Element Wood Fire Pizza — Restaurant in Minneapolis

PIZZA PATRIARCHY? It must’ve been my 6-foot stature or turquoise-colored coat that rendered me invisible. It was Tuesday, not a busy time, what with “10% off” spotlighted on the Element Pizza website.

At 4:51pm, an automated email pronounces my online order ready. I park (in one of the precious few spots), go inside to the counter, and stand behind a customer-couple bundled against Winter. They presumably are ordering. In the small space of maybe 15 feet square, a bartender and cashier stand on the counter’s other side. Other than us, there's a small group of four at a table in the far corner.

The male customer is busy with his phone, scrolling and scrolling, for something. A coupon? His horoscope? Who knows. After a while, the bartender flips the store’s cash register (i.e., iPad screen), turning it over to the customer in an attempt to assist. “Try this…” he says.

There’s more scrolling by the man, who seems to know the bartender, who pleasantly asks the lady customer which beer she might try. Enough time passes for both Lady and the cashier to make eye contact with me. The cashier says nothing. Lady taps her credit card on the counter. Her look suggests solidarity, as four of us are on scrolling cessation standby. Scroller Gent is a 30-something white guy with dreadlocks bunched in a ponytail, which may or may not be significant.

Meanwhile, behind the counter against the far wall, two young women prepare fresh dough and red sauce. In front of them nearer the counter, a guy in a puffy coat and worn Vikings stocking cap unpacks two or three tall stacks of plastic food containers. The space is so tight that he navigates around the counter staff. He appears to have some level of authority and isn't wearing latex gloves.

With still no scrolling end in sight, it is a pizza maker in back who acknowledges me for the first time. She looks my way, asking if I’m there to pick-up. “Yes.” I give her my name, she steps away from the dough to retrieve two boxes from a warming bag, and takes a couple steps forward to hand them to me.

Taking the boxes, I say, “Thanks for being the only one back there with any creativity.”

Well, that simple declaration gets the notice of Stocking Cap Stacking Man, who takes offense. Perhaps it's because I fail to compliment the straightness of his stacks. Perhaps Customer Service doesn’t kick in until 5 o’clock. Perhaps the shop’s union rules dictate he sticks to stacking, and nothing else. Perhaps he thinks I'm a Door Dash driver who should keep his mouth shut, even when being ignored. Perhaps it's because I have brown skin, and Stacking Man does not.

All of this is as inexplicable as the reason for the Dreadlock Gent's scrolling. But what is clear is that Stacking Man doesn't bother to say any of the following: “Sorry about the wait; we’ll be right with you.” “Oh, man, I didn’t see you 'cause I was so busy stacking plastic to serve future customers that I overlooked this current customer. My bad.” “Oh, no one acknowledged you? That isn’t normally how we do things. My apologies.” “Man, your comment about creativity felt like an unfair critique on my stacks. How could you say such a thing?”

Of course, there is none of that; and Stacking Man chooses to turn on the customer. (Yeah, the ol' Customer’s-the-Problem strategy. Dang customers, who needs ‘em anyway?) When that becomes the default response, voices rise, which brings out Big Chef from somewhere inside the tiny building. He, too, has no apology or ear or empathy to offer, and proceeds instead to blame (yes) the cashier. His buddy, Stacking Man, wants my name because I am "not welcome back." (As if the concept of welcome or hospitality is known to him.)

So there you have a Know-Your-Place Pizza Patriarchy, part of Element's menu on a Tuesday in February. Interestingly, the three male employees were white, late 20s to 50 year olds. I happen to be their elder, relatively speaking. It didn't matter. The cashier and pizza makers appeared to be young women of color. Thankfully, one of them was willing to step out and...

This little NE Minneapolis spot used to be a hidden gem that most people could simply drive by without noticing. The pizzas were consistently delicious, the staff was always friendly, and the whole experience would be positive.

What I found during my visit on 8/5/18 was that the cheese had changed, and definitely for the better. During past visits, the pizzas at Element always had a delicious and light form of mozzarella. There are many people in the Twin Cities who love Punch Pizza. The cheese was very similar at Element, but one could definitely argue that Element was often superior to Punch.

Yesterday's pizzas no longer had such a high quality mozzarella used in a light but consistent manner. What we were given yesterday had a thick layer of pre-shredded mozzarella that was truly similar to something you would expect from Pizza Hut. It was thick, almost gelatinous, and devoid of any real flavor. The basic margherita pizza was really nothing more than a substandard cheese pizza. Basil was in very tiny pieces and added nothing whatsoever to the flavor of the pizza. While the sauce and crust were still phenomenal, the awful cheese left me feeling that I had wasted my money.

I am hoping that this was just an anomaly, but I worry that Element has cut some corners to their production while not reducing the price at all. All three pizzas we ordered were simply caked in low-quality mozzarella. Though I am in the area regularly, this latest experience left me never wanting to...

Designated wheelchair ♿️ ramp & ♿️ 🅿️ spot in parking 🅿️ lot. Easier access via car for lot will be heading east on Broadway - from the River. if the 🅿️ lot is full simply keep heading east to next available right turn side street. Turn right. Turn Right. Turn right. Access to side street parking 🅿️ in 11th. And also the alternative 🛞 🚲 🏍️ 🅿️ bike lock ups. Also Main Street near Graco has plenty of free street 🅿️.especially on the weekends. All pizza eaters . All seasons. Ready quick. 5-10 minutes. Outdoor tables along the east side of restaurant. Perfect for kids and families. People in a stroll that want a no waste food option. The artichoke dip is the greatest snack ever for a stroll to boom island. Seriously fast pizza. Napoli style NordEast is my top favorite Pie. My teen is a fan of the pesto herb. Sit down inside. Or at counter. To Go. Stay and eat outdoors and tables or grab and go and leave no trace along the Mississippi River. Support the Locals whom feed us- I ❤️ The NordEast arts district. The parks the pizza the river the birds the libraries the mills and elevators. Local coffee shops and art on...