Pizza Palooza preview pleases palates

The showroom at Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram featured some unusual models Tuesday.

Instead of being packed with Pacificas, jammed with Rams, chock-full of Challengers, or crammed with Compasses, it was filled with tasty pizzas from a dozen local eateries, all of which will be competing in the upcoming 12th annual Pizza Palooza for the coveted Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards. The event will be held on Friday and Saturday at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania. Doors open at 5 p.m.

“This is a great week for Sylvania,” Mayor Craig Stough declared. “We have the Dana Open at Highland Meadows and Pizza Palooza going on at the same time. It’s events like these that draw people to town and make Sylvania a great place to live.”

The formidable list of culinary competitors this year includes Bambino’s, Half Time, Romeo’s, Mama Mary’s, Viking Pizzeria, Jet’s Pizza, J-Cups, Dandino’s, Bombay Kitchen, Hindsight Pizza, the V.I., and Mike’s Pizza.

One of the sentimental favorites in the pizza competition is J-Cup’s Pizza. The company has been in business more than 12 years. The unusual name is a funky spelling of the last name of the restaurant’s founder, Jim Jacobs, who died from cancer over a year ago. Now the Jim Jacobs Award is given to the local pizzeria that exemplifies good sportsmanship by helping other vendors with their displays and booths.

The current owner, Kaleb Tober, says that his secret weapon in the fierce competition is his specialty pizzas. One, called the Buffalo Buck, features cream cheese, hot sauce, and chicken. The restaurant is a big supporter of the Washington Local Schools and sells concessions at school events.

Another entrant that offers an unusual combination of flavors is Vikings Pizzeria, located in Lyons, Ohio. Owner Joshua Radel explains that the name of his pizzeria comes from that of the Evergreen School District’s athletic teams. He takes special pride in the restaurant’s pickle pizza and  chicken bacon ranch pizza.

“This is our third year at Pizza Palooza,” Mr. Radel said. “We got second place last year in two divisions. This year, we’re aiming for first.”

But Vikings will face stiff competition from Half Time Pizza, a restaurant located at Bancroft Street and King Road in Sylvania Township.

“Our pies have lots of cheese and lots of toppings,” said owner Rachel Snyder. “This is our third year at Pizza Palooza. Tasting will be believing for the judges.”

If experience is any indicator of pizza primacy, Mama Mary’s Pizza of Holland, is in the catbird seat.

“We’ve competed here every year since 2012,” said Frank Hornik, the general manager. “We’re going to make the best pizza in town. We choose the products that we want and only then do we discuss price with our suppliers. We cook and slice the sausage ourselves. Our ground beef has no extenders in it. And we use fresh pineapple.”

V.I. Pizza general manager Kim Schultz is convinced that the former Village Inn’s secret recipes and blends of spices will carry the day for her restaurant.

“Our sauces are made in-house and then we add our own blend of spices. All our toppings are fresh — and we even make our own Italian dressing,” she said.

Nick Knezevich of Jet’s Pizza boasts openly of his Detroit-style deep-dish pies.

“This is what we’re known for,” he said. The restaurant did very well in last year’s competition and hopes for a repeat.

Not all of the competitors believe that the key to pizza prominence lies in special ingredients or unique flavor combinations.

“A loving and caring attitude is what makes us special,” said Barb Files, the owner of Dandino’s on Lewis Avenue in Toledo. “That, and the ingredients we get from Sofo’s. We’ve been doing this event since 2018. We’ve won first place in the specialty and pepperoni competitions. And we won the Jim Jacobs award last year.”

Other competitors are banking on their experience as they go up against the rest of the field. Hellal Joseph, the owner of Bambino’s, has been in the business for 30 years and operates five locations in Toledo area. “We have a big extended menu, including burgers, tacos, and hot dogs,” he notes. “Our pizza is made from fresh dough. We have a great product and great customer service.”

The restaurant also features unusual menu items such as halal pepperoni and vegan pizzas.

But LeAnn Mockensturm, owner of Mike’s Pizza and More, thinks that generous quantities of sauce and toppings are the key to success.

“Mike was my late husband. He opened the restaurant back in 2017 on Angola and McCord. And we do use lots of sauce. Mike always said, ‘Don’t eat it while you’re driving.’”

If any of the judges has a sweet tooth, then Romeo’s Pizza may have an edge. The pizzeria has been in business for more than three years.

“Sweet sauce is what sets us apart,” said owner Calvin Courtock. “We’re the only ones in Toledo with that.”

The competition will surely be spicy. All who attend can vote for the favorite pizzas. Everyone is encouraged to come — and bring their homeslice.