much of a good thing.

If shaking a little dried oregano or crushed red pepper on your pizza is the extent of your post-baking topping experience, you might consider adding other post-bake toppings. For instance, if the idea of mealy cooked tomatoes instigates your gag reflex but you like the idea of fresh ones for brightness, request them. The same can be said for pineapple and peppers — the uncooked version may be more appealing to some. It's not standard protocol to add toppings after the baking process, so ask at your outlet when ordering. 

Another non-standard request: Adding Domino's sides to your pizza. If your Domino's offers salads, you might like to tip one onto your pizza to embrace the salad-on-a-'za trend. Some Domino's are already embracing the sides-as-toppings trend. For example, potato wedges are available abroad in places like New Zealand, both as a side and a pizza topping, but not yet in the U.S. That hasn't stopped at least one employee from adding boneless chicken wings (one of Domino's sides) to their custom pizza order. Customers will have to DIY the combo themselves, but it's worth asking.

Sometimes it's easy to forget the simple things that make your Domino's experience that much better. For example, consider when to order. If it's a busy time, like a Friday night, or a super-busy time, like Halloween or the Super Bowl, pre-order to give the staff as much time as possible to prep your pizza. This is especially important if you have a customized order -– if it's extremely busy and staff is under pressure, they may not fulfill it properly due to the extra stress in the kitchen.

Don't always rely on the app or the website to get your special order right. Domino's employees have shared that ordering in person or on the phone is your best bet for getting a custom order done correctly. Especially if you're courteous and friendly while ordering. Other Domino's customers have shared that they've received excellent service and the occasional freebie thrown in when they tip well on their orders.