Pudgy's Pizzeria

I have to admit, I don't like da'Bears, I don't like da'Bulls, I don't like da'Cubs, and the da'White Sox are just alright, but I really like da'food at Pudgy's Pizzeria.

A couple weeks ago I started working out again, and since then I have been really hungry all the time. So when topic turned to where to get pizza Saturday night, I told my wife that thin crust just wasn't going to cut it, I needed deep dish Chicago style pizza loaded with toppings. Well when I want Chicago Style Pizza, I want REAL Chicago style pizza, made by I guy from the Windy City! That is what you get from Phil Cerra at Pudgy's Pizzeria.

Phil has been selling Chicago eats since 1977, when he started his first business a Chicago Dog stand in Chicago's Central Park Mall. He has since moved to Omaha and created Pudgy's Pizzeria, a little neighborhood pizza joint, like those in Chicago.

Pudgy's has Pizza, Chicago Dogs, Italian Beef and some Appetizers. As hungry as I was on Saturday, I tried to eat them all, and came close. We ordered The Works Chicago Style Pizza loaded with Beef, pepperoni, fresh mushrooms, black olives, green peppers and onion (no black olives on my half) I also ordered an Italian Beef and some Cheese Bread. Hey I said I was hungry!

First off the was the Italian Beef, this was my first Italian Beef. I have seen them on Food TV and the Travel Channel, but have never had one. I was not disappointed, it was hogie bun loaded with thin sliced roast beef and splashed with a perfect amount of the rich tasty broth. It also came with some type of pepper mixture on the side, can't remember its name, but they were incredible, I dumped the whole thing on my sandwich. This was a great sandwich! I will be back for another one!

We also had an order of the cheese bread. It was buttery, and cheesy with just a hint of garlic. It is the perfect appetizer to hold you over while you wait for your pizza.

Now on to the Pizza. This is Chicago Style DEEP dish pizza. So don't expect this to be done in 15 minutes. It takes about 40-45 minutes, but it is well worth the wait. So order an appetizer and enjoy your wait, watching the game on TV.

If you have never had REAL Chicago Style pizza before, let me explain. It starts with a thick crust in a deep dish, next is the Cheese, yes I said the cheese goes on next, then your topping and then a chunky sauce. Yeah they put the sauce on top, and it is good enough to be on top. This is a "stick to your ribs pizza" and it is packed with flavor!!!

I have had the world famous UNO Pizza, one of the Chicago originals, it was great, but I will take Omaha's own Pudgy's over them any day!

Do you wanted to try a Chicago Style - Pizza, Dog or Italian Beef?
Well get over to Pudgy's!

Pudgy's Pizzeria
16919 Audrey Street
Omaha, NE 68136-3188
(402) 884-7566
http://www.pudgys.net/

OK I will give the da'Bears 4-6 Defense in the 80's some props. It was the second best, next to the Steel Curtain of the 70's!

Orsi's Italian Bakery & Pizzeria

I was working downtown on Friday and found myself starving around noontime. Lately I have been craving pizza and have not had Orsi's in a few months. So I headed over to Little Italy and got an individual hamburger pizza. Orsi's is a place that one of the food channels should do a story on. They are old school and unique. It is one of those places that could be cast in a movie. It's a neighborhood shop in a historic part of town. That always has traffic and conversation.

Orsi's is an Italian Bakery and a Pizza take out. Many people know about Orsi's bread, it is a historical favorite here in the metro. I love to have it with a steak dinner or with any pasta dish I make. Not only does Orsi's have great bread and great pizza, they also have a deli case with fresh Italian meats and cheeses.

About the pizza, of coarse Orsi's has great crust. It's in an Italian Bakery so the crust is awesome. That's just the half of it. The toppings are always top notch and the sauce is loaded with a classic flavor. I am not sure what type of cheese the use, but it REALLY good and they load it up. If you like great crust and a pizza with a ton of cheese and flavor this is for you.

Here are some things to know about Orsi's pizza.
1. On your first order asked for help. Orsi's larges are huge and filling
2. It is take out only. No tables and the don't allow picnics on the floor.
3. Don't forget to pick-up a loaf of bread when you come in.

If you want to try classic pizza from an old school pizza shop
Get down to Omaha's historic Little Italy and stop in to Orsi's and get a great pizza!

Orsi's Italian Bakery & Pizzeria
621 Pacific Street
Omaha, NE 68108
(402) 345-3438
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS376&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=orsi

Shirley's Diner

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days.
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days.
Saturday, What a day,
Groovin' all week with you.

These days are all,
Happy and Free. (Those Happy Days)
These days are all,
Share them with me. (oh baby)
Goodbye grey sky, hello blue.
There's nothing can hold me when I hold you.
Feels so right, it can't be wrong.
Rockin' and rollin' all week long.

These days are all,
Share them with me. (Those Happy Days)
These days are all, Happy and Free.
These Happy Days are your's and mine, Happy Days.

OK maybe I over did the intro, but every time I go to Shirley's Diner that song is stuck in my head for days. Shirley's Diner is a throw back to the days of Diners, like Arnold's from Happy Days. It is a classic dinner with classic diner favorites, like burgers, tenderloins, chicken fried steak, hot beef and fish n chips. Besides the classic diner food Shirley's is interior takes you back and time. There is also some great memorabilia for your gazing pleasure. Best of all there is a jukebox with some great nastagia rock n roll.

I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich. Let me tell you this is the REAL DEAL. This isn't a cloned processed frozen patty passed off as chicken fried steak, this a real piece of tenderized round steak, breaded and fried to a perfect golden crisp brown and served on a toasted bun! They served it with your choice of sides.

This a great hang out for the whole family! It's got great food, great decor and great tunes.

Check it out! Tell Shirley Omaha Yum sent you!

Shirley's Diner
5325 South 139th Plaza
Omaha, NE 68137
(402) 896-6515