My favorite real life frozen pizza story is that the Mix’s own Mark Ward has always doctored up his frozens. When asked his secret he said: “ I add lots of fresh garlic, fresh jalapeño slices, halved cherry tomatoes fresh basil, black olives, chopped spinach. I really load up a basic frozen pizza (store brands are my favorite LOL) with lots of fresh toppings. I also like cooking quite a bit longer than recommended to get it nice and well done.”
It was a fun taste test- but I’m shocked at how much better the Midwest pizza brands were to the regulars at our supermarket here in NYC. I think DiFaras is my fav East Coast brand.
Growing up in Cleveland it was a Stouffer's French Bread Pizza after gymnastics/soccer/play rehearsal. I can still feel the inevitable burn you'd get with your first bite. You could buy them in bulk at the Stouffer's outlet store, along with a really good daiquiri flavored ice. I still keep frozen pizzas in the freezer for the kids...bought from the dollar store in bulk of course.
Torino’s had two restaurants. First one was in Northeast Minneapolis it was in the same location for 57 years closed in 2008. Moved the restaurant to a Minneapolis suburb and closed that one in 2011. Always took one of my customers to the Minneapolis location. Great pizza and Italian food. Saw VP Walter Mondale in the restaurant a few times because it was not far from the law firm he work at. I miss the pizza.
Reading this article reminded me of the time I had come home from a long day at school with activities that kept me late. I was very hungry. My dad, who was not usually the one to handle weeknight dinners, made frozen pizza.
I grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and my mother always had Totino's pizza in the freezer. I had no idea it actually came from there. How great to learn its history after all this time!
It totally floored me when Robert told me about these people and where these Pizzas came from. Also, try to get him to sing the Tombstone jingle for you next time you see him. Lolz.
Great article. You mentioned it in the beginning: Lotzza Motzza. Which I tried for the first time last when I was in Wisco (a couple weeks ago). It's my new fav.
I haven't heard that Tombstone jingle in decades probably, and yet as I was reading the lyrics the tune popped right back into my head like I was a kid again in Southern Indiana watching ABC on a Tuesday night while my mom smoked her Kents.
I’ve always been a Tombstone guy—for at least the last 45 years. Back then we could get Torino’s for less than $1, and I’d load them up with more cheese and toppings, otherwise there just wasn’t much there.
These days I too like Screamin’ Sicilian, but still have the occasional Tombstone.
And we always thought Tombstone was best because it came from Wisconsin, where we thought there was some sort of state law requiring the use of real cheese.
I loved Emil’s. It was my second favorite- it was greasy like the pizzeria pizza of my youth. The kind you had to put a napkin on top of- still Pep’s was nuts and Screamin’ Sicilian was my third favorite.
My favorite real life frozen pizza story is that the Mix’s own Mark Ward has always doctored up his frozens. When asked his secret he said: “ I add lots of fresh garlic, fresh jalapeño slices, halved cherry tomatoes fresh basil, black olives, chopped spinach. I really load up a basic frozen pizza (store brands are my favorite LOL) with lots of fresh toppings. I also like cooking quite a bit longer than recommended to get it nice and well done.”
Amazing! 👏👏👏
I have never doctored up my frozen pizzas, but I know that many smart people--like Mark--do!
I know. I think we should try it.
It was a fun taste test- but I’m shocked at how much better the Midwest pizza brands were to the regulars at our supermarket here in NYC. I think DiFaras is my fav East Coast brand.
Midwestern brands are better because they want them to be better, because everyone eats frozen pizza.
Growing up in Cleveland it was a Stouffer's French Bread Pizza after gymnastics/soccer/play rehearsal. I can still feel the inevitable burn you'd get with your first bite. You could buy them in bulk at the Stouffer's outlet store, along with a really good daiquiri flavored ice. I still keep frozen pizzas in the freezer for the kids...bought from the dollar store in bulk of course.
I would be lying if I told you that we did not have a SFBP in our freezer right now.
Just waiting for the right moment.
I used to love Stouffer's French Bread Pizza as a kid.
Great story and history.
Torino’s had two restaurants. First one was in Northeast Minneapolis it was in the same location for 57 years closed in 2008. Moved the restaurant to a Minneapolis suburb and closed that one in 2011. Always took one of my customers to the Minneapolis location. Great pizza and Italian food. Saw VP Walter Mondale in the restaurant a few times because it was not far from the law firm he work at. I miss the pizza.
Thank you for the recollection and the fresh info!
Reading this article reminded me of the time I had come home from a long day at school with activities that kept me late. I was very hungry. My dad, who was not usually the one to handle weeknight dinners, made frozen pizza.
He cooked it upstate down.
Argh!!!!
Haha!
“Upside” but you know what autocorrect meant.
I grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and my mother always had Totino's pizza in the freezer. I had no idea it actually came from there. How great to learn its history after all this time!
I wonder if your parents ever went to the actual Totino's restaurant?
I wish I could ask them. My brother, who has the best memory in the family, doesn't remember them going there.
It totally floored me when Robert told me about these people and where these Pizzas came from. Also, try to get him to sing the Tombstone jingle for you next time you see him. Lolz.
Great article. You mentioned it in the beginning: Lotzza Motzza. Which I tried for the first time last when I was in Wisco (a couple weeks ago). It's my new fav.
I'll have to try it next time.
I want to try Heggies too.
I haven't heard that Tombstone jingle in decades probably, and yet as I was reading the lyrics the tune popped right back into my head like I was a kid again in Southern Indiana watching ABC on a Tuesday night while my mom smoked her Kents.
It's a catchy one!
Growing up in Wisconsin as well my favorites were Tombstone (by far), Jack’s, and Totino’s.
Those brands bring back plenty of memories of the pizza oven in the local bar.
Tombstone is hard to find in New York. As far as I know, only Target carries it. Which makes sense, since Target is a Minnesota company.
Tombstone a pretty easy to find here in Texas but since my wife prefers Red Baron over Tombstone, she wins on the occasion we have frozen pizza.
I’ve always been a Tombstone guy—for at least the last 45 years. Back then we could get Torino’s for less than $1, and I’d load them up with more cheese and toppings, otherwise there just wasn’t much there.
These days I too like Screamin’ Sicilian, but still have the occasional Tombstone.
I was very impressed by the Screamin' Sicilian.
Robert is a Tombstone guy too.
And we always thought Tombstone was best because it came from Wisconsin, where we thought there was some sort of state law requiring the use of real cheese.
A lot of the brands still boast about using Wisconsin cheese.
This is an amazing document.
Thanks, Martin. A labor of love.
While I've never tried it (or possibly even seen it!), I was really rooting for the mysterious Emil's to have a better showing.
I loved Emil’s. It was my second favorite- it was greasy like the pizzeria pizza of my youth. The kind you had to put a napkin on top of- still Pep’s was nuts and Screamin’ Sicilian was my third favorite.
So was I. Always rooting for the underdog.