Sam Parella started Sammy’s Pizza on Minnesota’s Iron Range over 50 years ago. Today, Sammy’s locations are scattered across the Upper Midwest, and although each restaurant is independent, they are all owned by a relative of Sam or his best friend Nick Jerulle. You’ll find no fancy artisan crusts, or fusion ingredients here. Sammy’s is… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Sammy’s Pizza
Category: Hot off the Grill
Featured Stories of the Week
Tomah, WI – Kwik Trip Truckstop
What better place to get a burger at 2:30AM? What better place that you can still have a cigarette smoldering in the ash tray in front of you, next to a cup of joe? This truckstop, where the I divides in Wisconsin (see several previous posts about this town), serves a mean burger day or… Continue reading Tomah, WI – Kwik Trip Truckstop
St. Paul, MN – Cecil’s Deli
What’s this BurgerDogBoy, a blip about a regular old sandwich? Well, you know my philosophy, if it’s meat between bread, it’s a burger in disguise! Cecil’s has been around a half-century or so in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. I probably first walked in there 35 years ago, and it hasn’t changed, thank… Continue reading St. Paul, MN – Cecil’s Deli
Tomah, WI – Culvers for Cheese Curds
I’ve written about Tomah before (where the “I” divides!) and also about Culver’s, home of the Butter Burger. But what if you just want a small plate, can Culver’s fit the bill? Hell yes, check out their deep fried real Wisconsin Cheese Curds. Can’t beat it for a fast, hot, healthy (cough) snack. I love… Continue reading Tomah, WI – Culvers for Cheese Curds
Minneapolis, MN – The Original Slider
There’s a gaggle of White Castles in the Twin Cities, and the one on Lake Street is one of the original locations (altho the building has been rebuilt). I think I have a different definition of “dives” than many people. I think a place doesn’t qualify as a dive unless it’s in a neighborhood you… Continue reading Minneapolis, MN – The Original Slider
Duluth, MN – Pickwick Redux
Had a family gathering at the Pickwick the other night. If you want to read the history of this grand old tavern, see my previous post. As always, the table started with an order of their onion rings, always welcome, always delicious. I went for the plain old charburger, which comes in 1/3, 1/2, or… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Pickwick Redux
Upper Midwest – Caseys General Store
Starting with a single Iowa location in the 50s, Casey’s has grown to nearly 1500 stores. I’ve seen many of them in very small burgs, where they were the only commercial business, a lifeline to the community for groceries, gas, pizza, and baked goods. Pizzas are prepared on site, and I’ve been eating their slices… Continue reading Upper Midwest – Caseys General Store
Oacoma, SD – Al’s Oasis
Well, any place you can get a 5 cent cup of coffee is an oasis, right? But what pulled me in off the Interstate were the many billboards proclaiming “BUFFALO BURGERS!” Ah, but would they have them at the crack of dawn? We will see. Pulling into the block long Al’s Oasis, it looks very… Continue reading Oacoma, SD – Al’s Oasis
Missoula, MT – Gas Station Pizza
I have previously written about Hunt Brothers Pizza, a concession company that has set up heat and eat pizza outlets in hundreds of gas stations and C stores. Another similiar product is “Bellarico’s NY Style Pizza” – which I have seen a number of places, including the Crossroads Travel Center, in Missoula. the pizza product… Continue reading Missoula, MT – Gas Station Pizza
Sheridan, WY – Ole’s Pizza
I didn’t set out looking for the best pizza (or any for that matter) in Sheridan, Wyoming, nope, just wanted to get off the road for a minute for a pee stop, maybe a cherry coke. But there was this billboard, see, and it said “Since 1972”, see, and everyone knows that restaurant longevity (or… Continue reading Sheridan, WY – Ole’s Pizza