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