New Fairview Heights restaurant brings it all, including the “Kitchen Sink”
Since first reporting in May that Pappo’s Pizzeria & Pub was coming to Fairview Heights, I’ve been following the business’ Facebook page for updates.
According to the Pappo’s Pizzeria Fairview Hts, IL Facebook page, plans are to spend the week of Oct. 4 training staff and to open on Monday, Oct. 11.
I’m glad to report that I’ve confirmed this with franchise owner Richard Galloway.
Galloway said he’s confident that he will be ready to open the doors Monday.
Galloway spent months on the renovations and waiting for supplies and equipment to be delivered. A final inspection and clean-up remain on the to-do list.
Despite the rush to prepare for Monday’s opening, Galloway was kind enough to let me come in for a visit on Friday to see the place and take some photos. I think anyone who remembers Houlihan’s and the short-lived TBD Bar + Social will appreciate the work that’s gone into Pappo’s.
Pappo’s Facebook page kept followers up-to-date by posting occasional progress photos throughout the summer, giving the public a sneak peek of the new pizza place.
But those pics were just the tip of the mozzarella-covered iceberg.
The bar has a row of beer taps made from copper pipes. Above the taps are hand-drawn boards that make up the beer menu. Galloway said they were done by an art student from McKendree University. There’s a smaller beverage station at the other end of the restaurant.
There is plenty of seating available throughout the dining room. There are regular tables, bar tables and seats at the bar itself.
Retractable walls along the front of the building have become more common in the last year. There’s patio seating to enjoy any remaining days of warm weather we may see before next year.
As for the menu, it’s filled with a wide selection of everything.
Appetizers include toasted ravioli, butter garlic shrimp and breaded eggplant. There are fresh salads and sandwiches, calzones, pizza bowls and oven baked pastas and cookies for dessert.
There are more than 30 speciality pizzas listed on the menu, and yes, that includes Pappo’s “Kitchen Sink,” a pizza with red sauce, mozzarella cheese, green peppers, onions, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage, ground chuck, mushrooms, bacon, black olives, fresh sliced tomatoes and extra cheese.
Part of the appeal of Pappo’s for Galloway, who’s been in the pizza restaurant business for 32 years, is that it is “a melting pot of everything,” in regards to staffing.
“We like that,” said Galloway.
Anyone interested in applying for a position at the new Fairview Heights location can apply online.
Pappo’s Pizzeria & Pub opened its first location in Springfield, Missouri, in 2012. According to the Pappo’s website, the business was “birthed from a desire to create a place where fresh and real food is prepared from scratch.”
Pappo’s Pizzeria & Pub is located at 15 Ludwig Drive in Fairview Heights. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. For more information, visit pappospizzeria.com or facebook.com/PapposFHts.
