Ian's Pizza: Difference between revisions

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==History==
==History==
===The first decade===
Ian Gurfield founded Ian's Pizza By the Slice in 2001 on Frances Street, leaving space for a wood-fired oven that never came<ref name="ct-2012-12-27-p9">Christians, L. (2012, December 27). "A sister to Ian's, S2 Pizzabar gets wood-fired up." ''The Capital Times''. p. 9. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/520751949/ 520751949].</ref>. The State Street store opened in 2005 at 115 State St.<ref name="mc-2012-01-22-ians-moving">Kalk Derby, S. (2012, January 22). [https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_71d6e070-4372-11e1-a830-001871e3ce6c.html "Restaurant news: Ian's Pizza to move across State Street."] ''madison.com''.</ref>, and by 2011 there were also stores in Milwaukee and Chicago<ref name="ct-2011-03-03-p6">Novak, B. (2011, March 3). "Power (and pizza) to the people!" ''The Capital Times''. p. 6. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522560162/ 522560162].</ref>. In the Capital Times' "Top 5" lists of 2010 to 2013 the Mac n' Cheese slice came first every time<ref name="ct-2010-03-04-p5">(2010, March 4). "Top 5 slices at Ian's Pizza, State Street": Mac n' Cheese first. ''The Capital Times''. p. 5. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522532381/ 522532381].</ref>.
When the protests against the budget-repair bill began in February 2011, the State Street store gave away 60 slices on February 15. Donors then began paying for pizzas for the protesters, and within a week the store had handed out over 3,000 20-inch pizzas, with orders from all 50 states and more than 50 countries, "including a research station in Antarctica"; staff came from the other stores to help<ref name="ct-2011-03-03-p6" />. By April the total was close to 56,000 slices; the store sold "This is what democracy tastes like" T-shirts for charity<ref name="mc-2011-04-23-ians-protests-over">Rose, D. (2011, April 23). [https://madison.com/news/local/ask/catching-up/article_6b2e6e82-6ddf-11e0-9a3a-001cc4c002e0.html "Catching up: With protests over, business back to normal at Ian's Pizza."] ''madison.com''.</ref>. Gurfield refused to take sides: "We have always said, we're pro pizza"<ref name="mc-2013-11-02-walker-ians">Opoien, J. (2013, November 2). [https://madison.com/news/local/city-life/article_68003d50-481a-5d06-9fa4-e8c4c732453a.html "Is Scott Walker responsible for the success of Ian's Pizza?"] ''madison.com''.</ref>.
In January 2012 the store announced it would move across the street to 100 State St., the former Madison Children's Museum, 25 percent larger; Nick Martin was then "one of five owners of the State Street location". Because the building belonged to Frank's Liquor of La Crosse, the tied-house law meant the new store could sell no alcohol<ref name="mc-2012-01-22-ians-moving" />. The move came in about May 2012, with a larger salad bar, an open kitchen and a wall for large-scale art<ref name="ct-2012-06-14-p9">(2012, June 14). "Ian's serves an offbeat slice of heaven in bigger digs." ''The Capital Times''. p. 9. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522587625/ 522587625].</ref>. That autumn Gurfield opened his wood-fired [[S2 Pizzabar]] on State Street; it lasted four months<ref name="ct-2012-12-27-p9" />. In September 2013 Ian's hosted the National Pizza Eating Championship on Library Mall<ref name="ct-2013-09-19-p4">Thomas, R. (2013, September 19). "Slice of glory: Top eaters will chow down at Ian's pizza-eating contest." ''The Capital Times''. p. 4. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/520620843/ 520620843].</ref>.
===2015 to 2019===
In 2015 Ian's teamed up with its ostensible competitor [[Salvatore’s Tomato Pies|Salvatore's Tomato Pies]] to make its own sausage — about 400 pounds a week, of Uphoff kurobota pork — and was planning its sixth store, in Seattle<ref name="mc-2015-07-16-ians-sals-sausage">Christians, L. (2015, July 16). [https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_28262af3-5725-55a5-b1ff-0abe7234fa4e.html "Ian's Pizza and Sal's Tomato Pies team up to make their own sausage."] ''madison.com''.</ref>. Ian's signed a lease for the Garver Feed Mill by December 2017, two years before the renovated building opened<ref name="ct-2017-12-13-pO11">(2017, December 13). "Construction on Garver facility begins." ''The Capital Times''. p. O11. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/516779328/ 516779328].</ref>; the Garver store's first week in July 2019 was so busy the ovens failed — "It broke us" — and it closed briefly, reopening July 30<ref name="ct-2019-11-06-pO13">(2019, November 6). Garver Feed Mill opening, with Ian's Pizza among the tenants. ''The Capital Times''. p. O13. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/613239930/ 613239930].</ref>.
In 2015 Ian's teamed up with its ostensible competitor [[Salvatore’s Tomato Pies|Salvatore's Tomato Pies]] to make its own sausage — about 400 pounds a week, of Uphoff kurobota pork — and was planning its sixth store, in Seattle<ref name="mc-2015-07-16-ians-sals-sausage">Christians, L. (2015, July 16). [https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_28262af3-5725-55a5-b1ff-0abe7234fa4e.html "Ian's Pizza and Sal's Tomato Pies team up to make their own sausage."] ''madison.com''.</ref>. Ian's signed a lease for the Garver Feed Mill by December 2017, two years before the renovated building opened<ref name="ct-2017-12-13-pO11">(2017, December 13). "Construction on Garver facility begins." ''The Capital Times''. p. O11. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/516779328/ 516779328].</ref>; the Garver store's first week in July 2019 was so busy the ovens failed — "It broke us" — and it closed briefly, reopening July 30<ref name="ct-2019-11-06-pO13">(2019, November 6). Garver Feed Mill opening, with Ian's Pizza among the tenants. ''The Capital Times''. p. O13. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/613239930/ 613239930].</ref>.


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==Locations==
==Locations==
* 100 State St.<ref name="mc-2020-06-12-blm-pizza" />
* 100 State St. (from about May 2012)<ref name="ct-2012-06-14-p9" /><ref name="mc-2020-06-12-blm-pizza" />
* 319 N. Frances St. (open in 2020)<ref name="mc-2020-01-09-novanta">Kalk Derby, S. (2020, January 9). [https://madison.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/article_8b30c289-8457-531d-a219-5e5db0e1a9cc.html "New Novanta restaurant is quick, dependable and spirited."] ''madison.com''.</ref><ref name="mc-2020-11-07-cold-comfort">Christians, L. (2020, November 7). [https://madison.com/entertainment/dining/article_2fdc210d-f78e-55cb-a251-96fc41516a1e.html "Cold comfort: With winter on its way, Madison restaurants scramble to stay alive."] ''madison.com''.</ref>.
* 319 N. Frances St. (open in 2020)<ref name="mc-2020-01-09-novanta">Kalk Derby, S. (2020, January 9). [https://madison.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/article_8b30c289-8457-531d-a219-5e5db0e1a9cc.html "New Novanta restaurant is quick, dependable and spirited."] ''madison.com''.</ref><ref name="mc-2020-11-07-cold-comfort">Christians, L. (2020, November 7). [https://madison.com/entertainment/dining/article_2fdc210d-f78e-55cb-a251-96fc41516a1e.html "Cold comfort: With winter on its way, Madison restaurants scramble to stay alive."] ''madison.com''.</ref>.
* Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green (2019 to present)<ref name="ct-2023-11-15-pO44" /><ref name="mc-2026-01-19-ians-verona" />.
* Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green (2019 to present)<ref name="ct-2023-11-15-pO44" /><ref name="mc-2026-01-19-ians-verona" />.
* 303 W. Verona Ave., Verona (due to open in summer 2026).
* 303 W. Verona Ave., Verona (due to open in summer 2026).
===Former Locations===
* 115 State St. (2005 to about May 2012)<ref name="mc-2012-01-22-ians-moving" /><ref name="ct-2012-06-14-p9" />.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 17:12, 21 October 2026

Ian's Pizza was cofounded by Ian Gurfield. It opened on October 31, 2001, and is known for selling pizza by the slice, especially its mac 'n cheese pizza[1].

History

The first decade

Ian Gurfield founded Ian's Pizza By the Slice in 2001 on Frances Street, leaving space for a wood-fired oven that never came[2]. The State Street store opened in 2005 at 115 State St.[3], and by 2011 there were also stores in Milwaukee and Chicago[4]. In the Capital Times' "Top 5" lists of 2010 to 2013 the Mac n' Cheese slice came first every time[5].

When the protests against the budget-repair bill began in February 2011, the State Street store gave away 60 slices on February 15. Donors then began paying for pizzas for the protesters, and within a week the store had handed out over 3,000 20-inch pizzas, with orders from all 50 states and more than 50 countries, "including a research station in Antarctica"; staff came from the other stores to help[4]. By April the total was close to 56,000 slices; the store sold "This is what democracy tastes like" T-shirts for charity[6]. Gurfield refused to take sides: "We have always said, we're pro pizza"[7].

In January 2012 the store announced it would move across the street to 100 State St., the former Madison Children's Museum, 25 percent larger; Nick Martin was then "one of five owners of the State Street location". Because the building belonged to Frank's Liquor of La Crosse, the tied-house law meant the new store could sell no alcohol[3]. The move came in about May 2012, with a larger salad bar, an open kitchen and a wall for large-scale art[8]. That autumn Gurfield opened his wood-fired S2 Pizzabar on State Street; it lasted four months[2]. In September 2013 Ian's hosted the National Pizza Eating Championship on Library Mall[9].

2015 to 2019

In 2015 Ian's teamed up with its ostensible competitor Salvatore's Tomato Pies to make its own sausage — about 400 pounds a week, of Uphoff kurobota pork — and was planning its sixth store, in Seattle[10]. Ian's signed a lease for the Garver Feed Mill by December 2017, two years before the renovated building opened[11]; the Garver store's first week in July 2019 was so busy the ovens failed — "It broke us" — and it closed briefly, reopening July 30[12].

On State Street, owner Nick Martin spoke up in the debates of 2017 and 2018 about conditions at the top of State Street, and the store's Tuesday night open mics were held up as programming "inclusive to the homeless"[13].

In January 2026 Ian's had three stores in Madison, among them State Street and the Garver Feed Mill (opened 2019), three in Milwaukee, and one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, opened in July 2025, with a commercial kitchen at 802 Walsh Rd. Each store has its own group of owners drawn from its employees, friends and family; Nick Martin is managing partner of the Madison stores[1].

During the COVID-19 pandemic all three Madison stores of 2020, on State Street, on North Frances Street and at Garver, kept up carryout and delivery[14]. A fund called "Stay home! Send pizza!" sent Ian's pizzas to hospital workers in the spring of 2020[15], and Ian's gave pizza to the protesters of 2020, as it had to the Act 10 protesters of 2011, when it delivered up to 1,200 pizzas a day to the Capitol with orders from all 50 states and 72 countries[16][17]. Only three of its seven restaurants got federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants in 2021[18]. To keep staff, it guaranteed tipped workers $15 an hour and paid $2 more after 10 p.m.[19]

The largest store yet, 8,000 square feet at 303 W. Verona Ave. in Verona's Mill District, broke ground in early January 2026 and was due to open by midsummer. It is the first Ian's to sell liquor, and has its own Calliope Ice Cream counter[1].

Pizza

  • Seasonal specials include a Thanksgiving pizza: mozzarella, mushroom cream, mushrooms, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce and fried onions[20]. The "seasonal stunt pie" has been on the November menu in some form since at least 2007, when it was paired with a dessert pie of sweet potato, caramelized pecans and mini marshmallows; Jeff Bach overhauled the modern turkey-and-stuffing slice at the commissary around 2010, replacing a version held together by mashed potatoes and gravy[21].
  • "As far as the pizza world is concerned, tavern-style pizza is definitely having a moment," Gurfield said in 2026[22].

Locations

  • 100 State St. (from about May 2012)[8][16]
  • 319 N. Frances St. (open in 2020)[23][24].
  • Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green (2019 to present)[20][1].
  • 303 W. Verona Ave., Verona (due to open in summer 2026).

Former Locations

  • 115 State St. (2005 to about May 2012)[3][8].

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kalk Derby, S. (2026, January 19). "Ian's Pizza is coming to Verona, its 'biggest undertaking yet'." madison.com.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Christians, L. (2012, December 27). "A sister to Ian's, S2 Pizzabar gets wood-fired up." The Capital Times. p. 9. Newspapers.com image 520751949.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kalk Derby, S. (2012, January 22). "Restaurant news: Ian's Pizza to move across State Street." madison.com.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Novak, B. (2011, March 3). "Power (and pizza) to the people!" The Capital Times. p. 6. Newspapers.com image 522560162.
  5. ↑ (2010, March 4). "Top 5 slices at Ian's Pizza, State Street": Mac n' Cheese first. The Capital Times. p. 5. Newspapers.com image 522532381.
  6. ↑ Rose, D. (2011, April 23). "Catching up: With protests over, business back to normal at Ian's Pizza." madison.com.
  7. ↑ Opoien, J. (2013, November 2). "Is Scott Walker responsible for the success of Ian's Pizza?" madison.com.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 (2012, June 14). "Ian's serves an offbeat slice of heaven in bigger digs." The Capital Times. p. 9. Newspapers.com image 522587625.
  9. ↑ Thomas, R. (2013, September 19). "Slice of glory: Top eaters will chow down at Ian's pizza-eating contest." The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com image 520620843.
  10. ↑ Christians, L. (2015, July 16). "Ian's Pizza and Sal's Tomato Pies team up to make their own sausage." madison.com.
  11. ↑ (2017, December 13). "Construction on Garver facility begins." The Capital Times. p. O11. Newspapers.com image 516779328.
  12. ↑ (2019, November 6). Garver Feed Mill opening, with Ian's Pizza among the tenants. The Capital Times. p. O13. Newspapers.com image 613239930.
  13. ↑ Pasque, L. S. (2018, July 25). "State Street crime at a high." The Capital Times. p. O12. Newspapers.com image 508043289.
  14. ↑ Christians, L. (2020, March 17). "UPDATED: Some restaurants close, others shift to low-contact take-out in wake of COVID-19." madison.com.
  15. ↑ Christians, L. (2020, April 6). "Stay home, send pizza: Efforts to 'feed the frontlines' of coronavirus fight gain traction." madison.com.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Christians, L. (2020, June 12). "Restaurants say #blacklivesmatter with posts, pizza." madison.com.
  17. ↑ Vetterkind, R. (2021, February 7). "Act 10 helped put Ian's Pizza on the map." madison.com.
  18. ↑ Schmidt, M. (2021, July 31). "Only 1 in 3 Wisconsin restaurant applicants got COVID relief grant, leaving room for worry." madison.com.
  19. ↑ Christians, L. (2021, September 29). "Out of service: What will it take to bring back Madison's restaurant workers?" madison.com.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 (2023, November 15). Thanksgiving takeout roundup: Ian's Pizza Thanksgiving pizza. The Capital Times. p. O44. Newspapers.com image 1019208710.
  21. ↑ Lay, C. (2018, November 22). "Let's Eat: Give thanks for Ian's Pizza's tasty turkey-and-stuffing stunt slice." madison.com.
  22. ↑ Rodriguez, A. (2026, January 14). "Kebabs and coffee: 2026 culinary trends." The Capital Times. p. O30. Newspapers.com image 1291918101.
  23. ↑ Kalk Derby, S. (2020, January 9). "New Novanta restaurant is quick, dependable and spirited." madison.com.
  24. ↑ Christians, L. (2020, November 7). "Cold comfort: With winter on its way, Madison restaurants scramble to stay alive." madison.com.
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