Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Time to dust off the blog
Been away from the blog for a few months but not away from pizza. Looks like this Friday will be a good day to make a surprise visit to a local pizza joint for a pie. Where to go???
Sunday, January 30, 2011
NYE Flashback: Milo's on The Hill
On New Year's Eve we headed to the St. Louis area to attend a party in the MetroEast. During the day we took a trip across the river The Hill neighborhood to do some shopping for pasta, salami, fresh spices and wine from Viviano & Sons Italian grocery.
We had my wife's brother and his wife from Georgia and cousins from Bloomington/Champaign area in tow. We showed up with no real plan except find a nice restaurant and eat lunch and then
do some shopping. We drove around the Hill for a while, looking for a place with a casual atmosphere that we all hadn't tried before. Zia's, Mama Campisi's, Bartolino's, Rigazzi's, Charlie Gitto's were all out. We first considered Amighetti's and noticed a nice looking tavern style restaurant across the street. It was Milo's Bocce Garden. A small place with a nice bar, some dart boards and a tasty menu. Out back there are large covered bocce courts where Milo's runs competitive leagues.
We arrived at Milo's about 30 minutes after an F3 tornado had hit the south county area of St. Louis but the sun was out and there was no damage on The Hill. The only negative was that all the satellites were out and they could not get the Notre Dame bowl game on the bar television. We ordered drinks and took a gander at the menu. It's a pretty simple selection at Milo's... sandwiches, pasta or pizza with a few specials depending on the day. We got a starter of toasted ravioli and griped about missing the Irish on TV. Everyone went with pasta and sammies except me.
I opted for the hot chicken wing pizza. We enjoyed the local flavor in the bar area while we
waited for our order to arrive. There was a guy puffing on a big stogie telling others at the bar about the damage the tornado did over in the Sunset Hills area, the bartender was negotiating with DirectTV to get someone out to Milo's to get their TV's running so they could get the Fighting Irish on the television. For the record, I read where Milo's will officially be a smoke free establishment starting 2/7/11.
The food was brought out rather quickly and the pizza looked and smelled excellent. It was a 9 inch pie loaded with small chunks of chicken covered with chopped tomatoes and gooey provel cheese. This pizza was just a real nice surprise. There was a moderate flavor of buffalo sauce mixed in with the marinara and provel as well as a distinct garlic infused olive oil probably brushed on the crust. The chicken was just chicken, nothing special maybe a little bland but the tomatoes were spot on. They offset the spicy kick of the buffalo sauce perfectly.
The whole thing sat on a crispy, well baked crust that would make any St. Louis pizza chef proud. The composition, presentation and flavor of this pizza was just outstanding.
I can guarantee one thing... I will be back for another one.
SPP Ranking: 9.0
We had my wife's brother and his wife from Georgia and cousins from Bloomington/Champaign area in tow. We showed up with no real plan except find a nice restaurant and eat lunch and then
do some shopping. We drove around the Hill for a while, looking for a place with a casual atmosphere that we all hadn't tried before. Zia's, Mama Campisi's, Bartolino's, Rigazzi's, Charlie Gitto's were all out. We first considered Amighetti's and noticed a nice looking tavern style restaurant across the street. It was Milo's Bocce Garden. A small place with a nice bar, some dart boards and a tasty menu. Out back there are large covered bocce courts where Milo's runs competitive leagues.We arrived at Milo's about 30 minutes after an F3 tornado had hit the south county area of St. Louis but the sun was out and there was no damage on The Hill. The only negative was that all the satellites were out and they could not get the Notre Dame bowl game on the bar television. We ordered drinks and took a gander at the menu. It's a pretty simple selection at Milo's... sandwiches, pasta or pizza with a few specials depending on the day. We got a starter of toasted ravioli and griped about missing the Irish on TV. Everyone went with pasta and sammies except me.
I opted for the hot chicken wing pizza. We enjoyed the local flavor in the bar area while we
waited for our order to arrive. There was a guy puffing on a big stogie telling others at the bar about the damage the tornado did over in the Sunset Hills area, the bartender was negotiating with DirectTV to get someone out to Milo's to get their TV's running so they could get the Fighting Irish on the television. For the record, I read where Milo's will officially be a smoke free establishment starting 2/7/11.The food was brought out rather quickly and the pizza looked and smelled excellent. It was a 9 inch pie loaded with small chunks of chicken covered with chopped tomatoes and gooey provel cheese. This pizza was just a real nice surprise. There was a moderate flavor of buffalo sauce mixed in with the marinara and provel as well as a distinct garlic infused olive oil probably brushed on the crust. The chicken was just chicken, nothing special maybe a little bland but the tomatoes were spot on. They offset the spicy kick of the buffalo sauce perfectly.
The whole thing sat on a crispy, well baked crust that would make any St. Louis pizza chef proud. The composition, presentation and flavor of this pizza was just outstanding.
I can guarantee one thing... I will be back for another one.
SPP Ranking: 9.0
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Cash & Carry... Dillon's
It's been a while since I've checked in with a review so I figured try a spot I've never had before. So here we go with Dillon's Pizza.
A couple of things I don't like about this joint from the get go is the fact that there is no dining room with carry out or drive thru only. The upside is you can order from the bar next door and eat in there. The Somewhere Else Lounge...nice place. Secondly, Dillon's is a cash only establishment. No checks, no plastic. Very inconvenient. The customers don't seem to mind much as this place does a good business.
Where they're located:
500 N. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL
Call 'Em:
217-544-3206
The Pizza: Half cheese/half bacon & shroom
The Crust: Thin
The Dish: One of the cleaner restaurants around the area with an extremely friendly staff, Dillon's is a no frills joint with a counter and a small waiting area. Very accommodating ordering process and up front prices with the tax built in for an even payment amount which is a plus since it is cash and carry.
How'd it eat: Right from the start let's just say that this pizza was absolutely PACKED with toppings. Since this was a half/half pie with one half just sporting cheese topping (for my 6 year old) this is really like two different pizzas. I must admit I was secretly looking for a little provel or other creamy cheese to go with the oodles of mozzarella on the cheese side. Well... not so fast. I did enjoy the mozzi because it did have a nice flavor, I just felt like something was missing. It may have been the lack of cheese mixture or maybe it was the fact that there was very little seasoning on
the cheese side. The bacon and mushroom half was much more impressive. The hot, delicious, crispy bacon was everywhere and there plenty of firm mushrooms in both short and long cuts. The mozzi was just as tasty and well spread out on this half as it was on the other half and there was a slight flavor of sweet basil.
The sauce was a major disappointment though... mainly because I could barely taste any or see any. Come on Dillon's! Don't skimp on the sauce. That is a quarter of any pizza, and you just can't get away with going that light on the sauce. Period.
The crust on the other hand is probably the best aspect of this pizza. Crisp, crunchy with perfect "doneness". Although I like my crust a little thinner I don't really have anything critical to say about the Dillon's foundation. Just as stiff in the center as it is on the edges with no burn. Crusty yummy!
Let's face it, Dillon's makes a nice, traditional pie. Better than average in the Springfield area and a place that definitely has a niche on the northside pizza scene. I'll certainly recommend Dillon's because overall it is a nice pizza. Ask for extra sauce.
SPP Rating 7.4
A couple of things I don't like about this joint from the get go is the fact that there is no dining room with carry out or drive thru only. The upside is you can order from the bar next door and eat in there. The Somewhere Else Lounge...nice place. Secondly, Dillon's is a cash only establishment. No checks, no plastic. Very inconvenient. The customers don't seem to mind much as this place does a good business.
Where they're located:
500 N. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL
Call 'Em:
217-544-3206
The Pizza: Half cheese/half bacon & shroom
The Crust: Thin
The Dish: One of the cleaner restaurants around the area with an extremely friendly staff, Dillon's is a no frills joint with a counter and a small waiting area. Very accommodating ordering process and up front prices with the tax built in for an even payment amount which is a plus since it is cash and carry.
How'd it eat: Right from the start let's just say that this pizza was absolutely PACKED with toppings. Since this was a half/half pie with one half just sporting cheese topping (for my 6 year old) this is really like two different pizzas. I must admit I was secretly looking for a little provel or other creamy cheese to go with the oodles of mozzarella on the cheese side. Well... not so fast. I did enjoy the mozzi because it did have a nice flavor, I just felt like something was missing. It may have been the lack of cheese mixture or maybe it was the fact that there was very little seasoning on
the cheese side. The bacon and mushroom half was much more impressive. The hot, delicious, crispy bacon was everywhere and there plenty of firm mushrooms in both short and long cuts. The mozzi was just as tasty and well spread out on this half as it was on the other half and there was a slight flavor of sweet basil.The sauce was a major disappointment though... mainly because I could barely taste any or see any. Come on Dillon's! Don't skimp on the sauce. That is a quarter of any pizza, and you just can't get away with going that light on the sauce. Period.
The crust on the other hand is probably the best aspect of this pizza. Crisp, crunchy with perfect "doneness". Although I like my crust a little thinner I don't really have anything critical to say about the Dillon's foundation. Just as stiff in the center as it is on the edges with no burn. Crusty yummy!
Let's face it, Dillon's makes a nice, traditional pie. Better than average in the Springfield area and a place that definitely has a niche on the northside pizza scene. I'll certainly recommend Dillon's because overall it is a nice pizza. Ask for extra sauce.
SPP Rating 7.4
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Top 15 pizzas in Springfield
1. Bernie & Betty's Pizza - 9.2
2. Sam's Italian Pizza - 8.8
3. PJ's Pizza & Pasta 8.6
4. Palermo Sicilian Cucina - 8.3
6. Mario's Italian Restaurant & Pizzaria - 7.9
6. Gallina Pizza - 7.9
7. Luca Pizza - 7.8
9. Gabatoni's - 7.5
9. Joe's Italian Pizza - 7.5
10. Rico's - Sherman - 7.0
11. Leo's Pizza - Petersburg 6.7
12. Top Cat's Grill & Chill - 6.6
13. Sam's Too - Sherman - 6.3
14. Coz's Pizza & Pub - 5.9
15. Vic's Pizza - 4.7
2. Sam's Italian Pizza - 8.8
3. PJ's Pizza & Pasta 8.6
4. Palermo Sicilian Cucina - 8.3
6. Mario's Italian Restaurant & Pizzaria - 7.9
6. Gallina Pizza - 7.9
7. Luca Pizza - 7.8
9. Gabatoni's - 7.5
9. Joe's Italian Pizza - 7.5
10. Rico's - Sherman - 7.0
11. Leo's Pizza - Petersburg 6.7
12. Top Cat's Grill & Chill - 6.6
13. Sam's Too - Sherman - 6.3
14. Coz's Pizza & Pub - 5.9
15. Vic's Pizza - 4.7
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Who's The Boss? Uncle Tykie's that's who.
I have a couple of reviews I have been meaning to post however I just enjoyed a pie from a new local restaurant and I want to post my thoughts on this one while it's still fresh. You may have noticed we lost a restaurant in Athens a few months ago... Well we recently gained a new restaurant in the same location that is serving up some tasty grub. Uncle Tykie's Prairie Fire Grill & Pizzaria is making a splash in Athens so far.
Where they're located:
213 N Main St
Athens, IL
Call Em:
217-636-8400
The Pizza: The Boss Hawg
The Crust: Hand Stretched
The Dish: Deldon "Uncle Tykie" Krueger has recently opened a new restaurant location in Athens after a successful run in Ashland. He has now turned his Ashland restaurant into a headquarters for his catering business. Frankly... Ashland's loss is Athens' gain.
Uncle Tykie's is not a typical pizza joint. The decor is simple and slick and it screams...BBQ. The dining area is not large but the tables are spaced well and it doesn't seem small when you're eating in.
Krueger's specialties are his fried chicken and pork bbq with BBQ ribs checking in as one of his best sellers. The hamburgers at Uncle Tykie's are also something to behold and to taste, with offerings such as "The Big Tykie" and the "Diablo Burger". But don't worry... This place does pizza, and they do pizza well. We had a busy night tonight between teeball practice and some some grocery shopping so we called in take-out to enjoy at home while unwinding from a packed day.
How'd it eat? Well first off I want to give Uncle Tykie's props for absolutely nailing the pick-up time of my pie. I rolled in as advised on the phone (20 minutes) just as they were pulling my pizza from the oven. Money.
The Boss Hawg is an interesting pizza and not one I have sampled before. It is a heavy pie, loaded with ham, sausage and bacon... perfectly roasted and smothered with fresh, top notch mozzarella cheese. The hand stretched crust boasts a slightly smoky flavor and has the kind of crispiness that held up well under the strain of the copious toppings. The crust was just about perfect from outside to center.
In my humble opinion, the lynchpin of this pizza is the sauce. That's right folks, the sauce. It's not your average tomato based pizza or marinara sauce which is why it's outstanding. This sauce is Uncle Tykie's special blend BBQ sauce. The sauce sets off and compliments the pork toppings well. It has an obscure sweetness that meshes so well with the saltiness of the bacon and ham. It's literally finger licking good. Bring on the wet wipes!
Uncle Tykie has a winner with this pie and I highly recommend it. Word is he has developed a new apple/BBQ sauce but I'm not sure how I feel about it being added to this pizza. I know this much... It's not broke. ;-) Although I do want to get a taste of this new innovation maybe on some ribs, or a pork chop. Leave the pizza be.
SPP Ranking: 8.7
Where they're located:213 N Main St
Athens, IL
Call Em:
217-636-8400
The Pizza: The Boss Hawg
The Crust: Hand Stretched
The Dish: Deldon "Uncle Tykie" Krueger has recently opened a new restaurant location in Athens after a successful run in Ashland. He has now turned his Ashland restaurant into a headquarters for his catering business. Frankly... Ashland's loss is Athens' gain.
Uncle Tykie's is not a typical pizza joint. The decor is simple and slick and it screams...BBQ. The dining area is not large but the tables are spaced well and it doesn't seem small when you're eating in.
Krueger's specialties are his fried chicken and pork bbq with BBQ ribs checking in as one of his best sellers. The hamburgers at Uncle Tykie's are also something to behold and to taste, with offerings such as "The Big Tykie" and the "Diablo Burger". But don't worry... This place does pizza, and they do pizza well. We had a busy night tonight between teeball practice and some some grocery shopping so we called in take-out to enjoy at home while unwinding from a packed day.
How'd it eat? Well first off I want to give Uncle Tykie's props for absolutely nailing the pick-up time of my pie. I rolled in as advised on the phone (20 minutes) just as they were pulling my pizza from the oven. Money.
The Boss Hawg is an interesting pizza and not one I have sampled before. It is a heavy pie, loaded with ham, sausage and bacon... perfectly roasted and smothered with fresh, top notch mozzarella cheese. The hand stretched crust boasts a slightly smoky flavor and has the kind of crispiness that held up well under the strain of the copious toppings. The crust was just about perfect from outside to center.
In my humble opinion, the lynchpin of this pizza is the sauce. That's right folks, the sauce. It's not your average tomato based pizza or marinara sauce which is why it's outstanding. This sauce is Uncle Tykie's special blend BBQ sauce. The sauce sets off and compliments the pork toppings well. It has an obscure sweetness that meshes so well with the saltiness of the bacon and ham. It's literally finger licking good. Bring on the wet wipes!
Uncle Tykie has a winner with this pie and I highly recommend it. Word is he has developed a new apple/BBQ sauce but I'm not sure how I feel about it being added to this pizza. I know this much... It's not broke. ;-) Although I do want to get a taste of this new innovation maybe on some ribs, or a pork chop. Leave the pizza be.
SPP Ranking: 8.7
Monday, February 22, 2010
Pizza This Week
Well... I had pizza today. Imo's in Collinsville. I was visiting my folks and since I am unable to get a fresh Imo's pie here in central Illinois they are always open to a little pizza when I am in town. My dad loves it because my visits usually guarantee a a couple of pies from the local Imo's.
I remain on my diet which is strictly enforced during the week. Salads, light soups, fish and fresh fruit will dominate again this week. I've dropped just about twenty pounds in the last month and right now I am sitting at just about a biscuit over 300. Fit Club West is still a regular stop in my day.
My plan for pizza this week revolves around the monthly poker game this Saturday night. I will come bearing some pizza pies and will get individual gambler reactions to the pizza along with my own review.
The pizza parlor in my sights? That will stay secret for now.
-PizzaMan
I remain on my diet which is strictly enforced during the week. Salads, light soups, fish and fresh fruit will dominate again this week. I've dropped just about twenty pounds in the last month and right now I am sitting at just about a biscuit over 300. Fit Club West is still a regular stop in my day.
My plan for pizza this week revolves around the monthly poker game this Saturday night. I will come bearing some pizza pies and will get individual gambler reactions to the pizza along with my own review.
The pizza parlor in my sights? That will stay secret for now.
-PizzaMan
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Quick Stop @ Horsehoe Bar & Grill - Collinsville, IL
Horseshoe Sports Bar
Saturday Morning View
Morning goodness.
Washed it down with a Snapple diet peach green tea.
That is all.
-PizzaMan
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Blue Duck is cooked
We had a restaurant in town that opened about 6 months or so ago. Overall their food wasn't that great but they did have a few dishes that were pretty good. I was partial to their Pot Roast dish with potatoes and carrots. It was one of their better menu items. I noticed toward the end of their run they were trying new things including offering chili and sooup and sandwiches. They also had an amped up horseshoe cheese made from pepperjack on the menu. I regret I didn't get a chance to try the chili and the new horseshoe. Their original horseshoe was just bad.
I guess I am disappointed The Blue Duck didn't succeed because it's nice to have a few restaurants in town to choose from and the folks who ran it seemed friendly enough.
Guess they should have tried pizza.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Weekend Notes: 02/14/10
No pizza for me this week. We did have Mexican last night from Cancun in Sherman.
I lost another 3 pounds last week and I am on the verge of dropping below three bills for the first time in 3 years.
We have a family day planned for this hallmark holiday. Bitty basketball followed by a trip to Build-a-Bear and supper out...most likely at a steakhouse. We are leaning toward Texas Roadhouse.
See ya over a pizza!
-PizzaMan
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Just up the road: PJ's Pizza & Pasta
Well we were in Mason City to watch a little hoops, (Illini Central vs. Pleasant Plains) and also to watch the halftime show. Our good friend's twin 4 year old daughters were dancing in the halftime show so I figured I'd snag a few pics of them. After the game/halftime show we rolled down the street to have dinner at PJ's.
Where they're located:
124 E. Chestnut St.
Mason City, IL
Where they're located:
124 E. Chestnut St.
Mason City, IL
Call 'Em:
217-482-3616
The Pizza: Cajun
The Crust: Hand-tossed
The Dish: PJ's is a different kind of restaurant. It is a small town eating establishment that offers meals that are more likely found in a big city specialty joint. There are two dining areas here and really two different restaurants. On one side you have PJ's and the other is considered Jack & Jo's. You can order off either menu regardless of what dining room you are seated in.
PJ's is in downtown Mason City right next to Mason City Limits comedy club. The atmosphere is friendly and local and the restaurant's owner, John Means can usually be found seating people or visiting with the diners.
How'd it eat? My pizza arrived after about 15 minutes and a couple of cold Budweisers. The smell of fresh garlic, marinara and sizzling steak was filling up the dining area as the server brought everyone's food. The cajun pizza sitting front of me was loaded with toppings of chicken, ch
orizo and shrimp. The flavor on this pie was well balanced and rested comfortably on the zesty creme based cajun pizza sauce mixed up by the chef at PJ's. As wonderful as the meat toppings were it was the sauce that really made this pie. The sauce had the consitency of a nice alfredo and had distinct seasoning from cayenne or red pepper and a little paprika among other flavors. It's not too strong or spicy. Even those who are easily overpowered by spice will not have any issues with this pie.
orizo and shrimp. The flavor on this pie was well balanced and rested comfortably on the zesty creme based cajun pizza sauce mixed up by the chef at PJ's. As wonderful as the meat toppings were it was the sauce that really made this pie. The sauce had the consitency of a nice alfredo and had distinct seasoning from cayenne or red pepper and a little paprika among other flavors. It's not too strong or spicy. Even those who are easily overpowered by spice will not have any issues with this pie. The cheese appeared to be a mixture of mozzarella and jack and it fused well with the spicy chorizo and mild shrimp. This mixture allowed the flavors of the meat toppings and the robust sauce to carry the pie.
Crustwise this pizza got it done. The crust was a slim hand-tossed that tasted like it was maybe brushed with olive oil or had some bit of seasoning added. It had a smart crunch all the way to the center, with a firm top and it was not overdone. I sprinkled on a little crushed red pepper to add some spice to this pie. I likey some spicy.
The 30 minute drive up to Mason City from Springfield is definitely worth the trip. You're gonna get a tasty pizza with a little small town charm...and if you plan it right an evening of laughter at Mason City Limits. Try PJ's out, you won't be sorry.
SPP Ranking: 8.6
Monday, February 8, 2010
Gallina's Pizza
Ended up on the east side of town again on a Friday for the much anticipated showdown between the Lincoln Railsplitters and the Southeast Spartans for a piece of the Central State 8 crown. Needing another pizza on the east side of town I found my way into Gallina Pizza at the Capital City Shopping Center. Glad I wondered in...
Where they're located:
3133 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62703-4501
Call 'Em:
(217) 529-0649
The Pizza:
Spinach and Bacon
The Crust: Hand Tossed
The Dish: You don't see many pizza parlors in the Springfield area where you make your order at a counter or window and then go sit down and wait for a slice or entire pie to delivered to your table.
Now I had heard some people say they had a long wait for their pizza after they made their order, even for just a slice. It appears to me those may have been exagerations. It took me about 12 minutes to get my pizza and while I waited I enjoyed an excellent salad topped with the Gallina house Italian dressing and a fat green olive on top. The salad was enjoyable and the dressing was especially good.
One of the interesting aspects of Gallina's is the decor. There are Italian flags, posters of Italian landmarks, Serie A soccer club paraphernalia and other photographs of family and friends who frequest this restaurant. It's an eclectic mix of adornments but it works. Cold Peroni beer kept me satisfied after I finished my salad and waited for my pie to be delivered.
Where they're located:
3133 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62703-4501
Call 'Em:
(217) 529-0649
The Pizza:
Spinach and Bacon
The Crust: Hand Tossed
The Dish: You don't see many pizza parlors in the Springfield area where you make your order at a counter or window and then go sit down and wait for a slice or entire pie to delivered to your table.
Now I had heard some people say they had a long wait for their pizza after they made their order, even for just a slice. It appears to me those may have been exagerations. It took me about 12 minutes to get my pizza and while I waited I enjoyed an excellent salad topped with the Gallina house Italian dressing and a fat green olive on top. The salad was enjoyable and the dressing was especially good.
One of the interesting aspects of Gallina's is the decor. There are Italian flags, posters of Italian landmarks, Serie A soccer club paraphernalia and other photographs of family and friends who frequest this restaurant. It's an eclectic mix of adornments but it works. Cold Peroni beer kept me satisfied after I finished my salad and waited for my pie to be delivered.
How'd it eat? My pizza arrived in a timely manner and was served with shakers of parm and 
crushed red pepper. The pizza was served piping hot straight from the oven and it looked and smelled wonderful. I burned the roof of my mouth with hot cheese because I couldn't wait long enough for it to cool a little.
crushed red pepper. The pizza was served piping hot straight from the oven and it looked and smelled wonderful. I burned the roof of my mouth with hot cheese because I couldn't wait long enough for it to cool a little. This pizza featured an excellent fusion of toppings and cheese. The bubbly hot mozzarella blanketed the crispy bacon and tasty green spinach. I think the bacon/spinach topping combo is one of the better choices for a good pizza.
The crust could have been a tad bit better. It was slightly overcooked on one of the quadrants . The top of the pizza was cooked just about as good as it could have been though. The edge of the crust that was overcooked could have been due to the extremely hot oven. Sometimes these ovens over time don't heat evenly causing the pies to need to be turned and shifted more often.
The sauce was not anything special but it was rendered in appropriate amounts. Not too much, not too little, but just enough.
Gallina Pizza was very good and really... a pleasant surprise. This is a true mom and pop pizza joint and is nice place to enjoy some pie with friend or family.
SPP Ranking: 7.9
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Super Bowl Sunday? No Pie For This Guy!
As you may or may not know, I am completing my Springfield Pizza Project in conjuction with a diet and lifestyle change. Which means regular workouts and a radical diet upgrade. Unfortunately upgrade DOES NOT mean more pizza. It means less pizza on the whole. Instead of sitting down and demolishing an entire large pie I am just putting a dent in a small one. So for now everything is good on my program. I began it on January 19th and today is February 7th. That's 20 days. I weighed this past Friday (day 18) and I was down 12.2 pounds since beginning the program. I am proud of that considering there are 6 pizza reviews completed during this span.
So today I plan to eat a little too much and also drink a llittle to much as well. I enjoyed pizza the last two evenings for dinner so today I'm going to fall off the wagon with summer sausage, cheese and crackers, wings, chips, dips and plenty of Old Milwaukee light...my light beer of choice right now.
Happy Super Bowl Sunday. Go NFC!!!!!
P.S. - Stay tuned for reviews on Gallina Pizza in Springfield and PJ's Pizza & Pasta in Mason City.
-PizzaMan
So today I plan to eat a little too much and also drink a llittle to much as well. I enjoyed pizza the last two evenings for dinner so today I'm going to fall off the wagon with summer sausage, cheese and crackers, wings, chips, dips and plenty of Old Milwaukee light...my light beer of choice right now.
Happy Super Bowl Sunday. Go NFC!!!!!
P.S. - Stay tuned for reviews on Gallina Pizza in Springfield and PJ's Pizza & Pasta in Mason City.
-PizzaMan
Friday, February 5, 2010
Checkin in' from Gallina
- PizzaMan
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Bingo! Bernie & Betty's Pizza
After many recommendations we finally got into the mom and pop joint on the corner of Spring and Allen in Springfield. It was a plus that we got to enjoy this pizza with family and on a Saturday night. So there was good company to go along with even better pizza.
Where they're located:
1101 Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704-2925
Call 'Em:
(217) 528-1821
We attended mass at St. Joseph's Catholic church on the northend of town and then met at B&B for some dinner. This
was my last "birthday dinner" as my birthday was already 10 days gone but we are close with my wife's Aunt and Uncle and so they wanted to take me out to eat for my birthday. I thought this would be a good a time as any to enjoy some pizza from Bernie and Betty's.
They take reservations here so we had a table set for 5:45PM and were immediately seated when we got there. The restaurant wasn't too busy at this point which we appreciated because we were heading out to watch some MMA later in the evening.
We ordered drinks and an appetizer and waited for the pies to arrive. Deep fried mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and onion rings arrived quickly and weren't remarkable. Probably no different than you can get anywhere else around town.
I think the service could have been a little more attentive considering we got there early before the restaurant filled up. There were a couple of times when thirsty diners at our table were left staring at empty glasses. That's not to say the service was bad... Our server was very friendly and accomodating, just not easily accessable. Luckily... The pizza helped me forget about all that.
How'd it eat? There's no reason to beat around the bush. This pizza was very, very good. It was loaded with fresh toppings, an even amount of gooey mozzarella cheese, a wonderful sweet, tangy tomato sauce all on top of an expertly baked, crispy, crunchy thin crust. I didn't find any drawbacks to this pizza at all. While I enjoy most pizzas I sample there are almost always little aspects of each pizza I would like to see done differently or improved. I have no such comments about Bernie and Betty's thin crust pizza. This is certainly one of the best pies in town.
Overall I was most impressed with the pizza sauce that Bernie and Betty's delivers but the overall package is about as good as it gets in and around Springfield. Also included in the offficial review is the SF sourdough pizza which is an excellent choice if you are looking for something different than a traditional Springfield thin crust pie. Either way you're gonna be a winner.
SPP Ranking: 9.2
Where they're located:
1101 Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704-2925
Call 'Em:
(217) 528-1821
The Pizza:
Pepperoni, Tomato and green pepper
The Crust: Thin
The Dish:We attended mass at St. Joseph's Catholic church on the northend of town and then met at B&B for some dinner. This
was my last "birthday dinner" as my birthday was already 10 days gone but we are close with my wife's Aunt and Uncle and so they wanted to take me out to eat for my birthday. I thought this would be a good a time as any to enjoy some pizza from Bernie and Betty's.They take reservations here so we had a table set for 5:45PM and were immediately seated when we got there. The restaurant wasn't too busy at this point which we appreciated because we were heading out to watch some MMA later in the evening.
We ordered drinks and an appetizer and waited for the pies to arrive. Deep fried mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and onion rings arrived quickly and weren't remarkable. Probably no different than you can get anywhere else around town.
I think the service could have been a little more attentive considering we got there early before the restaurant filled up. There were a couple of times when thirsty diners at our table were left staring at empty glasses. That's not to say the service was bad... Our server was very friendly and accomodating, just not easily accessable. Luckily... The pizza helped me forget about all that.
How'd it eat? There's no reason to beat around the bush. This pizza was very, very good. It was loaded with fresh toppings, an even amount of gooey mozzarella cheese, a wonderful sweet, tangy tomato sauce all on top of an expertly baked, crispy, crunchy thin crust. I didn't find any drawbacks to this pizza at all. While I enjoy most pizzas I sample there are almost always little aspects of each pizza I would like to see done differently or improved. I have no such comments about Bernie and Betty's thin crust pizza. This is certainly one of the best pies in town.
Being that I had dinner here with a group we decided to try one of the Bernie and Betty's San Francisco sourdough crust pizza pies. The toppings chosen were sausage and Canadian bacon but the crust was definitely the star on this pie pan.
Overall I was most impressed with the pizza sauce that Bernie and Betty's delivers but the overall package is about as good as it gets in and around Springfield. Also included in the offficial review is the SF sourdough pizza which is an excellent choice if you are looking for something different than a traditional Springfield thin crust pie. Either way you're gonna be a winner.
SPP Ranking: 9.2
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Upcoming Review: Bernie and Betty's Pizza
Invasion completed. We hit Bernie and Betty's Pizza last Saturday night. I hope to have the review posted by Wednesday.
-PizzaMan
-PizzaMan
Feline like a pizza? Top Cat's Chill & Grill
Once again I found myself with a little extra time available between a workout and a basketball game last Friday night. So, on the advice of someone at work I rolled into the Laketown area of Springfield to sample some pie at Top Cat's Chill & Grill.
Where they're located:
1822 Adlai Stevenson Dr
Springfield, IL 62703-4233
Call 'Em:
(217) 529-4005
The Pizza:
Pepperoni and Jalapeno
The Crust: Thin
The Dish: This was my first ever visit to Top Cat's. The first thing I noticed was that this place is a lot bigger on the inside than you would think after just seeing it from the outside. They need all the room too because they can pack them in. It's really a pub style restaurant with a good atmosphere that is very family friendly... I saw numerous kids in the building enjoying the food as much as the adults.
I settled in at a small table in the bar area and enjoyed some Doss Equis and watched the Australian Open on huge flatscreen projection TV that can also be seen from the main dining area while I waited for my pizza to arrive.
The service was fast and friendly but my waiter did let my first beer sit empty for a tad too long. I think he realized it and other than that one minor annoyance he did a really good job. My pizza arrived in good time and fresh from the oven. I sipped my beer a little and watched the steam rise off the hot pizza while the guy at the table over the short wall between us tried to convince hist wife that yellow mustard goes better with a bratwurst than brown mustard. I'm with the wife... brown mustard. Come on.
How'd it eat? I want to preface this section by saying I really wanted to love this pizza. I had heard some excellent things about the pie they put out at Top Cat's and I think I went in with a few preconceptions. I was expecting the cheese to be softer mix of processed mozzarella with some real mozzarella. Don't get me wrong... the cheese was good. Just different than what I expected. I also expected the crust to be different than what I got. I thought it would be slightly thicker but still be on the thin side...you know still thin but with a little doughy consistency.
What I got was good old fashioned St. Louis style thin crust. It was a tasty crust too. I'm not sure if they spread a little olive oil or something on the crust prior to baking it but this one was good. Better than expected.
My toppings were pepperoni and jalapeno peppers because I was in the mood for a spicy kick. Boy did I get it. The peppers were just spicy enough without being overbearing and delivered in copious amounts evenly around the pie. The pepperoni had equally impressive flavor but it was drowned out by the cheese. I had to dig a few slices out of the abundance of cheese to get a sample. A little less cheese and a little more meat would be an improvement, in my opinion.
Now let's get to the sauce. On your basic pizza it is located right between the crust and toppings. This pizza was extremely short on sauce. I know many people prefer a little less sauce.. it cuts down on the heartburn later. I dislike the heartburn too, but I need some flavorful sauce to kind of be the gateway between a good crispy crust and the toppings. It kind of fuses the two together. It's an important component in a complete pizza. It's a delicate balance in my opinion. It is easy to have too much or not enough. This pie did not have enough.
Overall I enjoyed this pizza from Top Cat's. There were a couple of aspects I would prefer them to do differently (more sauce, less cheese), but in the end they still have make a tasty pie with plenty of upside, including a fantastic crust. Add in the friendly neighborhood atmosphere and you've got the recipe for a great Friday night with family or friends.
SPP Ranking: 6.6
Where they're located:
1822 Adlai Stevenson Dr
Springfield, IL 62703-4233
Call 'Em:
(217) 529-4005
The Pizza:
Pepperoni and Jalapeno
The Crust: Thin
The Dish: This was my first ever visit to Top Cat's. The first thing I noticed was that this place is a lot bigger on the inside than you would think after just seeing it from the outside. They need all the room too because they can pack them in. It's really a pub style restaurant with a good atmosphere that is very family friendly... I saw numerous kids in the building enjoying the food as much as the adults.
I settled in at a small table in the bar area and enjoyed some Doss Equis and watched the Australian Open on huge flatscreen projection TV that can also be seen from the main dining area while I waited for my pizza to arrive.
The service was fast and friendly but my waiter did let my first beer sit empty for a tad too long. I think he realized it and other than that one minor annoyance he did a really good job. My pizza arrived in good time and fresh from the oven. I sipped my beer a little and watched the steam rise off the hot pizza while the guy at the table over the short wall between us tried to convince hist wife that yellow mustard goes better with a bratwurst than brown mustard. I'm with the wife... brown mustard. Come on.
How'd it eat? I want to preface this section by saying I really wanted to love this pizza. I had heard some excellent things about the pie they put out at Top Cat's and I think I went in with a few preconceptions. I was expecting the cheese to be softer mix of processed mozzarella with some real mozzarella. Don't get me wrong... the cheese was good. Just different than what I expected. I also expected the crust to be different than what I got. I thought it would be slightly thicker but still be on the thin side...you know still thin but with a little doughy consistency.
What I got was good old fashioned St. Louis style thin crust. It was a tasty crust too. I'm not sure if they spread a little olive oil or something on the crust prior to baking it but this one was good. Better than expected.My toppings were pepperoni and jalapeno peppers because I was in the mood for a spicy kick. Boy did I get it. The peppers were just spicy enough without being overbearing and delivered in copious amounts evenly around the pie. The pepperoni had equally impressive flavor but it was drowned out by the cheese. I had to dig a few slices out of the abundance of cheese to get a sample. A little less cheese and a little more meat would be an improvement, in my opinion.
Now let's get to the sauce. On your basic pizza it is located right between the crust and toppings. This pizza was extremely short on sauce. I know many people prefer a little less sauce.. it cuts down on the heartburn later. I dislike the heartburn too, but I need some flavorful sauce to kind of be the gateway between a good crispy crust and the toppings. It kind of fuses the two together. It's an important component in a complete pizza. It's a delicate balance in my opinion. It is easy to have too much or not enough. This pie did not have enough.
Overall I enjoyed this pizza from Top Cat's. There were a couple of aspects I would prefer them to do differently (more sauce, less cheese), but in the end they still have make a tasty pie with plenty of upside, including a fantastic crust. Add in the friendly neighborhood atmosphere and you've got the recipe for a great Friday night with family or friends.
SPP Ranking: 6.6
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday Notes
I'm just geting prepped for some pizza tonight. Just got done watching some Hoosier basketball. (Tough loss to the hated Illini. Props to Illinois though... they finished better.)
Gonna head over to church and get right with the G-O-D and then off to a Springfield restauraant with a great reputation for pizza and get a dinner and review in...
Gonna be good company tonight although Justin and Megan will missed.
Later MMA fights...might take some pics.
-PizzaMan
Gonna head over to church and get right with the G-O-D and then off to a Springfield restauraant with a great reputation for pizza and get a dinner and review in...
Gonna be good company tonight although Justin and Megan will missed.
Later MMA fights...might take some pics.
-PizzaMan
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday Night Pie
After getting a recommendation from someone at my day job I found a couple hours to make a dinner stop for pizza at Top Cats restaurant.
I worked out twice today so I was hungry for a little pizza pie.
Stay tuned for a review on Top Cats pizza Sunday. I also plan to hit a legendary Springfield pizza place Saturday night prior to the Capital City Cage wars. Look for that review in he next few days as well.
-PizzaMan
I worked out twice today so I was hungry for a little pizza pie.
Stay tuned for a review on Top Cats pizza Sunday. I also plan to hit a legendary Springfield pizza place Saturday night prior to the Capital City Cage wars. Look for that review in he next few days as well.
-PizzaMan
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Back in Springfield - Targeting a Pizza
Well, after spending last weekend in the metroeast I am back in the 217 to get a taste of some Springfield pie. Saturday night is the night...
Meanwhile I continue on with my diet and exercise regimen. I even rented a locker at the gym and stocked it with workout gear, towels and swim trunks. That way I am always ready to go.
So can I sample pizza all around town and maintain my diet? Only time will tell. I'll keep you posted.
I have targeted a Springfield favorite for Saturday night. Stay tuned.
-PizzaMan
Meanwhile I continue on with my diet and exercise regimen. I even rented a locker at the gym and stocked it with workout gear, towels and swim trunks. That way I am always ready to go.
So can I sample pizza all around town and maintain my diet? Only time will tell. I'll keep you posted.
I have targeted a Springfield favorite for Saturday night. Stay tuned.
-PizzaMan
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