Pizza Hall of Fame comes calling in Saukville

The Riverview Inn’s dining room in Saukville, where so many people have eaten pizza through the decades, is currently closed due to coronavirus concerns, but it’s now officially a shrine, the restaurant having been named this month to the national Pizza Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame was established by PMQ Pizza Magazine, an industry trade publication, in 2005 to honor “legendary pizzerias and the pizzaioli (people who make pizza) who have helped build America’s pizza culture,” according to its website.

To be admitted to the Hall of Fame, a pizzeria has to have been in business at least 50 years “and earned a reputation as landmark restaurants in their communities,” the website says. 

Members are profiled in PMQ Pizza Magazine.

“It’s just an honor,” owner Lisa Burich said. “I’m going to have some T-shirts made with our logo.

“I’m hoping it will bring a little business in from other areas,” she added, noting there are “pizza connoisseurs” who will travel great distances to visit Hall of Fame pizzerias.

The Riverview Inn, 3172 N. Riverside Dr., started out in the 1940s as a tavern established by Francis Roos, who, according to the restaurant’s website, built it to look like a house to not offend the neighbors.

After Roos closed the tavern in 1955,  Burich’s parents, Art and Darlene Wille, bought the building in 1963, with the family living upstairs above the restaurant.

The restaurant originally specialized in steak-and-potatoes fare but eventually became known for its pizza.

When Art died in 1996, daughter Cindy took over with her mother until Darlene died in 2002.

In 2016, Cindy retired from the restaurant, and Burich took over.

It’s ironic that the restaurant has been honored during one of the industry’s toughest periods, forcing Burich to serve only takeout or delivery food.

But she said she’s been surprised by the amount of business.

“Actually it’s been very good,” Burich said, noting that before the coronavirus outbreak she had never done deliveries.

“The numbers don’t justify doing it every night, so we’re just going to do it on Saturdays starting (this) week,” she said. 

Burich said that even if Gov. Tony Evers’ Safer at Home edict is relaxed to allow dine-in service, the social distancing restrictions probably wouldn’t change her current operations.

“I’m so small, I wouldn’t be able to open the restaurant. I only have six tables and 10 barstools. I would only be able to serve three tables at a time, unless it was for small family gatherings.”

Burich said she might be able to accommodate more people on the restaurant’s deck.

“It all depends on what they (state officials) do,” she said.

Burich said she has been able to keep her employees, although at reduced hours.

“My employees have been super,” she said. “Everybody’s working, so everybody is getting some hours. A few have been scared to come in to work, though.”

Burich is hopeful she can stay in business no matter what happens.

“My to-go business has always been healthy; going forward I hope it stays that way,” she said.

“It’s been better than I feared.”