Sausage combos never go out of style A staple of your pizza protein offerings, sausage is one of the undisputed customer topping favorites. Second only to pepperoni on a national scale, it’s a flavorful option you simply cannot go without. A histor...

Modern Italy Meets California Hot Italian’s concept, menu sharp amongst heavy competition We visited California’s Hot Italian on a steamy fall day. It was past lunch, but the restaurant was full of folks downing Italian beer and eyeing one anothe...

Easy in Ithaca New York pizzeria has been a college-town  mainstay for more than two decades Ithaca, New York, may be a small college town, but it’s one that is decidedly comprised of foodies who are loyal to local restaurants. Residents and colle...

A look at pizzerias in Hartford Connecticut Naples Pizza Opened in 1995, Naples Pizza is a family-owned and -operated restaurant serving Neapolitan-style pizza, calzones, panini, grinders, pastas and salads. Artisan pies include the Oozy Egg with hou...

Guanciale offers a time bomb of flavor I have many farmer friends who raise pigs in rural Ohio. Over the years, they’ve turned me on to some great “off cuts” that most people don’t see like liver, trotters and neck. One of the most delicious ...

Opening a new restaurant in an iconic area can be tricky Here I was in a new remodel for a Slice House right on Haight Asbury in San Francisco. If you don’t know Haight Ashbury, it’s an iconic corner that became historic in the 60s (and it’s st...

Eggplant Parmesan is hit with both diners and the bottom line, so use the classic dish for inspiration A few friends of mine recently gave me the same answers when I asked them which of their menu dishes were the most profitable. Among the favorites?...

The key to better dough is to understand what you’re working with Truly memorable dough that produces a crust with just the right amount of crunch and an open, complex crumb structure is the Holy Grail for most pizza makers. I rarely meet a pizzaio...

A Guide to building a better beer list As of the end of November 2016, America has more than 5,000 breweries, 99 percent of which are small and independent craft breweries, according the National Brewers Association. Once you get into styles, there a...

Brooklyn Bros. Pizzeria  Seattle, Washington A guitarist who has previously performed with rock bands like Foghat, D. Michael Evola perfected his pizza dough recipe in his garage and opened his first Brooklyn Bros. Pizzeria in 2006. The New York-sty...

I would be lying if I said it was all about the pizza. As much as I’d like to say every ounce of effort should go into your food — that dough formulation and oven skill were all that mattered — the truth is that even the greatest pizza cannot s...

Your wait staff and bartenders are going to determine if you successfully sell craft beer. Their craft beer knowledge is vital to your bottom-line beer sales and profitability, so make sure that they know beer. In order to maximize your sales, your s...

If you’ve got a rewards program, here’s how to make it really work Pitfire Pizza tried printing punch cards for their nine locations — buy 10, get a pie free. They saw their same customers, gave away a few pizzas, but not much else.  Pitfire�...

Are You Winning the Waiting Game? ‘‘Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me. Pardon me.” People hate hearing and saying that at the movies, airport, mall, theatre, concert venue…well, the list is endless. But, do you know where they hate saying and h...

Make your pizzeria a return destination for families Parents of young children often go out to eat with fingers crossed. So when they find a place that offers delicious, affordable food and keeps their little ones happy, there’s a good chance they�...