Dave Reid

Pizza Man Coming to Downer Ave

All signs point to an East Side reemergence for the famed pizza place.

By - Nov 15th, 2012 01:46 pm

The original Pizza Man was destroyed by fire in January 2010 and ever since Milwaukeeans have wondered if, when, and where Pizza Man might return.  All signs point to Pizza Man returning to Milwaukee’s East Side.  Two separate items have come together that indicate Pizza Man will open in the former Jake’s Big Dog (and Lixx) space at 2597 N. Downer Ave.

On Facebook today, Mike Amidzich announced that Pizza Man has signed a letter of intent to lease an East Side location and reopen the landmark restaurant.  He states in the post that “The tentative new location will be less than a mile from the restaurant’s previous home on the corner of E. North and N. Oakland avenues.”  Additionally the announcement noted they were working with Rinka Chung Architecture, Inc. to design the renovation, and that it will include a second floor terrace.

Meanwhile, a special meeting was announced today of the Historic Preservation Commission to be held Monday the 19th. The only item on the agenda? A proposal by Rinka Chung Architecture and building owner Van Buren Management to rehabilitate and add a second floor terrace to the building at 2597 N. Downer Ave. Oddly, the filing didn’t mention a tenant.

Renderings & Photos

Categories: Real Estate

4 thoughts on “Pizza Man Coming to Downer Ave”

  1. Joe Dobrowits says:

    I hope that the atmosphere and food quality match my nostalgia for the place. I remember it fondly as the best pizza and the most intimate date place in the city. That’s a hard act to follow.

  2. jeff jordan says:

    No more had the ashes cooled and the investigation in to the causes begun when many of us around Downer lusted for this operation to resume in our retail district. I haven’t been this happy since VIA arrived. I wonder why they didn’t opt for roof top seating also

  3. Chris says:

    This could be a wonderful addition to a resurgent Downer Ave. Next on my street improvement wish list:
    – Bring the old Chancery space back to life
    – Open up the dreadful bricked corner of CVS
    – Redevelop the old Associated Bank space into a lively place anchoring the north end of the street

  4. CJ says:

    While I question the business sense of putting a higher end pizza place right near another (VIA), I’m glad Downer is getting some much needed attention. Like Chris said, would love to see the old bank space and the Chancery/Einstein spaces brought back also. I’m simply amazed the Chancery space has been vacant for so long.

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