St. Joe's Café — Restaurant in Hillsdale

This place is very different from any other restaurants in this area. Their lunch menu only offers Detroit style pizza with very few topping options. My husband and I had the pepperoni and sausage pizza and they tasted amazing, but I’m definitely that person that loves pineapple on my pizza and would love to try it again with pineapple on it. I understand this is more upscale and authentic Italian than we’re used to around here, but some people just can’t understand it and I know I’ve heard complaints regarding their lack of options.

I haven’t been here in the evening yet, but apparently it’s way different than lunch time.

They change their salads daily and they’re definitely mediocre at best compared to their pizza. When I went they told me the salad was a kale Caesar salad and when I got it, there was nothing Caesar or kale about it lol.

They sell very few drinks at lunch. A few beers, coffee, coke, maybe 1 or 2 other pops and an Italian made pop. I tried it and it was really good and made with all natural ingredients you’d expect to see in a blood orange pop.

It seems like you can get takeout maybe if you come inside and order. Maybe not? I saw someone get handed a pizza box that was up by the counter, but I couldn’t find a phone number on their website to call in an order, but that was back when they first opened so maybe it’s changed.

Definitely tasty and definitely worth trying! Just don’t expect the typical pizza joint atmosphere and menus.

Side observations. They didn’t have anywhere to hang a purse inside their bathrooms when I was there. Maybe they’ve added some hooks since then. If you are in a wheelchair, you might have difficulty moving around inside the bathroom, but folks with babies, they have changing tables!

The restaurant was overall clean, but the stairs down to the kitchen were super dirty and definitely needed attention.

Our favorite thing about this experience was how we didn’t feel absolutely awful after eating. They make their pizza dough out of flour, salt, and water. No unnecessary ingredients and it’s fresh!

We will definitely come back to try their evening menu and baked good! I recommend everyone in the area to try it out just for a...

I thought another pizza place was the last thing Hillsdale needed...I WAS WRONG. This isn't a "pizza place" - this is a real food restaurant. The food here is truly delicious and FRESH. Salad greens from local farms (so light and perfect that the taste of the quality oil and vinegar came through on the salad), real and fresh mozzarella, housemade crust. I normally skip the crust at the end of a piece of pizza (because it's just not that good) - but I would eat St. Joe's pizza crust by itself! The menu is simple which allows them to provide excellence in every option. We tried the salad, the margherita and the prosciutto & arugula pizzas, the cannoli (housemade filling!), and the chocolate torte. Everything was just delicious and paired so well with the house red wine. The service was friendly and (thankfully) not overbearing (our server didn't visit our table more than necessary). The atmosphere was welcoming and classy: good lighting and great dinner music that wasn't too loud. And it's fun to see the wood burning pizza oven. :) We took our children and it was very family friendly, but without being chaotic or tacky. We can't wait to go back for a date and to try the entire menu. I'm so happy to have this kind of quality dining in Hillsdale. I wish I could write a love song...

This family-run pizzeria is an absolute gem! They specialize in traditional Italian-style pizzas, and it’s clear they have a passion for their craft.

Lunchtime: Perfect for a quick bite, they offer pizza by the slice, served from a rectangular pan, along with fresh salads. Great for dine-in or takeout!

Dinner: The wood-fired pizzas served in the evening are a must-try. These authentic, round-style pizzas are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and truly capture the flavors of Italy.

Bonus Treats: As a skilled baker, the owner also offers amazing pastries like croissants, danishes, and pain au chocolat. Their organic sourdough bread is a highlight—be sure to get there early or sign up for their subscription service!

Atmosphere: The beautifully restored building is charming, with vintage touches like black-and-white tile and marble that make it feel like a step back in time. Whether you’re dining as a couple, with family, or hosting a larger group, the space is versatile and welcoming.

Don’t forget to ask the owners about the story behind their wood-fired oven and how they started this wonderful pizzeria in Hillsdale, MI. Highly recommend checking it out—you won’t be...