Attempt #129 - The Bar

 The Venue 

Venue Outside

1100 1st St SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
(319) 200-3789

 

Venue Inside

The Bar is owned the by local restaurant group Fun Not Fancy (FNF), opened on April 1^st, 2025.  They specialize in burgers, as well as thin crust pizzas, wings, etc.  They have both bar, booth, and table seating.  The restaurant is pretty small, a narrow room occupied mostly by the bar.  Be warned, the seats fill up fast on a Saturday.  Arriving at 4:45 PM was a smart move.

Menu

 

 

The Pizza

The_Hip_Stir_Large_$25

Chicago Style: No

Crust Thickness: Thin

Menu:  https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122110018226824101&set=pcb.122110018430824101  Participants: 9 (6 children)

Pizza Ordered:  7 (2x Cliffs, one was dropped)

Sizes Offered/Ordered: 10” Small, 13” Medium, 16” Large / 16” Large

Pieces Cut: Normally Triangular, but in our case, they did squares

 

The_Bar_Large_$21

Cliff’s
Buffalo Sauce, Chicken, Bacon, Red Onion, Ranch Drizzle
10" - $15 14" - $23

 

the hip-stir
Pepperoni, Jalapeno, Banana Pepper, Red Sauce, Garlic, Pesto, Hot Honey
10" - $15 14" - $25

 

Sacred Cow
Pepperoni, Sausage, Ground Beef, Bacon, Chicken, Red Sauce
10" - $15 14" - $25

Sacred_Cow_Large_$25

 

The Bar
Ground Beef, Sauteed Onions, Pickles, Red Sauce, Pub Sauce Drizzle
10" - $14 14" - $21

 

Pepperoni Pizza 10" - $12 14" - $17

 

Pepperoni & Sausage Pizza 10" - $14 14" - $19

 

 

 

 

Verdict

Sauce:  Average sauce. Typical fare.

Cheese: The pizza was not overly cheesy, which is a turn-off for some. 

Crust: Nothing to write home about, this was clearly frozen crust.

Toppings: I enjoyed the toppings on the pizzas.  I think they were distrusted well, and had lots of flavor.  Probably the best part.

 

Final thoughts:  The creativity of the pizza flavors was defiantly the best part.  The bar pizza shocked me, as it was the winner.  Even I voted for it, which I almost didn’t even want to order it.  Thankfully, the group requested it, and it was amazing.  The pickle juice and beef made my night. 

The_Hip_Stir_Small

 

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.

Overall 7.00

Cheese 7.14

Topping 8.43

Sauce 6.86

Crust 6.14

Venue 5.29

Favorite: The Bar

Cliffs_Large_$23

Attempt #128 - The Inn

 

Venue Outside

The Venue 

175 Jacolyn Dr NW,
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
(319) 396-3434

 

The Inn was formally Miguel’s, which we reviewed back in 2011 (See Pizza Attempt #3!!!).  The place has had a fresh paint job, more TV’s, and a more comfortable atmosphere than back 14 years ago.  The pizza was still large and in charge, as before.

Menu

 

 

The Pizza

Chicago Style: No

Crust Thickness: Average

Menu:  https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=the%20inn%20restaurant%20and%20bar

Participants: 13 (6 children)

Pizza Ordered:  3

Pepperoni

Sizes Offered/Ordered: 10” Small, 13” Medium, 16” Large / 16” Large

Pieces Cut: Normally Triangular, but in our case, they did squares

 

Bacon Cheeseburger – $24.99

Taco – $16.25

Pepperoni – Pepperoni, $19.98

 

 

Verdict

Sauce:  Average sauce.

Bacon Cheeseburger

Cheese: The cheese was a little lighter than other places.  Nothing much to stand out.

Crust: Although a normal pizza, the crust was firm and bready.  I did enjoy it, very similarly to Miguel’s.

Toppings: The toppings were evenly spaced, not too heavy.

 

Final thoughts:  The pizza was a solid ‘good’ as one participant wrote.  Not amazing, but significantly better than more tavern pizzas.

 

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.

Overall 7.00

Cheese 7.50

Topping 8.50

Sauce 7.83

Crust 7.33

Venue 7.67

Taco

Favorite: Tie – Taco  and Bacon Cheeseburger

Attempt #127 - Checkers Tavern (Cedar Rapids, IA)

 

The Venue 

3120 6th St SW,
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 364-9927

Oven

 

Checkers is a popular tavern that caters to the Hawkeye Downs racing community on the south west side of Cedar Rapids.  It has been in the same location for over 30 years.  Loyal customers keeps this establishment going, they have Karaoke, Trivia, and other events to keep the fun rolling.  

Menu

They have plenty of table seating, as well as bar seating.  Hawkeye games usually have some sort of Beer special.  The brew is affordable, with only $3 for a PBR, $2 for a pop.  The pizza oven was hauled from Georgia, and is in frequent use. 

 

Jeff D'Cooks Coronary Concoction, 12 Inch, $17.71

 

The Pizza

Chicago Style: No

Crust Thickness: Average

Menu:  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158712425164663&set=p.10158712425164663

Participants: 9 (8 children)

Da Bomb, 12 Inch, $18.53

Pizza Ordered:  7

Sizes Offered/Ordered: 12’ Small Only

Pieces Cut: Normally Triangular, but in our case, they did squares

 

Jeff D’Cooks Coronary Concoction – Pepperoni, Sausage, Italian Sausage, Beef, Ham, and more cheese, $17.71

Premier – Pepperoni, Pepperoni, Pepperoni, and Cheese, Cheese, Cheese, $15.51

Chili Dog, 12 Inch, $16.25

Cheese – Cheese, $9.97

Bacon Cheeseburger – Beed, Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Pickle Slices, $15.51

Da Bomb – Pepperoni, Canadian Bacon, Italian Sausage, Beef, Ham, Green Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, Black Olives, Diced Jalapenos, $18.53

Chili Dog – Checkers Chili, ½ Lb Hot Dog, Cheddar Cheese, & Onions, $16.25

Bad Andy – Canadian Bacon, Half Pineapple, Other Half Sauerkraut, $15.76

 

Cheese, 12 Inch, $9.97

 

Verdict

Sauce: Made from scratch by the kitchen staff daily, the sauce is the thing they are most proud of, I’d say.

Cheese: The cheese was average, nothing amazing, but nothing short of expectations.

Crust: The crust was a typical tavern – thin style.  Not my personal favorite, but I get it.  If there was something to build upon, I’d love to see them do a thick crust.

Toppings: The spicy Italian sausage was perfect, not the mild hearted!  Overall, for a bar, I was very impressed by the ingredients.

Bad Andy, 12 Inch, $15.76

 

Final thoughts:  Da Bomb was the crowd favorite, delivering a tasty spicy ending to our 7 pizza attempt!  It is their best seller, behind the

 

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.

Overall 7.33

Cheese 7.33

Topping 8.33

Sauce 7.17

Bacon Cheeseburger, 12 Inch, $15.51

Crust 7.33

Venue 8.00

Favorite: Da Bomb!

Premier, 12 Inch, $15.51

Attempt #126 - Frank's Pizza [Silvis, IL]

Venue Outside

 The Venue 

711 1st Ave

Silvis, IL 61282
(309) 755-0625

 

Frank's Pizza opened in 1955 and has been serving up pizzas to many satisfied customers.  The restaurant serves Quad Cities style pizza (similar to that of Harris Pizza).  This type of pizza is served in long strips, with generous cheese, and toppings.  The crust should be crisp yet chewy.  The restaurant had a bar, several tables from the 50’s, and cinderblock walls.  Kid friendly, pay at the bar.

 

Venue Inside

The Pizza

Chicago Style: No

Crust Thickness: Average

Menu:  https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipMngCKACfYsAKaJA-mTMXd3PRnAEtlODmQKv3HK=s680-w680-h510-rw

Participants: 3 (1 children)

Pizza Ordered:  1

Sizes Offered/Ordered: 12’ Small, 16’ Large / Ordered the 16’ Pepperoni.

Pieces Cut: Strips

 

Large Pepperoni

 

 

Verdict

Sauce: The sauce had a strong tomato taste that was a bit overwhelming. For those who like tomato, it’s a dream come true.

Cheese: Lots of cheese made this pie greasy, but delicious.

Crust: The crust was amazing.  Light, yet tasty.  Crispy, yet chewy.  This one really grew on me.

Toppings: Lots of pepperoni under the cheese.  Very tasty! 

 

Final thoughts:  For those who like QC pizza, and need a place to dine in, go to Frank’s!  In the future, I’d love to see how this compares to Harris.   

More Slices

Slice

 

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.

Overall 8.33

Cheese 7.00

Topping 7.33

Sauce 6.67

Crust 9.00

Venue 8.00

Favorite: Pepperoni

Attempt #125 - Big Wheel Pizza [Coggon, IA]

 

The Venue 

Catering Service
Coggon, IA 52218
(319) 551-8718

 

Big Wheel Pizza is the only exclusive pizza catering service around the corridor.  Whatever party you are throwing they would be glad to serve.  Pizzas include unique massive sizes of 2-foot, 3-foot, and even 4-foot pies!  During the pandemic, their business soared with outdoor events were deemed permissible.  From servicing Ragbrai, to providing free pizza to those in nursing homes during the 2018 Derecho, they have grown year over year.  

 

The Pizza

Chicago Style: No

Crust Thickness: Average

Menu:  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=888495239950561&set=p.888495239950561  

Participants: 21 (9 children)

Pizza Ordered:  1

Sizes Offered/Ordered: 2’ (Feeds up to 20), 3’ (Feeds 30-40), 4’ (Feeds 50-60). Ordered the 2’.

Pieces Cut: Rectangular

 

 

 

Verdict

Sauce: The sauce was fairly light on all the pieces.  I would prefer more sauce on some areas.  The ranch dressing was great (hidden valley).

Cheese: The cheese was on thick and heavy which was great.  The downside was that once it got cold, it hardened and was a bit rubbery.

Crust: The crust had a homemade texture to it, which one can easily smell the bread yeast upon cooking it up.  It held up, and was cooked consistently well.  It did past the bend test despite it being 24”, which is quite a feat! 

Toppings: The toppings were placed consistently.  Nothing too outstanding with most of them…prepared well in advance. 

 

Final thoughts:  The crew was outstanding, and provided prompt, fresh pizza!  The Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza was the far winner, with its unique blend of flavors, and delicious ranch dressing.  The Pig out was overly salty due to all of the pork.    Overall, if you have a big party, I would recommend them for their value and prompt timing.  As one participant stated, “its good pizza, but not great pizza”.

 

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.

Overall 6.70

Cheese 6.00

Topping 7.30

Sauce 7.20

Crust 7.40

Venue N/A

Favorite: Chicken Bacon Ranch