Attempt #20 - Roscoe's Pizza

The Venue

212 Edgewood Rd NW

Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

(319) 654-8886

Roscoe’s was a Tomaso’s Pizza (a local pizzeria that has several stores in the Cedar Rapids area) at one time.  The restaurant is one large open room, where you can see the pizza being made, the ball game on TV, and the large hot ovens cooking up some goodness.  You are expected to get your own drinks, and the wait for pizza takes around 20-30 minutes, so it is best to call ahead.  The pizza selection is a bit vaster than Tomaso’s as they have currently have nine “specialty” pizzas (Mobo Combo, Meat Combo, Tex Mex Taco, Chicken Veggie Delight, Veggie Combo, Great Garden, Ham & Kraut, Hawaiian Ham & Pineapple, BLT).  They also offer four unique types of pizza crust that sets them apart from their former local chain (who only currently offer three).  Sadly, they are not open on Monday’s, so plan on it any other day of the week.  Plan in on stopping by if you are in the area of Edgewood Road in Cedar Rapids.  Check out there their pizza menu here.

Large, Mombo Combo, Motown Crust ($24.99)

Large, Tex Mex Taco, Brookville Crust ($24.99)

Slice of the Mombo Combo (Motown Crust)

Slice of the Meat Combo (Chicago Crust)

The Pizza

Chicago Style:  Yes

Crust Thickness:  Thick

Our group consisted of 9 participants; so we ordered three large specialty pizzas, and an order of pizza bread.  Each of these large pizzas cost us roughly $25 a piece.  They come in small (9”), medium (12”), and large (15”).  The Crust comes in Motown (Thick and bready, cheese all the way to the edge of pan so it caramelizes), Chicago (Thick and bready with a big lip to hold everything in), New York Thin (Thin but not razor thin, you can ask for EXTRA thin), or Brookville (Best of both worlds, New York Thin but in a pan with caramelized crust). 

Mombo Combo – Pepperoni, fresh mushrooms, hand-sliced onions & green peppers, California black olives & Italian sausage (Large, Motown crust, $24.99).
Meat Combo - Pepperoni, ham, sausage, beef (Large, Chicago crust, $24.99).

Tex Mex Taco – Fresh ground beef, hand-sliced onions, pinto beans, taco seasoning, crisp lettuce, diced tomato, nacho chips, served with taco sauce on the side (Large, Brookville crust, $24.99).

The Verdict

Large, Meat Combo, Chicago Crust ($24.99)

The pizza was cut into hearty triangle-shaped slices.  The ingredients were excellent individually.  Some felt that the amount of toppings could have been more, especially on the meat combo.  I felt that the cheese and toppings were well-balanced, pared with a mild sauce.  The sauce was not as sweet as a lot of other places, which made it taste a bit more authentic.  The Meat Combo was the least favorite of the pies, because the toppings were a bit sparse, and the flavor wasn’t quite tied together very well.  The Chicago crust was very bready, with a lot of people liked.  It was as if you had ordered breadsticks with your pizza!  The Mambo Combo was the favorite among most of us, with a few voting for the Taco.  I would recommend this pizza place as an alternative to Tomaso’s in the Cedar Rapids area.  Some felt that it was even better, since they have the genius Brookville crust that combines the Motown (Detroit at Tomaso’s) with the Thin crust.  The thin isn’t really that thin, by the way…it is almost regular.  Since I am a big bready crust, with a mild/spicy sauce guy (I don’t like a lot of sugar in my sauce), this place is one of my favorite places in the area.  If you are like me, you must give this place a try!

Pizza Bread Appetizer

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 8.28
Cheese = 7.33
Toppings = 7.56
Sauce = 8.11
Crust = 9.56

Venue = 7.22

Attempt #19 - Happy Joe's

The Venue

5070 Lindale Drive Northeast

Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

(319) 393-0017

Four of the Five Participants (plus one extra) Undertaking 3 Large Pizza's

Happy Joe’s is a regional chain that is found of the Midwest, especially Iowa.  With locations in six states, you may have one of these establishments near you.  For kids, they are fun, with ski-ball, racing, and other games where you can win tickets (prizes).  The pizza side of the restaurant was also quite classy, as to attract those of us without small children.  It was very clean, and the staff was friendly.  Coupons can often be found in the Sunday newspaper and in other advertisements around the local community.  On Monday, we found out that the price of the Larges were $13.99, where was such a great deal.  We are plenty to take home!

Take a look at their pizza menu here, http://www.happyjoes.com/menu.php.

The Pizza

Large (15"), Pan Crust, Combo Pizza

Chicago Style:  No

Crust Thickness:  Thin/Average

Large (15"), Pan Crust, Taco Supreme Pizza

Our group consisted of 5 participants; so we ordered three large specialty pizzas.  Each of these large pizzas cost us $14 a piece.  They come in small (9”), medium (12”), and large (15”).  The Crust comes in Pan or Thin. 

BLT - Both hickory-smoked and Canadian bacon with mozzarella, provolone and cheddar cheeses. Baked, then topped with mayo, lettuce and tomatoes (Large, Thin crust, $13.99).
Combo - Pepperoni, sausage, salami, beef, mushrooms, green peppers and onions (Large, Pan crust, $13.99).

Taco Supreme - Our famous Taco Joe pizza is loaded with refried beans, taco-seasoned beef, and sausage, topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, onions,  and taco chips. Served with taco sauce (Large, Pan crust, $13.99).

The Verdict

Large (15"), Thin Crust, BLT Pizza

The pizza was cut into narrow slices.  The ingredients were excellent, and the cheese and toppings were well balanced while the sauce was spare.  Some felt that the pizza was the best that they have had in a long time; however, the pizza could have been served warmer.  The Combo was the least favorite of the pies, with one participant wondering if it was slightly undercooked.  The Taco and the BLT were VERY well liked along all the participants.  The thin seemed to be the general consensus as the crust of choice.  I felt that the Pan was similar to the thin, except that it has a large lip at the edge of the pizza.  Because of the special, we got a great deal at Happy Joe’s.  I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good “taco” pizza; however, if you are in the mood for a more traditional style of pizza (pepperoni, sausage, marinara sauce), you might want to try some of the other pizza places in town first.  But if you are in the mood for a BLT, Taco, or another non-traditional pizza, and want a fun place for the kids, head on over the Happy Joe’s.

All Three Pizza's - Sliced Up!

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 8.30
Cheese = 7.00
Toppings = 9.20
Sauce = 6.00
Crust = 8.20

Venue = 6.40

Attempt #18 - Chrome Horse

The Venue

1202 3rd Street Southeast

Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

(319) 365-1234

Inside the bar

This business was started by four local businessmen that shared a vision to create a motorcycle themed bar that everyone can enjoy in Cedar Rapids.  Known for their lively bands, and extensive grub, you’ll find more than the typical fried bar food at this joint.  The wall is decorated with antique motorcycles, and the bar itself is an ice bar, designed by Jimmy Stumpff.   The deal every week night is $10 for a two-topping medium 12” pizza.  Specialty pizzas are listed at full price.   Take a look at their pizza menu here, http://www.chromehorsesaloon.net/menu/NewPizza.html.

The Pizza

Chicago Style:  No

Crust Thickness:  Thin

Large 16" Route 66 Pizza

Large 16" BLT Pizza

Our group consisted of 7 participants; so we ordered two large specialty pizzas, and one two-topping medium pizza.  Each of these large pizzas cost roughly $19 a piece.  They come in small (8”), medium (12”), and large (16”). 

BLT Pizza – Combination of bacon, lettuce, tomato and shredded mozzarella cheese, topped with mayo (Large, $18.25).

Route 66 Pizza - Sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, crushed red pepper, jalapenos, onions, shredded Parmesan and cheddar hack cheeses (Large, $18.25).

Pepperoni and Black Olives Pizza - (Medium, $10.00).

The Verdict

The pizza was squared, with a restaurant feel.  The ingredients were excellent, and the cheese and sauce was well balanced.  The crust was incredibly thin…neither a firm cracker crust, but a bit more pliable.  That was our most disappointing feature.    The BLT was a unique favorite, and our group was tied between it and the Route 66 as the favorite pizza.  If you like spice, I highly recommend the Route 66, with its red pepper, jalapenos, and sausage – you can’t go wrong!  The BLT has a nice mild flavor with real mayo drizzled on top.  I liked how underneath the lettuce was a normal pizza with bacon baked into the cheese.  So if you are in the mood for a cool themed bar with some decent food head on over to the Chrome Horse.

Closeup of a Route 66 Slice

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 7.14
Cheese = 6.57
Toppings = 7.43
Sauce = 7.43
Crust = 5.71

Venue = 7.71

Medium 12" Pizza

Attempt #17 - Vito's on 42nd

The Venue

4100 River Ridge Dr NE

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

(319) 393-8727

A slice of the Grilled Chicken Pizza

This well established restaurant across from the Twin Pines golf course is well known for their Monday and Wednesday night half price pizza specials.  Every pie on the menu is half off.  In addition to pizza, they serve a number of pasta dishes along with fajitas and sandwiches.  If you are interested in knowing more, take a look at their dinner menu at:  http://www.vitoson42nd.com/menu.html.

The Neapolitan Pizza

The restaurant itself looks like a cool place to hang out.  It has a bar, with an upstairs loft with a few tables, a downstairs area underneath the loft, and the majority of the restaurant is on the main level.  Plenty of outdoor seating is available on the cement patio and on the deck, looking across the street to the golf course.  The restaurant has a “sports bar” feel to it with a touch of business class.  An interesting find indeed!

The Pizza

Chicago Style:  No

Crust Thickness:  Average

Our group consisted of 11 participants; so we ordered five large pizzas.  Each of these pizzas cost roughly $23 a piece, and around $12 on Mondays/Wednesdays because of the half price special.  They came in two sizes, but we only ordered the larger of the two.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza - Spicy chicken, Vito's cheese blend, sliced celery, tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, and caramelized onions with a spicy buffalo blue cheese sauce ($22.99).

Super Special Pizza - Italian sausage, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, black olives and green peppers ($23.99).

Neapolitan Pizza - Imported goat's cheese, marinated tomatoes, fresh spinach, olive oil, basil and fresh garlic ($22.99).

Grilled Chicken - Marinated chicken, mushrooms, red onions, red bell peppers and a blend of smoked Gouda and mozzarella cheese ($22.99).

Taco Pizza - Seasoned ground beef with Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese topped with lettuce, tomato, red onions, black olives and tortilla chips, served with salsa ($22.99).

The Verdict 

The pizza was cut into traditional slices with evenly distributed toppings.  I think the toppings were a bit sparse.  The crust was good.  It had a chewy component to it, yet it remained average thickness.  On the supreme (super special, as they call it), the toppings did not affect crust…it was not soggy.  The sauce non-existent on the grilled chicken pizza, and the amount of olive oil / cheese was noticeably lacking.  That was the least favorite.  The supreme and the taco were the two pizza’s that rated the best from our group.  If you like hand tossed pizza, after a game of golf, then this place should be on your list of places to try. 

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 6.85
Cheese = 6.30
Toppings = 7.30
Sauce = 3.19
Crust = 7.30

Venue = 7.90

Super Special Pizza

Taco Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Grilled Chicken Pizza

Attempt #16 - Cibo Fusion

Menu

The Venue

685 Marion Boulevard

Marion, IA 52302

(319) 447-1414

This locally owned fashionably contemporary restaurant is well known for their Monday night half price pizza specials.  Every pie on the menu is half off.  In addition to pizza, they serve a number of pasta dishes along with meat based entrées.  They are known to have a twist that sets them apart from the norm, hence the “fusion” in their name.  If you are interested in knowing more, take a look at their dinner menu at:  http://www.cibofusion.com/dinner.php. 

The restaurant itself looks a bit like an old Dennys on outside, but inside it is bursting with cool metal sculptures, a large pane of glass with water running on both sides of it, giving it a cool effect, and a large aquarium of exotic fish.  It is definitely worth the visit just to see the inside of the place…pretty cool and unexpected, considering it is next to a strip mall.

The Pizza

Chicago Style:  No

Crust Thickness:  Thin

Our group consisted of 8 participants; so we ordered seven pizzas.  Each of these pizzas cost roughly $11 a piece, and around $5.50 on Mondays because every Monday is half price.  They came in only one size and crust, and was roughly the size of a large dinner plate.

California Garden - Tomato sauce with spinach, roma tomatoes, green and yellow pepper, mozzarella and smoked gouda cheese.

Italian - Tomato sauce with sweet sausage, capicola, salami, prosciutto, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Pomodoro - Olive oil with marinated tomatoes, fresh basil, prosciutto, mozzarella and goat cheese.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken - Spicy jerk sauce with grilled chicken, roasted red pepper, onion, roasted corn, cilantro, fresh mango, and mozzarella.

Thai Chicken - Garlic ginger sauce with grilled chicken, bean sprouts, carrot, green onions, sesame seeds, cilantro, and mozzarella.

Santa Fe Chicken - Guacamole with grilled chicken, tomato, onions,yellow peppers, cilantro, mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

Carne Asada - Olive oil with carne asada beef, black beans, roasted red pepper, jalapeno, roma tomatoes, onions, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Topped with cilantro, guacamole, and sour cream.

The Verdict

Slice of the Italian

The pizza was cut into traditional slices with somewhat evenly distributed toppings.  The crust was very thin, yet it maintained its crispiness regardless of the amount of toppings…well done Cibo’s!  We could not say the same about most places we have tried thus far.  My guess is that they have a brick oven in the kitchen in which they used to bake the pizzas, giving that crisp sensation to the crust.  The sauce was a bit lacking for my tastes, however it was flavorful.   My favorites were the Pomodoro then the Thai Chicken.  Others preferred the Jamaican Jerk Chicken as well.  Given the cost (~$6 on Mondays), it is a terrific deal.  If you like thin, hand tossed pizza, this place should be on your list of ones to try. 

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 7.25
Cheese = 7.00
Toppings = 8.13
Sauce = 6.75
Crust = 6.69

Venue = 8.75

Thai Chicken

Italian

Carne Asada

California Garden

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Santa Fe Chicken

Pomodoro