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Deluca's Restaurant
In 1960, Italian immigrants Pat DeLuca and his brother-in-law Jim opened the Willow Bar, a neighborhood bar for nearby factory workers, in Lansing, Michigan, but the pizza they served became so popular the business eventually switched its name to DeLucas's Restaurant and Pizzeria.
When Jim retired in 1977, the transition to family eatery was already under way as word spread about the pies, which featured hearty sauce, a medium-thick crust, and generous amounts of cheese and toppings. "When they opened the business, ethnic foods were just starting to be popular, and pizza was only a part of what they offered," says John DeLuca, the son of Pat, whom owns the pizzeria with his brothers, Chuck and Tom. "But years of perseverance and a dedication to the consistency of the food worked well."
Eventually, the family would introduce several pizza innovations to Lansing, in the size (the 18" pie), toppings (spinach pizza and tuna pizza) and varieties (including stuffed crust and deep dish). Today, the kitchen is five times its original size to keep up with customer demand.
Accordingly, DeLuca's has won a slew of awards and recognitions over the years; John claims that the family has lost count of how many consecutive years now the pizzeria has garnered awards as the best of Lansing.
John credits the success to determination from the entir family: Pat's wife, Helen, pitched in to develop the specialty salad dressings (and still occasionally helps out, at 92 years old); Aunt Louise worked until she was 93, priding herself on the chocolate cake and homemade Italian specialties such as manicotti and lasagna; Pat's daughter Sue works behind the counter, greeting and serving customers; and numerous grandchildren have pitched in to help over the years.
"We began working as children and have stayed with the business - we joke that pizza sauce, not blood, runs through our veins," says John. "We've learned that hands-on management is important, and we never forget to appreciate our customers." - Tracy Morin
Address
- 2006 West Willow Street
- Lansing
- (517) 487-6087
- http://www.delucaspizza.com/
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Comments (3)
All the recipeos of pizza need yeast or bnkaig powder for the rising action of the dough. However, you can substitute for bnkaig powder by the following method:For each 1 teaspoon bnkaig powder called for in a recipe, use:1/4 teaspoon bnkaig soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; or youmay use 1/4 teaspoon bnkaig soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk, sour cream.PIZZA CRUST CRUST:1 c. warm water1 pkg. yeast1/2 tsp. sugar3 c. flour1/2 tsp. saltGarlic powder or saltPIZZA SAUCE:1 (8 oz.) tomato sauce1/2 tsp. basil1/2 tsp. oreganoCombine warm water, yeast and sugar. Let stand 10 minutes. Add salt and approximately 3 cups flour. Mix and knead together. Grease bowl and let dough rise for 30 minutes.SAUCE: Combine tomato sauce, basil and oregano. Sprinkle crust with garlic powder or garlic salt. Add sauce, other pizza ingredients and cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then broil until desired color.mar
All the recipeos of pizza need yeast or bnkaig powder for the rising action of the dough. However, you can substitute for bnkaig powder by the following method:For each 1 teaspoon bnkaig powder called for in a recipe, use:1/4 teaspoon bnkaig soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; or youmay use 1/4 teaspoon bnkaig soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk, sour cream.PIZZA CRUST CRUST:1 c. warm water1 pkg. yeast1/2 tsp. sugar3 c. flour1/2 tsp. saltGarlic powder or saltPIZZA SAUCE:1 (8 oz.) tomato sauce1/2 tsp. basil1/2 tsp. oreganoCombine warm water, yeast and sugar. Let stand 10 minutes. Add salt and approximately 3 cups flour. Mix and knead together. Grease bowl and let dough rise for 30 minutes.SAUCE: Combine tomato sauce, basil and oregano. Sprinkle crust with garlic powder or garlic salt. Add sauce, other pizza ingredients and cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then broil until desired color.mar
All the recipeos of pizza need yeast or bnkaig powder for the rising action of the dough. However, you can substitute for bnkaig powder by the following method:For each 1 teaspoon bnkaig powder called for in a recipe, use:1/4 teaspoon bnkaig soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; or youmay use 1/4 teaspoon bnkaig soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk, sour cream.PIZZA CRUST CRUST:1 c. warm water1 pkg. yeast1/2 tsp. sugar3 c. flour1/2 tsp. saltGarlic powder or saltPIZZA SAUCE:1 (8 oz.) tomato sauce1/2 tsp. basil1/2 tsp. oreganoCombine warm water, yeast and sugar. Let stand 10 minutes. Add salt and approximately 3 cups flour. Mix and knead together. Grease bowl and let dough rise for 30 minutes.SAUCE: Combine tomato sauce, basil and oregano. Sprinkle crust with garlic powder or garlic salt. Add sauce, other pizza ingredients and cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then broil until desired color.mar