Pizza Brutta

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Revision as of 03:37, 22 October 2026 by Jacques (talk | contribs) (Add the 2005–2009 years from the newspaper research recorded in the database; earlier text kept)

Pizza Brutta is a Neapolitan-style pizzeria at 1805 Monroe St., owned by Derek and Darcy Lee[1][2]. Its wood-fired pizzas follow the strict Neapolitan rules[3].

History

Derek and Darcy Lee applied for a licence for Pizza Brutta at 1805 Monroe St. in May 2007[4] and opened it late that year in the former Sepp Sports ski shop, a stone cottage across from Trader Joe's that resembled "a Hansel and Gretel cottage"; they had not returned the Capital Times' calls before opening, for which its reviewer held "a tiny grudge" for a few months. The name means "ugly pizza", chosen because "bella" is overused by Italian restaurants. Customers ordered at a white marble counter in front of the wood-burning brick oven and paid before sitting; the State Journal found the first crusts floppy and the takeout box advising a 500-degree reheat, while the Capital Times' three-star review two months later judged the crust tastier and the cheese more respectable than at Cafe Porta Alba. The prosciutto came from La Quercia in Iowa and the mozzarella from an Oshkosh dairy; Lee promised organic gelato[5][6]. At the end of 2009 a margherita for $7.70 was still "deliciously simple"[7].

In March 2020, when the dining rooms closed, Pizza Brutta had two stores, on Monroe Street and at 6712 Frank Lloyd Wright Ave. in Middleton, and offered curbside pickup at both[1]. When the Lees signed the lease in Middleton, the floor was still dirt[2]. In 2020 they decided to close the Middleton store and concentrate on Monroe Street[8], and Pasqual's Cantina moved into the Middleton space in 2021[9]. The Monroe Street store was still open in 2022[10].

Pizza

  • Ten specialty pizzas in 2007–2008, at $9 to $12.50: the Siciliana (tomato, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, kalamata olives, basil and eggplant), the Salsiccia with a Wisconsin fennel sausage and rosemary, the Salami e Funghi, the Margherita with mozzarella made in-house, and a white "market" pizza with wood-roasted almond pesto on fontina[5][6].

Locations

  • 1805 Monroe St. (late 2007 to present)[5].
  • 6712 Frank Lloyd Wright Ave., Middleton (to 2020).

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Christians, L. (2020, March 19). "Madison restaurants shift to takeout and delivery, bringing burgers, coffee to your doorstep." madison.com.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kalk Derby, S. (2021, March 2). "'Community over competition': One pizzeria helps another after Sun Prairie crash." madison.com.
  3. ↑ Kalk Derby, S. (2020, January 9). "New Novanta restaurant is quick, dependable and spirited." madison.com.
  4. ↑ (2007, May 9). Licence applications: Sendero, LLC, agent Darcy Lee, dba Pizza Brutta, 1805 Monroe Street, Class B beer, Class C wine. The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com image 522529594.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Martell, C. (2007, December 30). "Pizza Brutta has potential thanks to location, but it needs work." madison.com.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kalk Derby, S. (2008, February 14). "Pizza Brutta brings fire and crust to Monroe St." madison.com.
  7. ↑ Dean, K. (2009, December 29). "Let's Eat for $7.70: Through thick or thin, pizza's a pleaser." madison.com.
  8. ↑ Christians, L. (2020, October 22). "'This is going to be a long haul': Local taverns close for the winter." madison.com.
  9. ↑ Kalk Derby, S. (2021, June 17). "Pasqual's Cantina at Hilldale moving after 14 years." madison.com.
  10. ↑ (2022, January 5). Interview with an artist naming his favorite places, among them Pizza Brutta. The Capital Times. p. O14. Newspapers.com image 799606472.
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