Spend Locally: Pizza House
Pizza is in the house. Plus, lots of other things.
Since 2001, Pizza House has offered East Lansing residents a taste of Chicago through their premier Chicago-style pizza. Deep dish, stuffed, or Sicilian offer diners with a yen for cheese, sauce, and meat and veggie toppings a delicious way to satisfy their cravings—particularly on a game day.
General Manger Jeremy Bates has been with the small chain of family-owned restaurants since the advent of the new millennium. Bates helped open the doors to the 400-plus seat operation in 2001 when the Tice family brought their enormous menu and restauranteur talents to Spartan country.
“We have something for everyone,” said Bates. “We always felt we would be a great fit with the culture and local clientele of East Lansing. We do a great deal of volume related to students, game days, and post sporting events, and a lot of our customers come from the East Lansing, Haslett and Okemos, too.”
Bates said the extensive menu is inspired by customer suggestions. While pizza tops the list, subs, deli sandwiches, and pasta dishes are equal runners-up. Burgers, chicken sandwiches, and entrees featuring shrimp, fish and wings are also favorites on the deep take-out menu. Sweet stuff like malts, shakes, ice creams and giant slices of cakes round out the roster. Cocktails, craft beers, and growlers are also available for takeout.
Perhaps the best kept Pizza House secret is the chipati. Hailed as a “cult classic,” the chipati consists of warm, thick homemade pita stuffed with salad greens and fresh cut veggies. Chicken, turkey, or feta can be added to any of the half-dozen variations on the chipati theme.
“We have one regular customer who has been ordering a chipati once a week for the past 16 or 17 years,” Bates said.
Despite the limitations on dine-in service with the pandemic, Pizza House “regulars” continue to call in for carry out.
“We have a group of four people who have always reserved the same high top in the middle of the bar for years,” he said. “Now they come in for pick-up and we’re still happy to take care of them. We’re looking forward to the day when we can welcome everyone back in person.”
The Pizza House will be expanding its menu and hours to offer breakfast in the near future. For now, customers can order lunch or dinner by phone or online for pick-up at 4790 S. Hagadorn Road, Suite 114-116, in the Hannah Plaza. Delivery is also available. Hours are 10:30 to 4 a.m. daily. Call 517-336-0033 or visit their website.
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