If you’ve walked around Manhattan, you’ve surely seen a pizzeria with some variation of the word “Ray’s” on the sign. The first Ray’s Pizza opened in Greenwich Village in the 50s, the owner eventually opened a second location which he later sold. The new owner retained the name, and subsequent sales and openings have created… Continue reading Italian Beef Sandwich – A Chicago Icon
Category: Sausage
Chicago, IL – Taylor Street Pizza Review
With a name that is synonymous with Chicago’s “Little Italy” neighborhood, the seven location Taylor Street Pizza in Chicago’s NW suburbs has a rep to live up to. Primarily a delivery and carry-out operation (with dine in available at the Elgin location), Taylor Street offers thin, double dough, and deep dish pies, as well as… Continue reading Chicago, IL – Taylor Street Pizza Review
Mike Ditkas Italian Beef Review
Mike Ditka, ex professional football player, ex NFL coach, has been on a licensing spree lately; in addition to his restaurants, Ditka is now rivaling Donald Trump (including questionable hair) for an expanding product line: wine, steaks, cigars, and now Chicago style foods. I don’t know shit about football; the closest I ever came to… Continue reading Mike Ditkas Italian Beef Review
Mystic Pizza Frozen Review
From the oven of a small town pie shop in Mystic, Connecticut, comes this frozen version which their publicity states is made from the same ingredients and in the same manner as the restaurant pizzas. Many people became aware of this pizzeria from the Julia Roberts vehicle, “Mystic Pizza.” The pies have been available in… Continue reading Mystic Pizza Frozen Review
Bellatoria Ultra Thin Pizza Review
One of the brands from Minnesota pizza manufacturer Bernatellos, the Bellatoria Ultra Thin Sausage Italia promises “Italian sausage is piled on top of Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan cheese with a rich Italian sauce on a crispy Ultra Thin Crust.” A friend of mine had tried this and described the sauce has being “slightly off.” That wasn’t my experience, but… Continue reading Bellatoria Ultra Thin Pizza Review
Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Review
A derivative of a Polish word, “kielbasa” refers in certain parts of Europe as a particular type of sausage, while in the U.S., it has come to be indicative of what most Americans refer to as “Polish Sausage,” a pork and garlic concoction generally in a natural casing. Johnsonville’s version is pure pork, with flavorings,… Continue reading Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Review
Parkview Cocktail Sausages Review
I love cocktail sausages; not if they are swimming in barbecue sauce in a chafing dish mind you, but as a breakfast meat, or an anytime, low carb snack. Most brands are generally smoked, so if you’re inclined, you could eat them right out of the package. For me, I prefer them a little crispy,… Continue reading Parkview Cocktail Sausages Review
Hardees Monster Biscuit Review
First opened in Greenville, SC, Hardee’s is a ‘semi-national’ chain, mostly in the Eastern United States, and part of CKE (Carl Karcher Enterprises) which operates Carl’s Jr. in the Western US; the two share some menu items. Hardee’s places a big emphasis on their breakfast menu, and offers a wider variety of choices than most… Continue reading Hardees Monster Biscuit Review
Kettle River Pizza Review
I’ve written often in the past about the plethora of frozen pizza brands manufactured in Minnesota and Wisconsin. There’s Totinos, Jenos, and Red Baron, Tony’s, Freschetta, Roma, Bellatoria, Brew Pub, Orv’s, Palermo’s, and many others that have reached national and super-regional distribution status. In addition to these, there are a host of smaller manufacturers which… Continue reading Kettle River Pizza Review
Ginos East Frozen Pizza Review
Jon Stewart, the witty host of TV’s “The Daily Show” took off on Chicago deep dish pizza last week, as a postscript to a story about the new World Trade Center being named the tallest building in America. Seems Mr. Stewart’s opinion of the 2nd city is less than favorable, and his pizza rant took… Continue reading Ginos East Frozen Pizza Review