Attempt #27 - The Pizza Place

The Venue

126 Franklin St

Venue

Center Point, IA 52213

(319) 849-2559

The Pizza Place has existing in Center Point, Iowa for several years.  A manger suggested trying this establishment because of its fame for serving cracker crust thin pizzas.  It is located right on the main street in Center Point off of I-380.  The restaurant also serves Mexican Food over lunch hour, as well as pizzas.  They had around 8 specialty pizza's to order from, nothing too out of the ordinary...a taco, BLT, Meat Lovers, BBQ Chicken...  The restaurant itself had plenty of seating, with cafe style stools around the front counter, and a bar area in the back with additional seating.  Overall, it seemed like the perfect place to have a long lunch or a casual dinner. 

The Pizza

Chicago Style:  Yes

Crust Thickness:  Thin

Our group consisted of 5 participants; so we ordered two large specialty pizzas.  The Pizza Place has only one standard cracker thin crust with a maximum size of 14”.  Each pizza cost us around $15, with the Combo being the most expensive at nearly $17.  They come in large, circular hand-formed crusts.

Combo - Sausage, Ham, Pepperoni, Mushroom, Green Pepper, Onion, Black Olives (Large [14”], $16.75).

Taco - Ground Beef, Onion, Black Olive, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tortilla Chips, Tomato;  Sour Cream, Salsa, Jalapeños on the side (Large [14”], $15.00?)

The Verdict

Large (14"), Taco ($15.00)

Large (14"), Combo ($16.50)

The slices were cut into rectangular shapes.  Taco was voted to be the favorite among our participants.  With the jalapeños and salsa on the side, the Taco was appeasing to those with a mild palette; yet those who preferred the spicy could also benefit.  Sour cream and salsa had to be asked for.  The service was good, with the waitress checking on us multiple times for drink refills.  Overall, the cracker crust was disappointing, since it was a little soggy in the middle, and it was a bit tastless.  The sauce was spread thin as well.  The prices were a little cheaper than what you would pay in Cedar Rapids though.  So, if you are in a hurry, and want a cracker thin crust pizza, check them out.

Combo/Taco Slices

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 7.30
Cheese = 8.20
Toppings = 8.20
Sauce = 6.00
Crust = 5.60

Venue = 7.60

Large (14"), Combo ($16.50) 2

Attempt #26 - Cappy's Pizzeria

The Venue

7037 C Avenue NE

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

(319) 826-2625

Cappy’s Pizzeria is a new family owned pizzeria that was inspired by the owner’s friends who own their own separate pizza restaurant down in Tampa, Florida.    The recipes were provided, the dough and sauce is homemade, and you’ll be wanting to come back for more in the hipster pizzeria.  In a way, it reminds of a undiscovered Zoey’s (similar limited seating), and Chicago style pies.  However, the restaurant has a much more family feel that sets it apart from Zoey’s.  On their menu, they exclusively focus in on Pizza, offering two gourmet options-the Cappy (Sausage, Ham, Pepperoni, Mushroom, Green Pepper, Onion) and the Veggie (Green Pepper, Onion, Black Olive, Mushroom, Tomato).  The waitress served our dinner plates were us from a hutch that was located right in the main dining area, so that laid some home-away-from-home charm.  You can take a look at their menu at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cappys-Pizzeria.

The Pizza

Chicago Style Slices

Chicago Style:  Yes

Crust Thickness:  Average

Our group consisted of 4 participants; so we ordered four large specialty pizzas.  Cappy’s has two types of crusts, New York and Chicago Style (deep dish).  The deep dish’s maximum size was 14”, whereas the normal crust maximum size was 16”.  Each pizza cost us around $23.  They come in large, circular hand-formed crusts.

Cappy - Sausage, Ham, Pepperoni, Mushroom, Green Pepper, Onion (Large, Chicago Style Deep Dish Crust [14”], $23).

Veggie – Green Pepper, Onion, Black Olive, Mushroom, Tomato (Large New York Thin Crust [16”], $22.50)

Bacon, Spinach, Tomato (Large New York Thin Crust [16”], $19.75)

Feta, Chicken, Artichoke (Large Chicago Style Deep Dish [15”], $21.75)

Large (14"), Chicago Style Deep Dish Cappy ($23.00)

Large (14"), Chicago Style Deep Dish, Feta, Chicken, Artichoke ($21.75)

Large (16"), New York Style Veggie ($22.50)

Large (16), New York Style Bacon, Spinach, Tomato ($21.75)

New York Verses Chicago Style Slices

The Verdict

Nearly everyone in our group seemed to think that the Chicago Style beat the New York style hands down.  Both styles of pizzas’ slices were cut into classic triangular shapes.  If you take a look at the slice comparison picture, you’ll notice that the Chicago is a bit thicker, and that the New York is heavy on the cheese and light on the sauce (thus making it a bit soggy).  I did enjoy the edges of both styles of crust, since those were very much like fresh breadsticks.  The Cappy was tied along with the Feta, Chicken, Artichoke as our most popular pizza. Some felt that the Feta could have used more sauce (which is a great tasting marinara sauce).  The New York pizza’s toppings tended to lack flavor, we would have like more toppings and sauce on both pizza’s (bacon anyone?).  The overall prices were a little steep, but that’s what you would expect with competition right down the road (Tomaso’s, Zoey’s, Cranky Hanks, Pizza Ranch, and Pizza Hut).  I would have to agree that the Cappy was the shining star.  Even my wife, who swears by Tomaso’s, even acknowledged that she liked the Cappy better than Tomaso’s classic Detroit style Pepperoni after the attempt.  The Feta, Chicken, Artichoke was nearly as good.  It could have used a bit more sauce, but the rich distinct taste of the Feta and Mozzarella was delicious when paired with the bready crust and tasty sauce.  With either pizza, you can’t go wrong.  So anyways, if you haven’t gotten up to the North East side of Cedar Rapids to check out Cappy’s yet, you’re missing some delicious Chicago Style goodness.    

Closeup of New York Thin Slice

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 7.88
Cheese = 7.50
Toppings = 7.25
Sauce = 8.75
Crust = 8.75

Venue = 8.38

Closeup of New York Thin Slice

Attempt #25 - Cranky Hank's

The Venue

4444 1st Ave NE #454

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

(319) 365-4265

The Venue (Outside)

Cranky Hank’s has been in Lindale Mall for nearly five years, sitting in the ground level by the parking ramp.  At one time, it was a Happy Joe’s restaurant in that location, and luckily it is still a pizza place today.  Inside, it reminds you of a typical Happy Joe's restaurant, with arcade games off to the side, a bar area for beer and mixed drinks, a salad bar area in the center of the sitting area, and a sectioned off part that looks like it used to be its own room at one time (perhaps?).  The music playing at the restaurant is a plus, as two participants in our group commented positively because we were fortunate in hearing some inspiring lively, upbeat hits.  As far as specials go, Tuesdays specials are buy a large, get a small pizza half price.  Sadly we “forgot” about this special when we ordered so we did not partake.  You can take a peek at their menu at: http://www.crankyhanks.com/Pages/Menu.aspx. 

The Venue (Inside Bar Area)

 

Large (16"), Hank Bread ($9.75)

The Pizza


Chicago Style:  Yes

Crust Thickness:  Average (all but Deep Dish’s Rim, that was Thick)

Large (12"), Deep Dish, The Hot Head ($20.95)

Large (12"), Deep Dish, The Bellyacher ($20.95)

Large (16"), Taco ($21.95)

Our group consisted of 7 participants; so we ordered four large specialty pizzas, and one order of Hank Bread.  Cranky Hanks has two types of crusts, normal and deep dish.  The deep dish’s maximum size was 12”, whereas the normal crust maximum size was 16”.  Each pizza cost us around $21.  They come in large, circular hand-formed crusts.

Taco – Seasoned meat, chips, lettuce, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese.  We had asked to have it served with Taco sauce (you may have to ask for this). (Large Normal Crust [16”], $21.95)

Meatlovers – Canadian bacon, sausage, pepperoni, bacon, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese. (Large Normal Crust [16”], $21.95)

The Hot Head – Sausage, jalapeños, onions, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. (Large Deep Dish [12”], $20.95)

The Bellyacher – Sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. (Large Deep Dish [12”], $20.95)

Hank Bread – Crust, mozzarella cheese, severed with marinara sauce on the side to dip the pizza strips into. (Large Normal Crust [16”], $9.75)

The Verdict

The taco, hot head, and bellyacher pizzas were cut into triangular slices, with the meatlovers being cut into very large rectangular slices.  The crust was comments by many to be very thick, bready, and delicious on our normal pizzas.  Both deep dishes were very disappointing because given the weight of the toppings, the crust appeared thinner (than the normal pizza’s crust), and much greasier than the normal pizzas from the cheese…only the rims contained thick, bready goodness. Additionally, the Meatlovers, Hot Head, and Bellacher appeared to have a large amount of seasoned ground beef between the sauce and the cheese.  This reminded some of Leonardo’s.  If you enjoy a lot of meat on your pizza, you should be in bliss because of this fact (the Bellyacher contained the most).  I did not notice any spiciness on the Hot Head since the cheese takes away the excess heat.  The sauce was sweet and sparse, and the cheese was plentiful.  Additionally we ordered the Hank Bread, with was a 16” Cheese Pizza with the sauce on the side (commonly called Cheese Fries in Wisconsin).  That was an excellent appetizer, some would even consider it to be a cost-effective replacement for a pizza (since it only costs $9.75).  The Taco was the best pizza was ate, a balanced set of toppings, with a thick crust that could hold the heap load of toppings, cheese, and taco sauce (which were served to us as packets from Heinz).  Based off our experience, I would order the Taco and the Hank Bread again. 

Large (16"), Meatlovers ($21.95)

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 8.14
Cheese = 8.29
Toppings = 7.71
Sauce = 6.71
Crust = 6.86

Venue = 9.00

Slice of The Bellyacher

Slice of Taco, Meatlovers

Attempt #24 - Sweet Basil's Pizza Pie

The Venue Outside

The Venue

3874 Mount Vernon Road

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403

(319) 366-2000

The newly relocated Sweet Basil’s is open Tuesday – Sunday, from 4 PM onward.  Each day that they are open, Sweet Basil’s runs a special.  The most popular is Sunday, which are "Buy one large specialty pizza, get a small cheese pizza for free". I asked the employee if they are cumulative, and she said they are; she claimed it was a very popular deal.  This establishment is carry-out only, since the restaurant is one small room.  The photos were taken once I got home with the pies.  Take a look at their menu at: http://www.sbpizzapie.com/menu.php.

The Pizza

Chicago Style:  No

Crust Thickness:  Pan

Our group consisted of 6 participants; so we ordered three large specialty pizzas.  Each of these 16” large pizzas cost us around $20.  They come in large (16”), circular hand-tossed crusts.  Because it was Sunday, we received three small (9”) cheese pizza’s free.

 

Large (16"), The House Supreme ($20.99)

Large (16"), Chicken, Artichoke, and Marinated Tomato ($18.25)

Large (16"), Sweet Basil ($20.99)

Sweet Basil – Olive Oil, fresh garlic, fresh sweet basil, fresh Roma tomatoes, topped off with out 5-cheese blend – glitch and fresh. (Large [16”], $20.99)

Chicken, Artichoke, and Marinated Tomato - Chicken, artichoke hearts, seasoned and marinated Tomato topped with our 5-cheese blend. (Large [16”], $20.99)

The House Supreme – Sausage, mushrooms (we substituted these with Kalamata olives), pepperoni, Canadian bacon, black olives, onions, green peppers,, our own pizza sauce, and a 5-cheese blend.  (Large [16”], $20.99)

The Verdict

The pizza was cut into rectangular slices, nothing too thick of a crust.  The pizza was surprisingly well preserved during the 20 minute car ride to Marion; not soggy or very greasy.   The sauce was light, with the crust being on the thinner side; yet it was still a little chewy.  The toppings were average.  Many people commented that the cheese pizza was a favorite, since the sauce was different then the specialty pizza’s sauce, and its (singular) Mozilla cheese had the right amount of saltiness to it.  There was tie between the House Supreme and the Cheese as the favorite.  If you live around the area, give Sweet Basil’s a try, since the Sunday deal is quite the steal for the price!

Small (9"), Cheese (Free on Sundays)

Here are our ratings, where 1 = worst and 10 = best.
Overall = 7.42
Cheese = 8.50
Toppings = 8.17
Sauce = 7.00
Crust = 7.00

Venue = n/a