Cranky Pat's Pizza — Restaurant in Neenah

You reviewers are ruthless! 🙄 I've got a story to tell you. Grab a slice, get a beer, get comfy. I was raised on three historic pizzas in Milwaukee: Ned's, Pete's King of Pizza, and Maria's. I heard of the legendary Cranky Pat's and decided today was the day. I work in a downtown Neenah office and my day ends at 330pm. I had an appointment at 5pm. I pulled into Pat's at about 345pm and walked through the door with some expectations that thankfully, were not met. I went up to the register expecting to order right there, watch the cooks spin some dough for a few minutes, pay for my pie, and be out the door. Well, reality showed up and told me to take a seat. The server that met me at the register was clashing with my vibe, but that was my fault... I walked in with expectations. It was awkward. So I was all, "Hey, whaddya got for a personal pan or by the slice?", like I'm at Domino's. He politely said, "We don't do that here. We have a 12 inch or the big slice 1/4 pizza, but that takes just as long as a regular pizza. I can seat you if you want to make an order." The place smelled amazing and people seemed to be enjoying their food... I wasn't going to argue with the man entrusted to deliver on the legend, so I took a seat. I decided on the Big Slice 1/4 pizza, Milwaukee style: cheese, sausage, mushroom, onion (and black olive, just because no one from Milwaukee was looking). As I was waiting for my big slice, I took it all in. Clean floors, clean tables, typical pizza place decor, nice clean salad bar, plenty of take-out traffic, and busy kitchen and waitstaff. I'm very perceptive and I could tell right away there were issues with the hired help because Big Boss Man (dude was the size of a sheet of plywood) came out of the back and had a pretty firm discussion with some apparent new hires and a manager of some sort. I didn't hear a word of it, but Big Boss Man's body language told the whole story. Later on, the oven master had a few firm words with the new hire as well. Again, body language told me all I needed to know, and what it said to me was that these owners, managers, and dedicated staff care deeply about their cuisine and customer experience... but the reality is that finding employees that care about anything in our present world is not easy. After I took in Reality Pizza Rescue Wisconsin Edition, I realized I had been waiting on my Big Slice for 35mins. I caught my waiter and asked him if it normally took more than 30mins for the big slice. He politely reminded me that it takes as long as a regular pizza, but that he would check on it for me. Within 5mins I had my pie and I was not disappointed. It was worth every minute that I waited for it and I let my waiter know it. It came piping hot. The toppings were loaded and flavorful. No salt needed. I could taste everything I asked for, even the (shhhhh) black olives. My only regret was that I didn't order a 36 inch take out. The crust was thin and crispy with good flavor and just a bit of random dark toastiness at the edge for that classic last-bite taste you come to expect from any well-reputed pizza place. As I enjoyed my pizza, I continued to observe the operations of Pat's. I couldn't find any fault anywhere. The oven master is at the mercy of a conveyor oven and the time for each pie to cook, and that oven was LOADED! Phone orders and patrons kept coming in. It takes time to make a good pie. Pat's is BUSY because they have an AWESOME pizza! There's only one oven, MAN! The wait staff wasn't standing around, everyone was busy. The back kitchen was hard at work as well, preparing the entrees. I was happy to tip my waiter 50%. My point is, cut these good people some slack. You love their pie but don't like the wait?... order half an hour earlier. Before you criticize them, dine-in and watch them work their butts off to make you the best pie in town! After you take the time to appreciate their best efforts to keep you coming back, you'll show a little more love, patience, and respect in return. Be...

While helping with a move Neenah-Manasha area 3 friends and I were looking for someplace to have pizza that was nearby when I searched Google maps Cranky Pat's Pizza was a short distance from our location so we headed there and we were glad we did. It is a funky looking building in a busy area. When we walked in it was moderately busy we went into the bar area as it was seat yourself so we grabbed a table near the bar yes a bar in a pizza joint you don't see that all the time but Cranky Pat's is more than just a pizza joint it's kind of a sports bar/restaurant/pizza joint as we found out. Our server who was also the bartender came right over and got our drink orders and brought menus she was friendly and quick and according to one of my companions knows how to mix a drink as when she returned with our order which was a Pepsi yes they serve Pepsi here makes me happy and a tap beer which they have a variety of a glass of red wine and a mixed drink. The mixed drink orderer said the drink was perfect. We ordered 2 12 inch thin crust pizza's both with pepperoni one with extra cheese and some cheesy garlic bread my companion wanted to try the soup and salad bar which you can add on to your pizza order for a small charge. Than we sat back and waited our cheesy garlic bread came out very quickly and it was excellent everyone agreed nice amount of garlic butter and good cheese and crunchy bread. My companion went to the soup and salad bar while we waited for our pizza's they returned with what they said was very good mushroom soup and very nice salad plate they said there was an excellent selection of items at the salad bar and the plate was full of them. The pizza's came out in about 15 or so minutes and they were perfect the thin crust was crunchy and the toppings were great pepperoni in every bite and the extra cheese pizza was perfect you could tell there was extra cheese but not so much so that it took away from the crunchy thin crust or the very good pepperoni. Our server made sure our drinks were topped off and we sat and enjoyed the food and the joint. It was a great lunch at a great place with great service and friendly people. If you are in the Neenah-Menasha area and want great pizza and a great time check out Cranky Pat's Pizza by the way they have other things to try on the menu that I heard are also good and will probably try at sometime but this thin crust pizza is first on the menu for me. Ate here again while doing some plant shopping in the area and we decided to try the buffet at lunch time it was excellent with plenty of fresh pizza's with various toppings being put out as they were eaten along with a good salad bar...

The Neenah location is the original and in my humble opinion the best. The pizza is delicious, there are always two kinds of soup and a salad bar and the staff is always friendly. The restaurant and bar also have week day specials. I will list the specials then give some tips and suggestions after. Monday, Dinner Buffet 5pm-8:pm All you can eat Pizza, Soup, and Salad. Tuesday, Buy a large and get a medium one topping pizza for FREE. Wednesday, Kids Night Kids eat free with purchase of an adult meal. Thursday, Buy One Get One Appetizer Night. Fri & Sat, Late Night Buffet 10p-12a All you can eat. All specials are Dine-In Only. Bar Soecials Sunday, Bloody Mary’s & Screwdrivers for $3.00 Monday, Domestic Mugs for $1.00. Tuesday, Pub Trivia 8pm-10pm Rail Mixers for $2.00. Wednesday, America’s Pub Quiz Trivia 7:30pm Domestic Pitchers for $5.50, Premium Pitchers for $9. Thursday, Double Bubble from 7:00-10:00pm. Fri & Sat, Late Night Buffet 10p-12a All you can eat. Tips: The garlic bread with cheese is the best. And they do not skimp on the cheese. Yum! And the chippers are good as well. Onions are always a free topping. So with the free one topping pizza on Tuesdays special you can add onions with another topping and it is still free. So if you like onions it is a deal. Mobility tip: the front room has all low tables and chairs and shuffling chairs around is not a problem. The back room which is also part of the bar has the taller chairs and tables and bench seats that are elevated on platforms. So if you have trouble with tall chairs or in a wheelchair the front room is...