40 years ago, it was called “Bill’s,” and it was in the same location. Hasn’t changed much, same counter, same booths, now fairly worn, the faux leather brittle with age. The home-spun murals of scenes of Italy on the walls are fading. But would the pizza hold up? Did we love it because it was… Continue reading Basils Pizza Review, an Homage to Joe Szabo (Northfield, MN)
Tag: Minnesota Pizza
Sven & Ole’s Frozen Pizza Review
It’s one of those places that people would describe as “it’s not the end of the world, but you can see it from there.” Grand Marais, Minnesota, on Lake Superior almost at the Canadian border, an early French fur trading post, the translation of the town’s name is “Great Marsh.” The town is accessed… Continue reading Sven & Ole’s Frozen Pizza Review
Heggies Pizza Review
If you look at the history of frozen pizza in the U.S., many of the largest brands started out as “bar pizzas” in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Small manufacturers made frozen pies, sold them to bars, to which they furnished a counter top oven free of charge. (There used to be laws that a certain percentage… Continue reading Heggies Pizza Review
Pizza Sizes Keep Growing!
Pizza Sizes Keeping Pace Or Causing American Waistline Growth?? Back in my day, there were two sizes of pies at most pizzerias, small and large, and due to commonly available industry tools, they were 12” and 14” in diameter, respectively. At some point, “personal sized’ pizzas, generally 6” or 8” were made available, as a… Continue reading Pizza Sizes Keep Growing!
Superior, WI – VIP Pizza
VIP has three locations in the Twin Ports, two in Duluth, and this one in “Soup Town.” I remember the first Duluth location from a couple decades ago, on East 8th Street, across from Taran’s market. I was never in VIP that I recall, but I remember getting sent to the predecessor store, a little… Continue reading Superior, WI – VIP Pizza
Kettle River, MN – Tower Tap & Restaurant
Kettle River Minnesota lies beside the Kettle River, and was settled by Finnish immigrants in the years just prior to WW 1, and their influence is still noticeable today. Every summer, the good folk of Kettle River hosts Ma & Pa Kettle, which includes street dances, a pancake breakfast, the Miss Kettle River pageant, and… Continue reading Kettle River, MN – Tower Tap & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN – Patriot Cafe at the VA Center
The head of the Minnesota Burger Posse, Kawika, hit the Patriot Café at the VA center in Minneapolis today, in hot pursuit of their made to order pizzas. From their own description: “We serve a 16” pizza made fresh daily, whole or by the slice. We use the highest quality sauce, meats, cheeses and toppings.… Continue reading Minneapolis, MN – Patriot Cafe at the VA Center
Duluth, MN – Sammy’s Pizza (Downtown)
Not much more I can say about Sammy’s, the small regional chain in the Upper Midwest, I’ve written about them a couple times. Here’s the point: I’ve had pizza all over the world, from Naples, Florida, to Naples, Italy; from Boise to Beijing. And Sammy’s is still my favorite, and worth a couple day drive… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Sammy’s Pizza (Downtown)
Duluth, MN – Sammy’s Pizza
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