1990s (decade)

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Revision as of 22:19, 23 October 2026 by Jacques (talk | contribs) (Add the 1993 events from the newspaper research recorded in the database)

The 1990s brought a wave of new pizza delivery businesses, several of them started by people who had worked for older ones. The decade ended with the bankruptcy of Pizza Pit.

1990
  • May 15: the city's liquor licence renewals carry five Pizza Huts, two Edwardo's (333 N. Bassett St. and 6601 Mineral Point Rd.), Pizzeria Uno, a liquor-licensed Pizza Pit in East Towne Mall, Showbiz Pizza Place and Tamarack II[1].
  • June–August: Pizzeria Uno and Pizza Pit sell box suppers at Concerts on the Square[2].
  • September: Angelo Fraboni reopens his former Colonial Inn, 5801 Monona Dr., as Angelo’s Pizzeria[3].
  • August: Tamarack II, 1300 S. Midvale Blvd., closes after nine years when its owner is refused a full bar[4].
  • December 14: Chez Michel, 7601 Mineral Point Rd., is to become a Pizzeria Uno in the spring[5].
1991
1992
  • February 12: a man with a knife robs the Little Caesar's at 6925 University Ave., Middleton[14].
  • April: the Capital Times counts 74 places to get pizza in the Madison area, among them 11 Pizza Pits, nine Rocky Rococos, seven Pizza Huts, six Domino's and two Pizzeria Unos[15].
  • May 21: Pizzeria Uno's west side restaurant is robbed at gunpoint[16].
  • June: Pizzeria Uno launches its "Plizzetta" thin-crust pizzas[17]; Rocky Rococo begins converting the Cinema Plus theater at 7952 Tree Lane into a "Party Pizzeria"[18].
  • July 17: Falbo Bros. is hiring drivers and pizza makers at 515 University Ave. two weeks before it opens[19].
  • August: Rocky Rococo's Party Pizzeria is open on Tree Lane[20].* September 28: Bill Stein, co-founder of Pizza Extreme, dies[21].
1993
  • January: Domino's has closed four of its five Madison-area stores and franchises the last, 2631 University Ave.[22]
  • March 25: Uncle Jim's Pizza, a delivery pizzeria, closes[23].
  • April 13: Falbo Bros. Pizzeria, Inc. is incorporated[24]; on May 1 Jay Rath gives the shop three stars[23].
  • April 18: Sandra Kallio reviews Rocky Rococo's Party Pizzeria on Tree Lane and pans Super Tom's on the Beltline[25].
  • May 26: the liquor licence list carries Tamarack Pizza at 601 Langdon St.[26]
  • August 18: a dining guide lists Falbo Bros., Pizzeria Uno, Rozino's, Supreme Pizza, Edwardo's and two Shakey's[27].
1994
  • November: the last Domino's has closed[28].
  • By July: Pagliai's has become Pavlov's Pizza[29].
1995
1996
1997
  • February: with Domino's and Little Caesar's gone, "Pizza Pit rules this town", writes Samara Kalk[35].
  • February: Planet Pizza opens at 2433 University Ave.; Gumby's has moved four blocks west[39].
  • July 9: Rocky Rococo opens at Westgate Mall and closes its restaurants at 694 S. Whitney Way and 3730 University Ave.[40]
  • August 15: Papa John's opens its third area store, in Middleton[41].
  • November 4: Glass Nickel Pizza opens at 2049 Atwood Ave.[42]
1998
  • April: Domino's returns to Madison at 703 S. Gammon Rd.[43]
  • October: Pavlov's Pizza is the last tenant left in a West Mifflin Street building that is to be redeveloped[44].
1999
  • March 28: Pavlov's Pizza closes downtown[45]. It reopens at 1511 Williamson St. at the end of September[46].
  • March: Pizza Pit advertises free delivery "from 21 convenient area locations"[47].
  • April 25: two men hold up the Pizza Hut at 811 S. Gammon Rd.[48]
  • May 1: Michael Muckian gives the west side Pizzeria Uno three stars[49].
  • May 26: the city's licence renewals carry seven Rocky Rococos, three Pizza Huts, two Pizzeria Unos, Sal's Pizzeria, Maddog's Pub & Pizzeria, Edwardo's, Urban Pizza Co. and the planned Pizzeria Bellini[50][51].
  • June: Biagio Gargano's Bellini's is expected to open after July 10 in the former Monastery, 401 E. Washington Ave.[52]; Rozino's has left Fairchild Street[52].
  • June 17 and 24: Samara Kalk's remark that Sal's slices have slipped sets off the "Sal's vs. Casa Bianca" debate[52][53].
  • July 30: Pizza Pit Ltd. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection[54].
  • August: readers of Isthmus vote Glass Nickel the best pizza in Madison[55].
  • August 26: Sal's Pizzeria, 313 State St., is listed for sale at $200,000[55]. Casa Bianca's Nafi Elmazi takes it over in September and keeps the Casa Bianca name[56].
  • October 1: Glass Nickel's second store is due to open at 5003 University Ave.[55]
  • October 28: The Capital Times' restaurant guide lists 15 pizzerias with their hours, among them Alley Oops, both Buck's, Old Chicago, Piece of the Pie, seven Pizza Pits, The Pizza Oven and a Rosati's on Mineral Point Road[57][58][59].
  • December: Rosati's Pizza is first found in Madison[60].

Notes

  1. ↑ (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.
  2. ↑ (1990, June 24). "Concerts on the Square box suppers." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 88. Newspapers.com images 405451984, 521663672.
  3. ↑ Rath, J. (1990, November 3). "Pizza place true to family tradition." The Capital Times. p. 39. Newspapers.com image 520343685.
  4. ↑ Riddle, J. (1990, September 1). "Dispute closes pizzeria." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 16. Newspapers.com image 405441029.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Rath, J. (1991, May 18). Cheap Eats: Pagliais Pizza. The Capital Times. p. 33. Newspapers.com image 519954972.
  7. ↑ Moe, D. (2010, June 8). "Doug Moe: Ald. Sanborn buys Buck's Pizza, but won't mess with success." madison.com.
  8. ↑ Rath, J. (1991, October 26). "'Extreme' tastes familiar." The Capital Times. p. 28. Newspapers.com image 520380615.
  9. ↑ Rath, J. (1992, January 18). "Students love Gumby's." The Capital Times. p. 27. Newspapers.com image 521267260.
  10. ↑ (1991, January 11). "Winter Carnival events." The Capital Times. p. 32. Newspapers.com image 519975756.
  11. ↑ (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.
  12. ↑ (1991, July 13). "Pizzeria Uno to open second location." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 16. Newspapers.com image 404280971.
  13. ↑ (1991, August 11). Pizza Extreme help-wanted advertisement (earliest found). Wisconsin State Journal. p. 85. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.
  14. ↑ (1992, February 13). "Police seek man in pizzeria robbery." The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com images 521657183, 521657634.
  15. ↑ (1992, April 15). "Just the Facts." The Capital Times. p. 1. Newspapers.com images 520401464, 520401361.
  16. ↑ (1992, May 21). "Pizzeria robbery." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 14. Newspapers.com image 405884882.
  17. ↑ (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.
  18. ↑ Silver, J. D. (1992, June 26). "New Rococo's to offer pizza with a twist." The Capital Times. p. 11. Newspapers.com image 521661769.
  19. ↑ (1992, July 17). 'Drivers & pizzamakers — drivers need own car & insurance. Falbo Bros. Pizzeria, 515 University, 255-9090/256-0506' (also WSJ July 19 p77, July 20 p22, July 21 p24). The Capital Times. p. 17. Newspapers.com images 521661322, 406398279, 406399938, 406400590.
  20. ↑ (1992, August 14). Rocky Rococo: 'NOW OPEN! Rocky Rococo's Party Pizzeria (Mineral Point Rd. just east of Beltline). Restaurant open for lunch & dinner with full menu, plus two giant party rooms with movie theatre screens for parties, meeting…. The Capital Times. p. 47. Newspapers.com image 521282813.
  21. ↑ (1992, September 29). "Stein, William L." The Capital Times. p. 28. Newspapers.com images 521269345, 406187507.
  22. ↑ (1993, January 14). "Last Domino's gets new owner." The Capital Times. p. 31. Newspapers.com image 521273773.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Rath, J. (1993, May 1). "Falbo Bros. really delivers: Its thick-crust pizza ranks near the top." The Capital Times. p. 38. Newspapers.com image 521422908.
  24. ↑ (1993, May 27). "Incorporations." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 49. Newspapers.com image 406411496.
  25. ↑ Kallio, S. (1993, April 18). "Pasta pales next to pepperoni pizza — But food secondary at family-oriented Rocky's restaurant." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 64. Newspapers.com image 406434481.
  26. ↑ (1993, May 26). City of Madison 1993–94 Class B liquor renewals (reprinted May 27 p45 and May 28 p22): Pizza Hut of East Madison (Roger J. Koehler) 3059 E. Washington Ave.; Pizza Hut of East Towne (Michael W. Peschel) 2649 East Springs Dr.…. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 9. Newspapers.com images 406410283, 406411448, 406411863.
  27. ↑ (1993, August 18). "Good dining spots — Pizza." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 93. Newspapers.com image 406358045.
  28. ↑ (1994, November 18). Domino's at 2631 University Ave. has closed; phone disconnected. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 23. Newspapers.com image 406431558.
  29. ↑ (1994, July 1). Notice of public hearing on liquor and beer licence applications, July 1994. The Capital Times. p. 18. Newspapers.com image 519927365.
  30. ↑ (1995, August 7). Licence notice, Wadsworth Old Chicago, 7202 Mineral Point Rd. The Capital Times. p. 16.
  31. ↑ Brixey, E. (1997, June 7). "Man sentenced for 1995 Rocky Rococo's robbery." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 5. Newspapers.com images 402454522, 402454145.
  32. ↑ (1996, January 27). Help-wanted advertisement: management positions, Little Caesars Pizza Station at Kmart, 3801 E. Washington Ave. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 31. Newspapers.com image 397382278.
  33. ↑ Hawkins, L. (1996, July 30). "Little Caesar's closes." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 16. Newspapers.com image 398441433.
  34. ↑ Ivey, M. (1996, September 12). "Franchisee sues Little Caesar's." The Capital Times. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 522283167.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Kalk, S. (1997, February 8). "Papa John's finds niche." The Capital Times. p. 40. Newspapers.com image 519930305.
  36. ↑ (1996, February 11). Pizza Extreme help-wanted advertisement, 605 E. Washington and 2936 Fish Hatchery Rd. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 74. Newspapers.com image 397200098.
  37. ↑ (1996, September 8). Pizza Extreme delivery-driver advertisement listing three stores. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 79. Newspapers.com image 406359778.
  38. ↑ (1996, August 18). Gumby's help-wanted advertisement, 2433 University Ave. and 310 S. Brearly. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 83. Newspapers.com image 405452215.
  39. ↑ Kalk, S. (1997, March 1). Planet Pizza opens at 2433 University Ave.; Gumby's moves four blocks west. The Capital Times. p. 38. Newspapers.com image 519932637.
  40. ↑ (1997, July 9). "Rocky's pizza adds sites in Westgate, Baraboo." The Capital Times. p. 21. Newspapers.com image 523177023.
  41. ↑ Winter, E. (1997, August 15). Changes: Papa John's Pizza opens its third Madison-area restaurant, 6615 University Ave., Middleton. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 8. Newspapers.com image 401985772.
  42. ↑ (1997, November 8). Cheap Eats news: Glass Nickel Pizza Company opens. The Capital Times. p. 41. Newspapers.com image 522191880.
  43. ↑ (1998, April 29). Help-wanted advertisement: Domino's Pizza "now opening on the SW side of Madison", 703 S. Gammon Rd. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 26. Newspapers.com image 404524068.
  44. ↑ Kalk, S. (1998, October 23). Don Hovde's West Mifflin Street project is short one Silver Dollar. The Capital Times. p. 1, 8A. Newspapers.com images 522540978, 522541391.
  45. ↑ Kalk, S. (1999, April 8). Same pizza, new doghouse: Pavlov's to move to Williamson Street. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 52. Newspapers.com images 404457826, 521944173.
  46. ↑ Kalk, S. (1999, October 7). Pavlov's knows delays: Pavlov's Pizza reopens on Williamson Street. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 65. Newspapers.com images 401861394, 522183330.
  47. ↑ (1999, March 19). Pizza Pit: 'Madison's Most Award Winning Pizza! Free, fast & hot delivery from 21 convenient area locations'; coupon for a 14-inch large classic pizza with two toppings, expires March 31, 1999. Same page: Pizzeria Uno 'Uno…. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 19. Newspapers.com images 404513328, 522233590.
  48. ↑ (1999, April 26). "Pizzeria holdup." The Capital Times. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 521948093.
  49. ↑ Muckian, M. (1999, May 1). "Pizzeria Uno's variety proves to be great pace-setter." The Capital Times. p. 41. Newspapers.com image 521995621.
  50. ↑ (1999, May 26). City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol licence renewals, part 1: Beer Class A, Beer Class B (#41–63) and grocery Class A; Rocky Rococo (First Madco Inc., agent Wayne Mosley) at 1618 W. Beltline Hwy., 4556 Monona Dr., 4002 E. Wash…. The Capital Times. p. 6. Newspapers.com images 522006387, 522006852, 522007480.
  51. ↑ (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.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 Kalk, S. (1999, June 17). "Gila Monster bites dust; Cleveland's takes break." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 64. Newspapers.com image 404115636.
  53. ↑ Kalk, S. (1999, June 24). "Sal's vs. Casa Bianca: the great pizza lovers' debate." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 64. Newspapers.com image 404124226.
  54. ↑ Richgels, J. (2000, January 14). "Pizza Pit pursues recipe for survival." The Capital Times. p. 26. Newspapers.com image 522005689.
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 Kalk, S. (1999, August 26). Sal's listed for sale; Glass Nickel expands to west side. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 61. Newspapers.com images 402056959, 522664495.
  56. ↑ Kalk, S. (1999, October 21). "Wild Grains to fill Knickerbocker Place bakery void." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 64. Newspapers.com images 401929879, 401929898.
  57. ↑ (1999, October 28). "Rhythm Restaurant Guide 1999–2000: Pizzerias (1)." The Capital Times. p. 113. Newspapers.com image 522190911.
  58. ↑ (1999, October 28). "Rhythm Restaurant Guide 1999–2000: Pizzerias (2)." The Capital Times. p. 114. Newspapers.com image 522190918.
  59. ↑ (1999, October 28). "Rhythm Restaurant Guide 1999–2000: Pizzerias (3)." The Capital Times. p. 115. Newspapers.com image 522190922.
  60. ↑ (1999, December 9). Clock Tower Court merchants advertisement naming Rosati's Pizza. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 30. Newspapers.com image 398395983.
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