Peppino’s Pizzeria & Sports Grille – Downtown
130 Ionia Avenue SWAnother one of those nights I wasn’t planning on getting dinner, but I was parked out in front of a pizza place that I’ve been wanting to get to for quite a while.
After finishing up my business downtown, I pulled open the web browser on my phone. I have actually had Peppino’s Pizza before, but it was always delivered to work. I had never been in the building or really even looked at their menu.
Peppino’s Pizza has several locations in the Grand Rapids area. The downtown location is in the Arena District at the corner of Ionia and Cherry. I didn’t know this ahead of time, but there’s actually a carry out entrance on the Cherry Street side of the building. I walked in to the main entrance off of Ionia Avenue and found a large hostess area. The hostess led me out a side door and pointed down to the carry out area after promising me she wasn’t kicking me out.
About twenty minutes before getting there, I had called in an order for a 14″ pepperoni and bacon pizza. I was told it would be about ten minutes so I was a little surprised when I got there and it wasn’t done yet. The guy working the take out area was in the process of taking a $100+ order and he didn’t acknowledge I was even standing there for several minutes.
After finishing up the order, he turned to me and asked for my name. He went to check on my pizza, but it wasn’t quite done yet. I paid the $12 bill and then stood in the corner to wait. There is no seating and barely any room to stand without being in the way.
I waited about another five minutes before my pizza was brought out to me making the total wait about 25 minutes from the time I called it in.
In the past, all I had ever eaten from Peppino’s was their Traditional crust pizza. It seems that’s all my co-workers ever order. I noticed a thin crust option on the menu so that’s what I ordered. Good call.
The super thin 14″ pizza had a beautiful golden brown cheese layer and a crispy through most of it crust. There was a lot of bacon on each slice which, to me, is the prefect accompaniment to crispy, almost burnt but not quite, pepperoni.
I really liked this pizza. As is well documented, I’m not a huge fan of the “traditional” crust most pizzerias use and I love it when I find a thin crust on the menu as an option. I think the thin crust from Peppino’s blows the traditional crust out of the water.
14″ Thin Crust Bacon and Pepperoni Pizza
14″ Thin Crust Bacon and Pepperoni Pizza
SW Michigan Dining 
I just discovered your blog. Sorry I didn’t know about it when you still lived in Lansing. I live in Chicago but visit in-laws and friends in Lansing. Our taste appear to be in sync. Whatever your professional fortunes (or misfortunes) you appear to have an enviable relationship and era discerning pallet. Keep promoting quality dinning in Michigan.