Fricano's® Pizza Stories and
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Excerpts from the Bob Talbert's Detroit section of the Detroit Free Press in the
mid-1960's. This is what the young Bob Talbert had to say in one of his articles
about his quest for the perfect pizza . . . . .
Somewhere In Its Infinite Variety There Must Be a Perfect Pizza
"I have spent well over three years looking for the best pizza
in Michigan. I hate to tell you about the heartburns I've had and the weight I've
gained. I have discovered some fascinating things about pizzas. Everyone I meet
has a "favorite" place. No two pizzas taste alike. There's no such
animal as the "best pizza," but there are some that are truly sensational.
I've sampled pizzas in some of the most out-of -the-way places and have
heard from fans of many parlors. Places like Gus Fricano's in Grand Haven . . . . .
Gus Fricano's place in Grand Haven, the first spot I mentioned, also has a vast loyal
following. One fellow who started his own search for the perfect pizza in 1948 picks
Fricano's®, which serves only pizza and some 2,000 of them a week in a community of only
10,000. Not bad."
An article from The Grand Haven Tribune, A Little Bit More section . . . . .
St. Fricano's
I thought perhaps your faithful readers might enjoy a bit of humor
to break up all the tragedy we must endure. This little essay is not meant to be
sacrilegious. It is merely a salute of recognition of an establishment that has been
a hallmark of distinction in our beloved Grand Haven.
I'm a retired advertising writer from St. Louis who having vacationed
here several years in a row decided Grand Haven is the place to be. My only criticism
is that we need to look at ourselves more with a sense of humor.
There's a restaurant in Grand Haven that is irrefutably unique by the
standards of worldly dining establishments. It's been here for decades and no one has
ever considered it to be a cult. Is it a cult or a religious conviction? What
is the answer to the unusual and supernatural magnetic power that lies behind the walls of
this extraordinary eatery? Members of the congregation assemble daily to attend the
services. Irrespective of weather conditions, they stand in line outside its dreary
unpainted gray walls, men, women, children, waiting to enter this hallowed hall. They
come from all walks of life, the walks now are covered with ice and snow. Inside St.
Fricano's parishioners sit at tables covered with ordinary red and white checkered
tablecloths praying for the server to provide them tasty morsels of a cuisine that's
uncontested by the competition. I found myself a helpless joiner of this mass
attraction. I do not intend to be sacrilegious but I found myself genuflecting before
sitting at the bar. In the open sacristy several elders prepare the feast sliding
delectable discs of appetizing pizzas smartly into super-heated ovens causing a delightful
oregano flavored aroma. I open my jacket in hopes the fragrance will stay with
me. There is no menu although years ago they listed a variety of savorful toppings on
a paper place-mat. They ran out and never replaced them. As my eyes scan the
faces amongst the flock in attendance, there is an air of complete bliss and
contentedness. Each piece of pizza placed before them brings unto them a feeling of
TOTAL PEACE. Paper plates are used in lieu of noisy dishes that would disturb the
peace. And when the server approaches each table with basket (cash only, no credit
cards or personal checks) the tithes are given with a marked absence of fuss.
I asked the bartender Douglas, a third generation Fricanoain, why there
is no drive-in facility for take-home members of the congregation? His reply told me
that St. Fricano's was a family oriented commisionary and everyone will benefit by coming
inside to a world of good fellowship, friends and neighbors, sip a libation and feel the
omnipotent spirit of mozzarella. I guess it's an old Italian custom.
What a blessing, my take-out order arrived. I again genuflected
and left carrying my package of goodness. A yellow beam of light hovered over the box
of pizza and I thought it was a superficial halo christening the contents. Later I found
out I left my pen light on.
Is St. Fricano's a cult or a commune or an unexplained metaphysical
miracle? My answer to this is from the lesson I was taught..."BLESSED ARE THE
CONSUMERS OF ST. FRICANO'S...BECAUSE THEY SHALL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF HEARTBURN!".
Harry Honig
Spring Lake
 
Fricano's Riverside Pizzeria had not been open very long
and they
were already getting fan mail.
Excerpts from The Grand Rapids Press on Feb. 8, 1996. This is what Ted
Roelof had to say in an article about Fricano's Riverside Pizzeria . . . . .
Cult Pizza
Any way you slice it, Fricano's knows the taste of success . . . . . Family does
it their way, and succeeds.
"Doug Fricano kept the pizza precisely the same as that served at the parent
Fricano's in Grand haven, a frumpy 90 year old boarding house in the city's factory
district that has all but achieved cult status among its devotees.
Patrons from Grand Rapids and beyond have made the pilgrimage there since 1951. They drive
there, endure long lines and the stuffy heat of the summer, sit at the alter of
red-and-white checkered table cloths, for one reason."
Frequently Asked
Questions
 Is
the pizza the same in Grand Rapids as it is in Grand Haven?
 Because the Grand Haven location has procured such a
high status for its thousands of faithful patrons, this question is Fricano's most popular. As Doug says "he is Grand Haven." If the pizza pies
were not the same the faithful followers would know and be the first to tell Doug there is
a difference. No one has yet to find even the slightest discrepancy in the locations.
They are truly one and the same pizza.
Is there only one size?
Yes. One size fits all. 12" thin crust.
It's easier to steer people as to how much pizza to buy when there is only one size to
choose from.
Why are there no onions available?
In staying with tradition, it was never
offered as an original item, plus our taste and flavor does not need any help from an
onion.
What is bird seed?
Bird seed is the shaken spice added to the
top of every pizza sold.
Is there other pizzas than just an EBA?
Yes. You can order any combination of toppings we offer. Some people think that an EBA
(everything but anchovies) is all we offer.
Do you ever cut your finger with the
scissors?
No. The scissors are safer than other ways
of slicing a pizza.
Can I have a knife?
Not available
What's the secret of why a Fricano's®
pizza is so good?
You need to have eaten a Fricano's® pizza to
fully answer that question, but reading all of our web pages will help.
Why aren't there more Fricano's®
pizzerias?
We're up to six locations now, but many
feel we should franchise nationwide. We are not interested in making lots of money, just
making the best pizza you've ever had.
What is a Fricano's® pizza?
See our pizza page.
Why do they always taste different?
It can or can't be said they do or don't
taste different from time to time. The pizzas play on everyone's senses to such a huge
degree that changes in mood for one person at different times can influence how they
perceive the taste of the pizza.
Do you deliver?
No. It is too risky and we were never
brought up delivering pizzas.
What if I don't want to eat it right now?
Most people can't wait to get home before
it's all gone, but if you need to put off eating it lock it in the trunk of your car.
What are the options?
See our home page.
What kind of pizza is this?
This is a true pizza pie the way pizza was
meant to be like back in the real old days.
Why aren't all pizzas like this?
Cause no one has our recipe but the
Fricano's®. We are just lucky to know how not to make them like everyone else does.
How hot are your ovens?
Hot. 650°F average.
How do you eat it?
Anyway you like, just enjoy every bite.
How thin is it?
It's never been measured, but it is thin
Do you have a thick crust pizza?
We make our own personal thick crust pizza
for the holidays. It is only available for private family consumption and not offered to
the general public. It too is very tasty.
Can you open a restaurant near my house?
It means a lot to people to be accessible to
a Fricano's®. People can't help but drive 30 miles or more for one. That's why our
customers would like to have one close to their homes to save on gas, money and time.
What kind of cheese is that?
You'll never know.
Is there always a line at the door on
Friday and Saturday?
Yes. Business is so brisk that people wait
in line to get in every Friday and Saturday of the year.
Can I get an uncooked pizza and cook it
at home?
No. See our home page
for the options available.
Why do you put the extra sauce on top of
the cheese?
Some people are just crazy about our sauce and want it on top as well as the bottom. It is good
that way.
Is there a discount for large orders?
No. Straight pricing the whole way around.
A Fricano's® double mushroom pizza.
More pizza pictures are on our pizza page.
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