http://onmilwaukee.com/rss/rss_rickrodriguez.xml Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Rick Rodriguez en-us Fri, 24 May 2013 05:45:34 CDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://onmilwaukee.com/images/layout/rss_logo.png http://onmilwaukee.com 144 30 On my many visits to the east side, I've driven past the intersection of Weil and Locust. I've noticed a pizzeria there before, but a few months ago, I noticed a name change. Antonio "Tony" Balsamo opened Antonio's Pizza, 1000 E. Locust St., around two months ago. I decided to stop in and see if he had the perfect pizza for me. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rickrodriguez052213.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rickrodriguez052213.html?33859 Wed, 22 May 2013 12:06:00 CDT The story of Pietro's starts with Filippo Tarantino who worked as a baker in Sicily and moved to the United States in 1959. He found his way to Milwaukee and worked for Grebe's Bakery until 1973 when he accumulated enough savings to open Pietro's Pizza, named after one of his sons. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez051614.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez051614.html?33785 Wed, 15 May 2013 12:04:00 CDT Filippo's Italian Restaurant, 6915 W. Lincoln Ave., is one of the many pizzerias on Lincoln Avenue that I've alluded to in past blogs. Several people have been asking when I was going to visit Filippo's, so I stopped in on a slow night to try the sausage, mushroom and onion on thin crust and a sausage and pepperoni on the regular hand-tossed pizza. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez050813.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez050813.html?33704 Wed, 8 May 2013 12:02:00 CDT Five years ago, Manual Castellanos, Jr. was looking for a new opportunity after working as an auto worker at a GM plant. He found Bobanna's for sale so he and his family made the purchase. I decided to stop in and check out the Hawaiian pizza and Meat Lovers pizza. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguezblog050113.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguezblog050113.html?33616 Wed, 1 May 2013 12:01:00 CDT The Bonanza Shopping Center is not even a glimmer of what it once was, but Gianelli's Pizza and Chicken Man are doing their best to keep some life in the building, and I think they're doing a good job. They blew me away with the texture and sweetness of their handmade sauce - and did I mention there were strips of bacon on my pizza? http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez042413.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez042413.html?33535 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:03:00 CDT In 1938, newlyweds Rosalie and Alex Ferrante established the first Ferrante's Restaurant in central Milwaukee. A friend and I decided to check out the popular restaurant opened by their kids in Mequon, and we were pleasantly surprised by a Texas Ranch Pizza. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez041713.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez041713.html?33453 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:02:00 CDT I stopped in to the Cudahy location of Papa Luigi's Pizza, owned by Salvatore Purpora and his family. Customer service is a priority here, and I wanted to check out Papa Luigi's mysterious secret blend of spices. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguezblog041013.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguezblog041013.html?33387 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:02:00 CDT Selman "Sal" Ismaili, Sr. moved here from Europe in 1973. Between 1973 and 1982, he worked in machine shops and restaurants until he bought Pizza Chef (now Sofia's) in 1982. Due to his passion for food, he created and developed his own recipes, via trial and error, until he was happy with the results. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguezblog040413.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguezblog040413.html?33338 Thu, 4 Apr 2013 12:02:00 CDT Native Sicilian Anthony "Tony" Armeli opened his restaurant in 1988 and still owns it today. The restaurant serves up a hearty Sunday night buffet featuring pizza, pasta, and broasted chicken. But their thin crust pizza must be seen - and eaten - to be believed. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguezblog032713.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguezblog032713.html?33278 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:03:00 CDT Lisa's pizza is a thing of beauty. If you like thin crust pizza, then you should visit soon. It's on my list of favorites and probably will be for as long as it's open. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez032013.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez032013.html?33189 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:29:00 CDT Buddy's Pizza and Steak, 6239 N. Teutonia Ave., opened last summer and can be easy to miss if you're not looking for it. I decided to stop in and try their Philly steak pizza (curiously, one of the only steak items on the menu) and the Mexican pizza. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez031313.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez031313.html?33109 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:02:00 CDT It's fun to find a quality food in the middle of an old strip mall. Andrea's Pizza and Restaurant did not disappoint. Their homemade sauce alone was enough to make me want to come back for another visit. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez030613.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez030613.html?33036 Wed, 6 Mar 2013 14:06:00 CDT In 1978 Frank Ebert, aka "Big Ebe," grew tired of the construction business and decided to get into the restaurant business. He opened Big Ebe's Pizza, 9125 W. Lincoln Ave., and 35 years later, business is still going strong. I stopped in to try a few pizzas on a busy weekend. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez022713.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez022713.html?32958 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:03:00 CDT Maria's Pizza has been a Milwaukee staple since 1957, but this was my first visit here. The homey pizzeria is family owned and operated, and I was excited to put their legendary pizza to the test. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/perfectpizzamarias.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/perfectpizzamarias.html?32881 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 10:02:00 CDT Le Cakery? That sounds like the name of a bakery. Well, it is, but it's also a café with a unique menu. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez021513.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/rodriguez021513.html?32848 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:27:00 CDT The story of how Tanino's came to be is a great example of why I write these blogs. Frank Laffranchini immigrated to New York from Italy in 1973. Now he's the owner of his own Milwaukee pizzeria. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/taninos020613.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/taninos020613.html?32740 Wed, 6 Feb 2013 16:07:00 CDT Schneider's intrigued me with its low prices and thick, spicy pizza sauce. But I had to remember: you get what you pay for. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/perfectpizza013013.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/perfectpizza013013.html?32661 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:04:00 CDT With a little help from his family, first-generation Sicilian-American Carlo Pedone opened Trattoria di Carlo on Howell Avenue 10 years ago. I stopped by to check out the Barbecue Chicken Pizza. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/trattoriadicarlojan13.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/trattoriadicarlojan13.html?32603 Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:59:00 CDT Barbiere's longevity is impressive given its proximity to another popular Italian restaurant with two locations just a few blocks away. Barbiere's website explains it is about "Family, Superb Food and Quality Ingredients." I guess there is enough business to go around if you produce a quality product. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/barbieres011513.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/barbieres011513.html?32545 Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:53:00 CDT Across from the south end of Southridge Mall is a strip mall where I noticed "PIZZA" in large red letters. I went in for a closer look and found the name "Klasiana" next to those letters. Ylli Proko started Klasiana over six years ago, and it the business has become a family effort with a diverse menu. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/klasianapizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/klasianapizza.html?32478 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:02:00 CDT The DeMarini name has a long history in the Milwaukee-area pizza scene. On my visit to Dom and Phil's I met Phil's wife, Ann, who gave me some of the history of Dom and Phil's emergence to the entrepreneurs they are today. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/domandphilsdemarinis.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/domandphilsdemarinis.html?32407 Thu, 3 Jan 2013 11:56:00 CDT I've driven past Papa Joe's, 5601 W. Vliet St., several times while taking an alternate route to work. The building looked a bit like a dive on the outside, but that's never stopped me from patronizing businesses in the past and it wasn't going to stop me now. In fact, some of the best meals I've had have been in dives. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/papajoespizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/papajoespizza.html?32370 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:36:00 CDT The first time I tried Ned's Pizza was around 20 years ago during a fantasy football draft party. I was a fan instantly, but I didn't live anywhere near their location so over time I forgot about Ned's. I was re-introduced when I bought my house and drove past it on my way to a friend's house. I remembered how much I enjoyed their thin crust and pizza sauce. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/nedspizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/nedspizza.html?32322 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:39:00 CDT I first noticed Leonardo's Pizza, 11051 N. Port Washington Rd., while visiting a nearby business. Located in a strip mall behind a building on Port Washington Road, it can be tricky to find if you don't know where to look. It seemed quiet when I visited early on a Monday evening, but business soon picked up. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/leonardospizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/leonardospizza.html?32243 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:39:00 CDT My dad has a friend who owns a bar a few blocks south of Lincoln on 13th Street. When he is in town, I occasionally join him there for a beverage or two. On my way there, I've passed Benny's Pizza, 1102 W. Lincoln Ave. There were always customers there, so I figured it may be worth a visit. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/bennyspizzablog.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/bennyspizzablog.html?32172 Thu, 6 Dec 2012 11:26:00 CDT Beloit Road is one of the alternate routes I like to take between the southwest suburbs and Downtown during rush hour. Cataro's Italian Villa, 5641 W. Beloit Rd., is one of the establishments I've discovered on that road. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/catarositalianvillablog.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/catarositalianvillablog.html?32101 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:17:00 CDT After visiting a client in Germantown, I drove past a strip mall and noticed a sign with "Aldo's" on it. My mind immediately flashed back to my childhood and wondered if this place was related in any way to the Aldo's I enjoyed in Riverwest many moons ago. I vowed to return, and around six months later, I did. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/aldospizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/aldospizza.html?32033 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:33:00 CDT Marco's "World Famous" Pizza, 6234 S. 27th St., started in 1959. The first time I noticed Marco's Pizza was over 10 years ago, when I used to shoot pool at Romine's. One of my best friends lives near the South 27th Street location and orders from them often. He's a big fan of the sauce and recommended I give their pizza a try. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/marcospizzablog.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/marcospizzablog.html?31998 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:36:00 CDT When I need to get Downtown from Brown Deer after work without risking congestion on I-43, I like taking Highway 57 and following it onto Green Bay Avenue. Traffic moves well, and I get to find different places to eat like Mini's, 6343 N. Green Bay Ave. The "homemade pizza" sign got my attention. It always does. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/minispizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/minispizza.html?31932 Thu, 8 Nov 2012 12:12:00 CDT West Allis seems to have quite the abundance of pizzerias. Fratelli's, 6202 W. Lincoln Ave., is another I found in the Entertainment Book. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/fratellispizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/fratellispizza.html?31865 Thu, 1 Nov 2012 11:17:00 CDT I own one of those Entertainment Books that expires next week, so I thought this would be a good time to start using it. As I paged through the pseudo pizzeria section, I noticed Pepi's Pizza had a coupon in there. It seemed like as good a time as any to try them out. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/pepispizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/pepispizza.html?31809 Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:44:00 CDT Recently a friend of mine asked me if I had tried NYPD and simply raved about how great it was. On my first visit, which was months ago, I thought the wings were great and the pizza was average. But, I trust her palette, so I decided I should give them another try. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/nypdpizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/nypdpizza.html?31739 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:53:00 CDT My first experience with Mr. D's II, 11078 W. National Ave., was when it was just Mr. D's on Greenfield Avenue. I was instantly drawn to the sauce. I was disappointed when that location closed and excited to see that Mike Ziegler, owner of Mr. D's II, brought it back in West Allis. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/mrdspizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/mrdspizza.html?31670 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:39:00 CDT The Mequon Pizza Company, 12020 N. River Rd., in Mequon, was started just two months ago, but the owners have over 10 years experience in the pizza business. A co-worker has been suggesting that I pay them a visit, so I obliged with a recent stop. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/mequonpizzacompany.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/mequonpizzacompany.html?31577 Thu, 4 Oct 2012 11:27:00 CDT Rick Rodriguez honestly cannot remember how or when he heard about Hup's Pizza, but the name kept popping up online and among a few friends, so he thought it was time to finally try it. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/pizzabloghups.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/pizzabloghups.html?31499 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 11:41:00 CDT I attended a networking event at Mozzaluna, 17700 W. Capitol Dr., at the end of July. As I started nibbling and my taste buds perked up, I had to learn more about this pizza. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/mozzalunapizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/mozzalunapizza.html?31351 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:19:00 CDT I've driven past Pizzeria Scotty!, 9809 W. Oklahoma Ave., a few times over the years (have you noticed I do a lot of driving?), but never got around to stopping in. I also don't know anyone who has eaten the pizza there. I happened to be in the area on my way to a Fantasy Football draft, so I figured it was time to try it out and pick up a couple of pies to share with the guys in my league. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/pizzeriascotty.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/pizzeriascotty.html?31282 Thu, 6 Sep 2012 11:52:00 CDT Hanna and John Koro celebrated the one-year anniversary of Loucci's NY Pizza, 4720 W. Lisbon Ave., on Monday. If you prefer a chewy crust (and I know you folks are out there) with a tasty sauce, then Loucci's is worth a visit. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/louccispizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/louccispizza.html?31213 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:42:00 CDT When I lived in New Berlin, I noticed a sign pointing toward the back of a strip mall with the word "pizza" on it. I then noticed a very familiar sign in the window - "Vitucci's" - in the same font and color as the East North Avenue bar bearing the same name. I had to ask the obvious question, and yes, they are related. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/vituccispizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/vituccispizza.html?31130 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:13:00 CDT I discovered Alphonso's, 1119 S. 108th St., in West Allis, thanks to a deal I purchased in January. I'd noticed a couple of different pizza places next to Tandoor on my visits there over the years, but I never got around to trying them until recently. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/alphonsos.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/alphonsos.html?31065 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:26:00 CDT Growing up in the Riverwest neighborhood, my pizza preferences were molded by Aldo's and Roseanne's pizzerias. I miss those pizzas, and I've been searching for their replacements ever since. I've tried dozens and dozens of pizzerias, and if I find one I like, I'm happy to share the news. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/vedospizza.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/rickrodriguez/vedospizza.html?30987 Wed, 8 Aug 2012 10:50:00 CDT