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The OnMilwaukee.com "Slice of Milwaukee" pizza contest featured only one rule, but in the end, the single request determined the winner: Balistreri's Bluemound Inn.

The four participating restaurants -- Classic Slice, Balistreri's, Pizza Man and Zaffiro's -- were asked to create a "Milwaukee" pizza, and they could interpret the sole command however they saw fit. OnMilwaukee.com encouraged the pizza makers to get creative and concoct a new 'za that is deliciously and uniquely Milwaukee.

All four of the restaurants -- which were chosen to compete because they received the most votes in last year's OnMilwaukee.com Best Of contest -- provided extremely flavorful and satisfying pies. The contest judges, also known as the OnMilwaukee.com editorial staff, agreed that all of the edible entries deserved a perfect or near perfect score when it came to taste.

"There's no question all of the pizzas were delicious. These are some of the best pizza places in the city and there's a reason people love them as much as they do," says OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post. "But in terms of the contest, some of the pizzas were just more creative."

Indeed, creativity narrowed the playing field. Pizzas that went beyond taste and used Brew City-based ingredients and / or incorporated Milwaukee culture into the pizza pulled ahead in the race for the top spot.

Two of the restaurants, Balistreri's and Pizza Man, went above and beyond the requirements, delivering a product that was both delicious and unique. However, after tallying points and much discussion, the OnMilwaukee.com editors voted Balistreri's the winner, with Pizza Man a close second. (Pizzas were awarded points for taste, presentation, creativity and "Milwaukee-ness.")

Tom Siever, manager of Balistreri's, says he wanted to create a pizza that "took the best parts of Milwaukee and made it work." The Balistreri's pie featured a beer dough made with Pabst Blue Ribbon. Siever brushed the famous thin crust with sour kraut juice and topped it with two types of 2-year-old, aged white cheddar reduced in Schlitz beer, brat coins boiled in Miller beer, pieces of Usinger's polish sausages, red onion and Bavarian sauerkraut.

"With not one, but all three classic Milwaukee beers used in its entry, it's a shoo-in for the best Milwaukee Slice. Add some Usinger's sausage and -- believe it or not -- sauerkraut and this is the Cream Citiest pie in the contest," says OnMilwaukee.com managing editor Bobby Tanzilo.

Pizza Man created a pie that was a cross between pizza, quiche and shepherd's pie.

"It's dinner at mom's in a pizza," says Pizza Man general manager Aaron Cleavland.

Cleavland and cook Kory Moser created a pizza that they described as "homage to the old and new." The hearty pie featured a medium, flaky crust made with Central Waters' Mud Puppy Porter, topped with Koppa's Farwell Foods' homemade bohemian sausage, mashed potatoes (Cleavland's mom's recipe), Wisconsin corn, caramelized onions and smoked cheddar.

"I was floored by the Pizza Man offering, and replacing the sauce with potato was a stroke of genius. As full as I was, I ate a second piece ... and wished for a third," says publisher Andy Tarnoff.

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11 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by sandstorm on Nov. 1, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (report)

pizza man: easily the worst crust in milwaukee. like cardboard with sandpaper glued to the bottom. and i really don't give a crap if it's all "personal opinion". if you don't like Zafs you're a stone cold moron.

Posted by bozack33 on Oct. 31, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (report)

I just called Balistreri's and their pizza will not be available on the menu for a couple weeks. That sucks because I was going to rock one tonight...............Maybe if everyone called requesting it they'd have it faster? I need to stop looking at the picture........Its looks incredible

Posted by hardgeminiguy on Oct. 30, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (report)

zaffiro's pizza is easily the worst pizza in milwaukee. had heard from people who liked it so i ate there. AWFUL! never went back AND THAT WAS YEARS AGO. the paper thin crust is as if one is eating nothing. a true waste of money and their prices do not reflect eating nothing crusts. pizza man is the best--their classic is wonderful with anchovies added. i always order their largest one so there is plenty to take home. thank-you!

Posted by fatcat on Oct. 30, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (report)

Boy, those pizza's are making me hungry - congrats to all for being involved! Can 't wait to try one

Posted by FunkyBrewster on Oct. 30, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (report)

cheese, sausage, kraut, beer... exactly what i wanted to suggest but i was banned :( i guess its a no brainer though... is anybody really surprised by that concept? if so maybe i should be a chef