[Southsider2k12]

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/every-day-liv...s-best-pizzeria

The Search for America's Best Pizzeria

Our team scouted 64 pizzerias in 25 U.S. cities before slicing down the competition to the Sweet Sixteen.

Stop 50 Wood Fired Pizzeria
500 S. El Portlal, Michiana Shores, IN, 219-879-8777, stop50woodfiredpizzeria.com Margherita pizza $13, serves 1

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...01343407648.txt

The spotlight is on Stop 50 Wood Fired Pizzeria

Jane Daley
Published: Tuesday, March 2, 2010 7:15 PM CST
Jane Daley
Daley News

Chris Bardol loves the simplicity of authentic Naples-Style Italian cuisine. Several years ago, while on a trip to Phoenix, he dined at just such a restaurant. He fell in love with the food.

After some research, Chris found that there were only a dozen authentic restaurants in the United States, that served food as they do in Naples, from a wood fired hearth oven that reaches temperatures up to 900 degrees.

But that isn’t what makes the food authentic. It goes back to the simplicity of the ingredients, using “whatever is in reach” and not having extravagant recipes where the ingredients get lost. Rather, its food that you can taste every single ingredient. And it is all fresh.

This is the philosophy behind Stop 50 Wood Fired Pizzeria in Michigan City. Chris created this authentic style restaurant to share his passion for this cuisine with his guests.

If he isn’t using the herbs and spices he grows in his garden at the restaurant, he is having his supplies brought in daily from local suppliers ensuring that his ingredients are fresh.

Simplicity is also a factor in the interior of the restaurant, as the wood fired oven is exposed to the seated public, offering a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.

The community is responding positively to the restaurant. Beginning his fifth year of operation, not only has Chris received a great response of support from the local community, Stop 50 has gained regional recognition, and has been featured in many newspapers and publications.

Stop 50 Wood Fired Pizzeria has received recognition on several occasions in the last two years, including being ranked in the Top 8 for Neapolitan-Style Pizza by Chicago Magazine, and receiving two LTH Forum Neighborhood Restaurant Awards for the Chicago area, the first ever to be awarded to a restaurant outside of Illinois. Stop 50 has also been featured on ABC 7 Chicago’s “Hungry Hound,” and WNDU South Bend’s “Unique Eats.”

Chris sent me a message a few days ago to let me know that Stop 50 is in the March issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine. They are ranked in the top four in the Midwest and top 16 nationally.

The recognition that Stop 50 Wood Fired Pizzeria receives is due in part to owners Chris and Kristy Bardol’s passion to use the freshest ingredients and authentic preparation.

Several events are planned for the season including beer and wine tastings and more.

Chris adds that not only do patrons walk away with satisfying stories of the fine pizzas, salads, and home made gelato, they also have stories to add about the journey to the restaurant, which it is nestled in the quiet community of Michiana Shores. In the case of Stop 50 Pizzeria, simplicity is simply the best.

Stop 50 Wood Fired Pizzeria is located at 500 El Portal in Michigan City and can be reached at 879.8777 or (877) 478-6750.

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La Porte County CVB Community Relations Manager Jane Daley can be contacted at 872-5055 or jane@laportecountycvb.com or visit www.visitlaportecounty.com

[ChickenCityRoller]

Well I can't stand R. Ray but I'll concur with her. Stop 50 smokes all the other pizza places around here by a MILE.
There is a reason the Chicago Food Forum voted it as best pizza in Chicago and we aren't even in Chicago.