We have been past this place over one million times.For some reason we have not been there. Whether it be word of mouth. Too expensive whatever.
That changed today. Good ole rum frontloading.
Crust.
I had to visit the men's room. Pretty clean although tucked in behind the kitchen.
We ordered some cheese nuggets. They tasted like funnel cake batter. I didn't like them much although we did eat them all.
The star of the show. The pizza. I'll tell you what. Crust Pizza has a Chicago Style Tavern crust that is lights out!
Sheri and I finally found a pizza crust in the QC we both love and I'm not lying.
So this pizza is goddang awesome! Everything about it was great. The sausage nice and chunky.Veggies were fresh. The sauce good. The star of the show was the crust. I'd put this crust up against my personal favorite of Zoey's in Marion. That's how great this pizza was.
It's been awhile since we have really done a pizza update. So many places and joints to visit. I must say that Crust Pizza (while a wee spendy) is top notch!
The wife and I both agree Crust is worth your pizza dollars. Go there!
So the wife and I are on year 13 of our journey together. Happy anniversary to my better half. She usually is the designated driver to our pizza blog shenanigans.
Normally our blog posts are from the usual pizza joints and whatever bar or restaurant that catches our eye. But as has become our tradition we class it up a wee bit for our day.
Seems that we visit Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. I'd go a lot more but the checkbook doth protest.
For those of you that haven't been to Johnny's. It's meant to evoke memories of the Rat Pack era of Frank,Dean,Sammy,Joey and Peter. I'd throw in a few molls like Angie Dickinson and Marylin Monroe too.
Swinging music. Big booths. Dark and private. Manhattans with a cherry. Shrimp and kiddy cocktails. Linguine and clams et al. Las Vegas.
A little musical interlude to get in the Johnnies vibe. Enjoy the tunes.
So. Johnny's is in downtown Moline Illinois. Those that know the Quad Cities knows there is major construction going on. The new I-74 bridge is being built as I type and makes travel over the river somewhat less than ideal.
But when done I think getting over there will be a breeze. I mean what does a billion dollar bridge get you? Quick and easy.
Johnny's is located in The John Deere Pavilion so one can always look at tractors too.
So this is our 13 year anniversary. I couldn't do this blog without my lovely wife. Cheers to you Sheri. You make my world taste better!
Over the river
If I'm honest. Downtown Moline is gonna be a mess for a few years while this bridge is being built. It just will.
The Batmobile.
Johnny's proper.
Let me just say right up front. I did front load rather heavy before hand. So first business is the bathroom.
Pretty clean,but rather small. One stall and stand up.
The bar area.
Shall we move on to the reason I spent 2 or 3 pizza joint visits into one trip to Johnny's?
I go here for the steak. I have never ever been let down. My usual is the 10 oz filet. The wife and kid vary their choices.
That said we all agree on the dubergo sauce. It is mouth watering goodness..
The salad entree. It's okay for a start. I usually pass up on the bread.
The steak. I am a medium rare. The wife and kid are more towards the well done range of steak.
My filet was perfect. Sher and Moll said their sirloin was what they wanted.
So how would we give Johnny's a point? I give it a solid 9 steak wise. Sher and Moll order their steak outside of what I consider steak. They like steak really cooked. I don't.
As I said before. This visit to Johnny's is more of a tradition for my family and really doesn't reflect a QC Pizza Blog score. We go there for us. Although do go to Johnny's. The steak is delicious!
Some outdoor pics too!
The holidays are coming fast my friends. It so happens our anniversary comes along at this time of year.
There will be a few more Quad City Pizza Blog updates until the end of the year.
From my family to you faithful readers. We do this for the love of pizza and food!
Broken bones,a wedding and slowly creeping apathy made us decide to give this blog a break. We weren't burned out on pizza so much as we just didn't want to document every time we went out. Truth be told we haven't done any pizza for a few months.
I know. I know what your thinking.
Be that as it may,this blog isn't dead. Haha! It's my favorite time of the year. Halloween. Although the weather has been more like monsoon season.
What better way to come back with some fun Halloween themed food?
I think we did it up right tonite.
Cocktail time with Pinky Tuscadero.
A little interlude.
Okay. On with the fun. I was looking for something to do to get back in the blogging mood. I think we did good,
Those that know me,know I love Halloween. I do to.
Looking around the QC for something different I came across this place.
So we got to see one of my fave guitarist's last night. Chris Duarte as usual played lights out!
Like last year we ventured over to the greater LaSalle/Peru Illinois area to visit with friends,see Chris and eat some outstanding BBQ. I'm sure I've said before that BBQ is not really one of my faves,but.
Our visit to see Chris and eat Q was at Haze Smokehouse. And of course to reconnect with Ron and Gail too.
Had a chance to grab Lee for a pic. Lee and his wife run a tight ship at Haze so go there.
Our good friend Gail,the wife and I before we started melting from the heat. And lord there wasn't much of a breeze on the patio last night. Wish I could have grabbed a pic with Ron.
So Chris shows up and starts his warming up.
5 o'clock,right?
Let's get to the meat of it,shall we? I'm not sure what everyone at the table ordered. I do know some bacon was passed around.
The wife ordered a pulled pork sandwich. I grabbed some and Haze's pulled pork is off the hook!
As for myself. I've been waiting almost a full year to get Haze's smoked chicken wings. I doubled down and ordered the twelve pack this year. I love chicken wings and let me tell you. Smoked chicken wings are why we put up with this thing called life. It's a party goin on in my mouth! I could make those bad boys a regular habit if I lived any closer.
I dunked the wings in this sauce.
The end.
So I had had a few rum and cokes before we got there. After we ate I seriously started to sweat. And it was a warm one and still is. I'm melting!
Time for some Blues!
Chris's drummer. Mike Peters. I can say they had a fill in bass player but that guy played pretty damn good for never playing with Chris.
After dark when fun things happen. And the bugs come out.
Things got a little Hazy.
A few final thoughts and ramblings.
First off. I love blues music(ask my wife). To get to see Chris Duarte up close and personal like this is what makes me get up in the morning. I did not stalk him like last year,but sooner or later I'll get another pic and have a quick chat with him. He doesn't bite and seems to genuinely enjoy talking to and being around his fans.
Go buy his music.
Second. Haze Smokehouse has great BBQ. The smoked wings are divine. I do know a lot of Cheese Pizza fans too. Strangely enough I have never seen that band,but Lee took the time to snap a pic with me.
Go there and eat.
Third. The Illinois River Valley has a lot of bucket list places that I want to visit. Pizza places.Fried chicken seems to be the thing. All in good time my friends. My checkbook ain't that large. But hey listening to good music,eating good food makes this blog worth doing.
Fourth and certainly not last. It was good to see our friends Ron and Gail last night.
And Sher and I had an awesome time last night. It was nice to adult and I actually behaved myself if you can believe that!
