Aaron Landry

Parkway Pizza Pepperoni Pizza, originally uploaded by Aaron Landry.

The other day a guy called me after Googling thinking that I was Parkway Pizza. I gave him two suggestions for better pizza in the area. Feeling a bit bad about this situation, I figured I should give them another shot.

I’ve had a bunch of mixed experiences with these guys. They’ve been decent, they’ve been bad, they’ve had some weird service, and I was at Ed’s house a month or two ago and they ended up delivering the wrong pizza there. I’ve even had weird comments from them and about them on my site, many under pseudonyms.

I called them to order deliver and the line was busy. I guess that’s a good thing for them, right? Five minutes later I get through. He verified that I was “Aaron” but didn’t have any more information about me in his computer. I gave him my last name and my address. We got disconnected for some reason and I called back. I verify the rest of my information and then he asks me to hold. Then someone else picks up and asks for my phone number, then verifies my information with me again.

I order a 14″ Pepperoni, figuring I’ll have half of it now and reheat the rest the next day. I put it on my credit card and I’m asked if I’d like to put a tip on the credit card. I’ve never pre-tipped pizza delivery before. I said, “sure, put three bucks on it” figuring if it’s worth more than a 22% tip I’ll give the driver a couple more bills. I’m told I’ll get it in 30 to 45 minutes.

24 minutes later I get a phone call from Parkway Pizza asking to verify my order of a 14″ Pepperoni and another large pizza with mushrooms, sausage… “woah, woah, woah!” I interrupt and explain that I only ordered the one pizza, “and you put it on my card for like 13 bucks, right?” “Yes, of course,” they said.

38 minutes after I finished my original order I got another call asking if I got my pizzas fine and everything is in order. I didn’t get any pizza “and I only ordered one” I explained. I was told that he’s just trying to get down to the bottom of the mixup.

43 minutes after I ordered the pizza arrived. I asked to verify it before the driver left and he understood. It looked like it took the long trip around Minneapolis even though I’m 13 blocks away. The pizza was warm, not hot.

The pizza itself wasn’t all that photogenic. The pieces on the edges didn’t have cheese on half of them and it slides right off when you try to eat it leaving just huge piles of sauce. The crust is thicker than most thin crust pizza and it’s soft, foamy and flavorless. I don’t really like this pizza at all. That’s all I’m going to say about it.

I love supporting local, independent pizza places but Parkway Pizza needs to shake things up. I’ll give them another shot in about six months.

Parkway Pizza
4457 42nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-729-9090

Golooney’s East Coast Pizza Cafe & Sub Shop, originally uploaded by Aaron Landry.

After enjoying some cupcakes, Courtney, Max, Alexis, Rachel and I went to Golooney’s East Coast Pizza Cafe & Sub Shop.

Golooney’s has been around for as long as I can remember and at one point I thought they were rather representative of New York pizza. This was before I had ever visited New York. I’ve only visited twice since and haven’t been a fan.

I was surprised that Courtney suggested we go here especially as we were with Rachel who is actually from New York. To give Courtney credit, she hadn’t been in over four years. Either way, it’s probably the worst idea for an out-of-town guest from the east coast.

Put simply, our service was slow (especially for a slice shop), the people were rude and worst of all was the pizza. I ordered a plain slice. It hardly had any sauce and the cheese was almost tasteless cheese although it was piled on excessively. It wasn’t easy to fold or hold like I would expect out of a slice shop with the Twin Towers in their logo. In fact, this pizza was the worst I’ve ever had at Golooney’s. Courtney and I agreed that it was actually poorer than we remembered.

I was taking a few shots and I was scolded for taking photos and was asked to put my camera away. He said I needed to ask for permission first and to be fair, I should have done that. I promptly put my camera away. Unfortunately to make matters worse, he goes to his co-worker after scowling at me and exclaims “I hate that fucking shit.” Classy. We joked our table that the generally male-dominated staff are stereotypically rude to male clientele but “all hey baby” to women. In our experiences, at least.

Humorously while we were waiting the 10th Global Marijuana March was across the street. The gathering wasn’t terribly well organized as many of the protesters wandered in and out of Golooney’s getting a slice. My advice? Keep on marching down 24th Street and eat at Leaning Tower of Pizza.

Golooney’s East Coast Pizza Cafe & Sub Shop
2329 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55405
612-377-8555