November 2011
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Bob’s PizzA keeps on rollin’ Dorothy Bliskey | Special to The Reporter When Bob Gerbing opened Bob’s Pizza in 1969, it was dream he had envisioned since his teenage years in the late 1950s when he delivered pizza for Ray Armstrong, owner of the Pizza Palace at 107 N. Main St.
wholesale pizza business, requiring a staff Hours for the business are 11 a.m. to closing of about a dozen to keep up with the work. daily.
said. “They grew up with my pizza. They also proclaim there’s no pizza like it.”
“Everything is done by hand — nothing by “There have been many nights I didn’t get machine,” Gerbing said. out of there until 11 or midnight, but I didn’t Through the wholesale business, mind,” he said. “I really love being with His purchase of the business from approximately 2,000 pizzas are made people, and that’s what I miss most now Armstrong in 1969 gave birth to Bob’s weekly for other nearby establishments, that I’m more or less retired.” Pizza in the same location. In 1975, Bob with all the major food stores in Fond du Lac In addition to pizza, the Bob’s Pizza menu moved Bob’s Pizza to 25 E. Merrill Ave., the carrying Bob’s Pizza. includes sandwiches and side orders — current location. “Our pizzas are for sale in about a 20-mile items like hamburgers, pizza burgers, bread The pizza recipe from Ray Armstrong’s sticks with cheese, Buffalo wings, and apple radius around Fond du Lac,” he said. Pizza Palace was passed on to Bob. sticks that can serve as dessert. On a retail basis, fresh, frozen and baked “We’ve deviated from it a little,” Gerbing pizzas can be picked up inside the shop. Pizzas can be ordered either with a thin or said. “We made it a little spicier.” Free delivery of baked pizza is available in thick crust or on French bread. Through the years, Gerbing’s wife, Dianne, Fond du Lac and North Fond du Lac. “We have a variety of toppings to create a and their five children, who now range in There is no inside eating area at Bob’s Pizza. deluxe pizza,” he said. “The thin crust is the age from 28 to 48, helped run Bob’s Pizza. “But there was in the beginning when we most popular.” Today, the couple still own the business but were located on Main Street,” Gerbing said. While he has a strong local clientele, Gerbing are easing into retirement as their son Joel says passion for his pizza has spread to other takes over the operation and their daughter “Our pizza delivery is popular year-round,” states and even farther. Jenny pitches in to help make it a success. he said. “In summer, people say it’s too hot to cook. In winter, they don’t want to go “People who have moved away and enjoyed Bob’s Pizza is a combination retail and outside to get the pizza.” our pizza while living here return for it,” he
He told of one customer who managed to take two unbaked pizzas to her mother in South America. “She took them on the plane with her,” said Gerbing, adding that the Bob’s Pizza recipe has remained steadfast through the years. “You would be surprised how many people take our pizzas out of state at Christmas time,” he said.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information, contact Bob’s pizza at (920) 922-6505 Below left, Andrew Eick adds cheese to pizzas he is making at Bob’s Pizza, 25 E. Merrill Ave., Fond du Lac. Below, center, Joel Gerbing, son of owner Bob Gerbing, works on a pizza. (Patrick Flood photos/The Reporter)
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