Snow Pizza and Learning About the Quality Pizza
Plus there's some up and coming pizza makers popping up around town.
Hi there!
Wow, it’s 2024 and I think I’ve only had pizza once this year? No, that simply cannot be sure. I’ll have to consult my Hobonichi Techo where I chronicle my life and also any interesting foods I’ve eaten.
My daughter has renewed her interest in pizza. As a four year old she’s developing favorites and preferences. Does she really know the difference between the pizza shops we go to? Does she know when she’s choking down Caputo Brothers Cheese at Driftwood Oven versus the Grande Mozzarella at Caliente?
Last night Charlie and I were grabbing People’s India for dinner. She asked me where it was and since our life is pizza oriented we use pizza shops as location markers. I told her that People’s India was close to Spak Brothers. And she asked:
Why is Spak Brothers’s pizza so good?
Great question, Charlie. At a basic level it’s because they care. From their website:
We Are What We Eat
Spak Brothers is committed to offering food that is local, sustainable, and healthy whenever possible. Our vegan cheese contains no casien. We use only unbleached, umbromated flour, and there are no refined sugars in our sauce or dough.
Charlie may only be four, but reinforcing the idea of quality is important. Understanding that there is thoughtfulness and care that goes into making something as simple as pizza. And that can make all the difference.
Pizza Snow Emergency
In 2010 Christa and I moved out of our respective parent’s house and into an apartment in Squirrel Hill. It was a big step for us. Instead of binge watching Lost in my dad’s attic we could do so on the floor of our apartment.
The apartment was located on Phillips Ave a quarter of a mile from Mineo’s on Murray Ave. Whenever it snowed we would declare a “snow emergency” get our snow boots on and walk down to Mineo’s for a large pizza and a six pack of Bell’s Two Hearted. Mineo’s just started selling beer and they took my pro-tip of stocking up on Four Loko before it was banned.
We looked forward to any amount of snow so we’d have an excuse to stay inside, drink a six pack of beer, watch Lost and eat pizza all night long.
New Pizza Adventurer Sets Sail
I was prowling around Instagram when Pizza Boat Pete’s account was recommended to me. The pizzas looks divine. Like a god made them for a royal dinner. Each one perfectly manicured, not a single waste of space. Blisters decorate the crust giving each pizza character, letting you know that there’s a deeper story behind the dough.
After what seems like a little hiatus, they’ll be popping up at the Government Record Center on the North Side this Sunday. I’ve been exchanging messages with the owner, Dan, and hope to have more of their story next time. I didn’t want you to miss what looks like a stellar pizza.
Alright! Well sorry this is a bit short. Been in a rut, but I’m climbing my way out!
Pizza ya later!
-Dan Tallarico, Pizza Journalist