Pizzeria Uno

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Revision as of 21:18, 23 October 2026 by Jacques (talk | contribs) (Add the 1992 reviews, Plizzettas, robbery and Krupp partnership from the newspaper research recorded in the database)

Pizzeria Uno (later Uno Chicago Grill) is a national restaurant chain from Chicago, known for deep dish pizza. It had restaurants in Madison from 1984 to 2022.

History

The first Madison restaurant was announced in August 1984 as "coming to Madison in November at 222 W. Gorham St."[1] A second opened on Monday, July 15, 1991, on the far west side, at 7601 Mineral Point Rd., in "the 125-year-old Ganzer farmhouse" that had been the restaurant Chez Michel since 1981; the building was expanded and renovated with ceramic tile floors, a mahogany bar and booths[2][3]. The licence had been applied for in March 1991 under Uno's Concepts of Madison, Inc., with Thomas G. Beach as agent[4][5]. Two reviews followed. John Kovalic of the State Journal found the old house "far more conducive to dining than the cavernous State Street location" and noted that "even Chicago, home of the original Uno, has but two such restaurants"; the Numero Uno was $9.95 and the Spinoccoli $9.25, and carry-out pizzas came fully baked, unbaked or frozen[6]. Jay Rath of the Capital Times liked the Spinoccoli best of Uno's pizzas, found the centre of a small "Chicago's Famous" soggy, and reported that the general manager, Lisa Reisdorf, had put the staff through a week with Uno's trainers from Boston rather than transfer the "too student-oriented" downtown crew[7]. Two masked men robbed the west side restaurant at gunpoint at 12:30 a.m. on May 21, 1992, while it was still open[8]. Both were listed in a 1994 dining guide[9].

In 1990 the downtown restaurant, licensed to Pizzeria Uno of Madison Inc. with the developer Joseph Krupp as agent[10], advertised itself as "Voted Madison's Best Pizza Restaurant" with a "Camp Uno" summer promotion[11], and sold $5 personal deep-dish box suppers at Concerts on the Square, where a State Journal reviewer found the pizza "doughy and unexciting"[12][13]. That July the franchise, Pizzeria Uno Restaurants of Wisconsin, was recruiting managers for an expansion in Madison and Milwaukee[14]; its office was at 2 E. Mifflin St.[15] On December 14, 1990, the paper reported that the "upper crust" Chez Michel on Mineral Point Road, ten years old, would close at the end of the month and be converted to a Pizzeria Uno in the spring. Tom Beach, president of the franchise, expected about 60 full- and part-time workers, some of them from the 20 or so losing their jobs at Chez Michel, and was enlarging the kitchen for quick lunch service; a third Uno was planned for Milwaukee[16][17].

In 1999 the two restaurants were licensed to Pizzeria Uno of Madison Inc. (Gorham Street) and Uno's Concepts of Madison Inc. (Mineral Point Road), both with Thomas G. Beach as agent[18]. Beach, "owner of both Madison Pizzeria Uno restaurants and a third Wisconsin outlet in Milwaukee" (Elm Grove), was vice president of the Greater State Street Business Association that year and backed the parking ramp planned for the Cue-Nique site on West Gorham Street[19][20][21]. Michael Muckian gave the west side restaurant, in "the old brick farmhouse on Mineral Point Road", three stars in May 1999: six thin-crust pizzas and twice as many deep dish in three sizes, from $5.49 for a small cheese to $19.69 for a large Chicago Classic or jambalaya pizza, alongside fajitas, crab cakes and sirloin tips. The Artipeggio thin crust (eggplant, artichoke hearts, red peppers) outdid the jambalaya deep dish[22]. The restaurant opened an outdoor patio that summer[23], and both were in the October 1999 restaurant guide, open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight[24].

The licence lists of 2000 and 2001 carried the downtown and west side restaurants under Pizzeria Uno of Madison, Inc. and Uno's Concepts of Madison, Inc., both with Thomas G. Beach as agent[25][26]. Taggers acid-etched the Gorham Street window in December 2000, "owner Tom Beach" told a reporter[27], and the mid-State Street parking ramp was planned in 2001 for the lot next door[28]. The third restaurant, Pizzeria Uno Chicago Bar & Grill at 3010 Crossroads Dr. on the far east side, applied for its licence in May 2002 under Pizza Ventures III LLC and was "now open" on May 27, 2002 — "How long does it take to get from Chicago to Madison's Eastside? Just over 59 years"[29][30]. Sandra Kallio reviewed it for the State Journal in January 2004: tucked behind the car dealerships near Highway 151 and the Eastgate cinemas, with a Hot Tub Martini, firefighter memorabilia on the walls and an individual deep dish for $3.29[31]. That year the Gorham Street building belonged to Urban Land Interests and was considered for the garage project[32]. The city's licence lists carried all three from 2002 to 2007[29][33][34]. In 2007 the West Side restaurant, with a daily deep-dish and thin-crust special at $8 or $9 a person, was a lawyer's business-lunch "hot spot"[35]. In 2010 the two remaining restaurants, East at 3010 Crossroads Dr. and West at 7601 Mineral Point Rd., advertised their patios together as Uno Chicago Grill[36]; the deep dish Numero Uno was the most popular item on the menu in 2011[37].

The west side restaurant closed on May 16, 2016. Its owner, Tom Beach, had then been with the brand 26 years: he bought the downtown Uno (opened 1985) in 1987 and ran it until it closed around 2010[38]. The developer Joseph Krupp was his partner in those years: a 1992 profile said Krupp "took over the ownership of Pizzeria Uno on Gorham Street several years ago and maintains an interest in the West" side restaurant[39]. He said the land was worth more redeveloped. Apartments called Uno Terrace were built there, and the farmhouse was kept as a community room[3]. In March 2022 the east side restaurant was "the only Uno's still in business locally"[40]. It was still on the city's licence list that May[41], and had closed by July[42].

Pizza

  • The Numero Uno and the Chicago Classic deep dish — "the pizza that made us famous" in a 1999 advertisement — were the signature pies; in 1999 the deep-dish list also had Spinoccoli, Sea Delico (shrimp and seafood), chicken and portabello with roasted garlic, and a jambalaya pizza with shrimp, Andouille sausage and chicken. Thin crusts included the Superoni and the Artipeggio[22][43]. The Numero Uno was still the most popular item in 2011[37].
  • Uno "credits itself with inventing the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza in 1943"[22].
  • In 1992 the downtown restaurant added nine pasta dishes, which two three-star reviews that May found ordinary beside the Numero Uno[44][45], and in June it launched "Plizzettas", a dozen gourmet thin-crust pizzas from plain cheese ($4.95) to Cordon Bleu ($7.95). Jay Rath gave them one star: "Uno's, supposedly the first restaurant to serve deep-dish pizza, is probably the last pizzeria to come out with a thin-crust version. It's not very good"[46][47]. That autumn's Uno Platter was garlic bread, a small salad and an individual deep dish for $6.95[48].

Former Locations

  • 222 W. Gorham St. (about November 1984; licensed through 2004[49]; the building belonged to Urban Land Interests by April 2004[32]). The building was Quaker Steak & Lube by May 2012[50].
  • 7601 Mineral Point Rd. (July 15, 1991[2] to May 16, 2016[38]). Before Uno the farmhouse was Chez Michel, with the Cajun Cafe on its second floor, until the end of 1990[17].
  • 3010 Crossroads Dr. (May 2002[30] to about June 2022). La Taguara was to open in the space[42].

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ (1984, August 28). Pizzeria Uno coming to Madison in November at 222 W. Gorham St. The Capital Times. p. 6. Newspapers.com image 520341374.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 (1991, July 13). "Pizzeria Uno to open second location." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 16. Newspapers.com image 404280971.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 (2023, November 29). Uno Terrace apartments at 7601 Mineral Point Rd. Wisconsin State Journal. p. A9. Newspapers.com image 1021473905.
  4. ↑ (1991, March 20). Liquor licence applications to be considered by the Common Council on April 2, 1991: Uno's Concepts of Madison, Inc., Thomas G. Beach, agent, d/b/a Pizzeria Uno Restaurant & Bar, 7601 Mineral Point Road, Class B combinatio…. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 16. Newspapers.com images 404236690, 404237016, 404237439.
  5. ↑ (1991, May 20). City of Madison 1991–92 Class B liquor licence renewals (reprinted May 21 p7 and May 22 p27): Pizza Hut at 3059 E. Washington Ave., 2649 East Springs Dr., 4709 Verona Rd., 7440 Mineral Point Rd. and 662 State St.; Pizzeria …. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 6. Newspapers.com images 404281521, 404281684, 404282071.
  6. ↑ Kovalic, J. (1991, August 4). "West Side Pizzeria Uno keeps high standard." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 58. Newspapers.com image 406361246.
  7. ↑ Rath, J. (1991, September 28). "Hey, pizza fans: West-side Uno's is upper crusty." The Capital Times. p. 25. Newspapers.com image 521672885.
  8. ↑ (1992, May 21). "Pizzeria robbery." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 14. Newspapers.com image 405884882.
  9. ↑ (1994, August 17). Answer Book: Where to eat in Madison. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 86. Newspapers.com image 406002404.
  10. ↑ (1990, May 15). City of Madison 1990–91 Class B liquor licence renewals (reprinted May 18 p24 and May 19 p6): Pizza Pit, 78 East Towne Mall (Kerry P. Cook, agent Terry K. Voice); Edwardo's Natural Pizza Restaurant 333 N. Bassett St. (Erl …. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 22. Newspapers.com images 405195087, 405339396, 405340124.
  11. ↑ (1990, July 15). Pizzeria Uno 'Camp Uno' summer ad: 'Spending the summer at Pizzeria Uno. Deep dish diving every day'; corner of State and Gorham, next-door parking, 255-7722, 'Voted Madison's Best Pizza Restaurant'; buy one get one free, …. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 92. Newspapers.com image 405297470.
  12. ↑ (1990, June 24). "Concerts on the Square box suppers." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 88. Newspapers.com images 405451984, 521663672.
  13. ↑ (1990, July 1). "Concerts on the Square box suppers reviewed." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 94. Newspapers.com image 405279481.
  14. ↑ (1990, July 29). 'Pizzeria Uno Restaurants of Wisconsin is expanding their operations in Madison and Milwaukee and is now accepting resumes for Restaurant Managers' with two or more years in full-service casual theme restaurants. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 41. Newspapers.com image 405358021.
  15. ↑ (1990, November 23). Accountant wanted by 'the corporate office of a Madison based multi-unit restaurant franchise': Pizzeria Uno Restaurants of Wisconsin, 2 E. Mifflin, Suite 100, Madison (also CT Nov. 23 p32, Nov. 24 p23, WSJ Nov. 25 p96). Wisconsin State Journal. p. 39. Newspapers.com images 404461332, 520352262, 404465182.
  16. ↑ Riddle, J. (1990, December 14). "Diners seek more pizza, less pizazz — Chez Michel to become pizzeria." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Newspapers.com images 406899263, 406899275.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 (1990, December 24). "Briefly." The Capital Times. p. 13. Newspapers.com image 521659665.
  18. ↑ (1999, May 26). City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol licence renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N…. The Capital Times. p. 7. Newspapers.com images 522006391, 522007482.
  19. ↑ (1999, March 4). "Business people." The Capital Times. p. 18. Newspapers.com image 522230209.
  20. ↑ (1999, June 9). "State Street gift certificates." The Capital Times. p. 23. Newspapers.com image 522180785.
  21. ↑ (1999, July 1). "Ramp." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 18. Newspapers.com image 404115451.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Muckian, M. (1999, May 1). "Pizzeria Uno's variety proves to be great pace-setter." The Capital Times. p. 41. Newspapers.com image 521995621.
  23. ↑ (1999, May 2). Pizzeria Uno (West Towne area) hiring hosts and waitstaff 'with growing summer sales and the opening of our popular outdoor patio'. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 106. Newspapers.com image 404185962.
  24. ↑ (1999, October 28). "Rhythm Restaurant Guide 1999–2000: Pizzerias (2)." The Capital Times. p. 114. Newspapers.com image 522190918.
  25. ↑ (2000, May 24). City of Madison licence renewal applications, 2000–01 (pages 39–40). The Capital Times. p. 39. Newspapers.com images 522190287, 522190287, 522190294.
  26. ↑ (2001, May 25). City of Madison licence renewal applications, 2001–02 (pages 6–7). The Capital Times. p. 6. Newspapers.com images 522638205, 522638205, 522638207.
  27. ↑ Ivey, M. (2000, December 6). "Graffiti taggers etch downtown windows." The Capital Times. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 522213378.
  28. ↑ Davidoff, J. (2001, December 18). "Mid-State Street parking ramp planned for Buckeye lot next to Pizzeria Uno." The Capital Times. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 525999731.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 (2002, May 21). City of Madison licence renewal applications, 2002–03 (pages 4–5). The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com images 526007657, 526007657, 526007659.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 (2002, May 27). Pizzeria Uno advertisement: 'Now open' on Madison's East Side at Crossroads Drive. The Capital Times. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 526008327.
  31. ↑ Kallio, S. (2004, January 15). "Pizzeria Uno serves enough for due or tre." madison.com.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 (2004, April 20). "Options for the mid-State Street parking garage." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 396511872.
  33. ↑ (2005, May 23). City of Madison licence renewal list, May 2005 (continued): Casa Bianca, Pizza Pit, Pizzeria Uno, Glass Nickel, Pizza Di Roma, Urban Pizza Cafe. The Capital Times. p. 5. Newspapers.com image 525987738.
  34. ↑ (2007, May 28). City of Madison licence renewal list, May 2007: Rocky Rococo (8 stores), Cafe Porta Alba, Casa Bianca, Pizza Pit, Urban Pizza Cafe, Pizza Di Roma, Pizza Hut, Unos, Roman Candle. The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com image 529156052.
  35. ↑ (2007, July 1). "Hot spot: Uno Chicago Grill." madison.com.
  36. ↑ (2010, June 24). Uno Chicago Grill patio advertisement listing the East (3010 Crossroads Dr.) and West (7601 Mineral Point Rd.) stores. The Capital Times. p. 31. Newspapers.com image 522591648.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 (2011, May 19). "Top 5 most popular menu items at Uno Chicago Grill": the deep dish Numero Uno first. The Capital Times. p. 5. Newspapers.com image 522525537.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Kalk Derby, S. (2016, May 25). "Restaurant News: Uno Pizzeria and Grill closes on West Side, East still open." madison.com.
  39. ↑ (1992, December 10). "Resume: Joseph Krupp." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 47. Newspapers.com image 406430116.
  40. ↑ (2022, March 6). Item calling the east-side Uno "the only Uno's still in business locally". Wisconsin State Journal. p. D7.
  41. ↑ (2022, May 26). City of Madison licence list, May 2022. Wisconsin State Journal.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 (2022, July 13). La Taguara to open in the former Uno, 3010 Crossroads Dr. The Capital Times. p. O27.
  43. ↑ (1999, October 28). Pizzeria Uno Chicago Bar & Grill: 'Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza — the pizza that made us famous'; downtown at State & Gorham 255-7722, 7601 Mineral Point Rd. 833-7200, and Elm Grove. The Capital Times. p. 108. Newspapers.com image 522190880.
  44. ↑ Collins, M. (1992, May 2). "Uno's pizzas great, but pastas only so-so." The Capital Times. p. 23. Newspapers.com image 520406331.
  45. ↑ Rath, J. (1992, May 8). "Uno's pizza good, pasta needs work." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 52. Newspapers.com images 405890522, 520406773.
  46. ↑ (1992, June 26). Pizzeria Uno: 'These thin crust pizzas are so good we had to give them their own name. They're called Plizzettas'; introductory special, free house or Caesar salad with any Plizzetta; State & Gorham 255-7722, 7601 Mineral …. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 44. Newspapers.com images 406427869, 521662057.
  47. ↑ Rath, J. (1992, August 22). "Pizzeria Uno's new thin-crust version like 'Bisquick from a box'." The Capital Times. p. 38. Newspapers.com images 521287539, 406432862.
  48. ↑ (1992, October 18). Pizzeria Uno 'Uno Platter' — two pieces of garlic bread, small house or Caesar salad, any individual deep dish pizza, $6.95, $1 off coupon to Nov. 15, 1992 (also WSJ Oct. 22 p24, CT Oct. 22 p49). Wisconsin State Journal. p. 10. Newspapers.com images 406397540, 406402617, 521264912.
  49. ↑ (2004, May 25). City of Madison licence renewal applications, 2004–05 (pages 4–5). The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com images 526011606, 526011606, 526011457.
  50. ↑ (2012, May 10). City of Madison licence list, May 2012. Wisconsin State Journal.
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