March | 2011 | Yinz Hungry?

Alright, before I get started I need to say that if I do another food challenge somebody needs to step in and stop me! Last year I did the “Irish Challenge” and that did some damage, but its the ones that you think will be simple that destroy you!

ENTER BOCKTOWN!

Some friends and I went to bocktown because we checked out their menu a while back and really wanted to see what the place was like. The menu is ridiculous and I recommend you follow the link below and check it out. If you can’t find something on the menu here that you like, then you just don’t like food. As we walked towards Bocktown we noticed a sign called the “Beer Belly Challenge”. The Beer Belly Challenge consists of 2lbs of fries, 3 toppings and 30 minutes (timed) to finish (thanks to Bocktown for reminding me of the details). So I figured, that doesn’t sound so tough… I swear I am still feeling the effects of that challenge… I got fries with Beer Cheese, Bacon & Sausage. I did a decent job to start but about half way through each bite just didn’t have flavor any more because all I could taste was salt. I had a beer but couldn’t even drink that I just had to wash each bite with water. Let me say that the toppings and the fries were delicious, each by themself and together, but after nonstop eating of these they just began to overload my taste buds. In the end, I finished with time remaining, I think it was like 2 or 3 minutes, and I got my free t-shirt!

Well that night I also ordered a Hot Sausage Meatball Sandwich, figuring the beer belly challenge wouldn’t harm me, I was wrong. The sandwich is listed as- Our spicy hot sausage meatballs made with Ricci’s sausage simmered in a robust tomato sauce, served on a toasted roll with Monterey jack cheese. Now the sandwich sounds tasty, and could’ve been, but after eating all of those fries there is no way I would be able to answer if it was or not.

I look forward to another trip to Bocktown, one that will not involve a beer belly challenge, so I can try a few other items on the menu that have caught my eye!

Have you been to Bocktown? Let me know what you like so I can try it the next time I go!

Location
690 Chauvet Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
(412) 788-2333
Web- http://www.bocktown.com/
Twitter- http://twitter.com/bocktown
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/bocktown

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My buddy JJ has been wanting to do some pizza challenges since last March when I did the March Madness Tournament on here. So recently we picked a night and did 2 legendary Sq Hill Pizza Shops: Mineo’s vs. Aiello’s! I think it’s pretty tough to live in or around Pittsburgh without knowing either of these places, and to have never had is just a shame! I have had Mineo’s for years, but couldn’t ever remember trying Aiello’s and generally people prefer one or the other.

Mineo’s: Sausage, Pepperoni & Mushroom Pizza- As far as I can remember I can’t get a Mineo’s pie without Sausage because I think they have the best around and what else makes a mineo’s pie? THE CHEESE! So much cheese! It’s 10am and I’m drooling just thinking about how delicious it is! The only problem I ever have with a Mineo’s pie is that because of the cheese and toppings the crust can fall apart easily, its more of a knife and fork pizza. The crust is always crispy around the edges at the end.

vs.

Aiello’s: T-REX Pepperoni, Sausage, Ham, Bacon, Capicolla and Provolone Cheese – The crust was the first thing I noticed on this pie, because it was similar to Mineo’s in taste and texture but Aiello’s I noticed stayed a little more firm underneath the toppings so it was easier to eat as a slice. The toppings were great, I’ve never ordered a combination like that before so it was unique and wasn’t overpowering at all either.

WINNER – Mineo’s Pizza. Aiello’s was a great pie, and wouldn’t turn another one down from them, but if I have my choice I will order Mineo’s again and again. JJ, Vic & myself all agreed Mineo’s was the winner. Mineo’s had the better toppings (the CHEESE man, THE CHEESE!) that just made the pizza quality better.

So now it’s your turn, go out and try both Mineo’s & Aiello’s and let us know what you thought and who you think the winner is…

Also, let me know if there are any other pizza shops that should get used in future Pizza Challenges!

Mineo’s Pizza Sq. Hill
2128 Murray Avenue # 1
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone- (412) 521-2053
Web- http://www.mineospizza.com/