What Does It Take to Run a Thriving Pizzeria in a Tiny Space?
Today, we’re getting an inside look at Gio’s process, from maximizing efficiency in a 250-square-foot kitchen to perfecting a single dough recipe for multiple styles, Gio shares what it takes to run a high-quality pizzeria in a limited space. We dive into the art of consistency, the challenges of high-volume service, and the magic of simple, high-quality ingredients and how he keeps customers coming back for more.
(00:14 - 01:26) The Pizza-Making Process – How Gio preps his dough, par-bakes crusts, and finishes pizzas to order.
(01:26 - 02:13) Why Cheese Goes First – The reason behind layering cheese before sauce and how it affects texture and flavor.
(02:13 - 05:05) Chicago’s Favorite Toppings – Why Italian sausage and giardiniera are staples and what makes them special.
(05:05 - 06:50) Running a One-Temperature Oven – The challenge of maintaining a single oven temperature for different pizza styles and why it works for their setup.
(06:50 - 07:27) Making the Most of Dough – How they repurpose dough for multiple menu items like garlic knots while keeping it fresh.
(07:27 - 08:23) Operating in 250 Square Feet – How Gio and his team optimize every inch of their small kitchen.
(08:23 - 10:30) Handling 60-70 Minute Wait Times – The realities of running a busy pizzeria and keeping customers happy.
(10:30 - 12:07) Why Consistency is Key – Ensuring every pizza looks and tastes the same, no matter who makes it.
(12:07 - 14:22) Fresh vs. Frozen Ingredients – The debate over fresh spinach vs. frozen and why they go the extra mile for quality.
(14:22 - 16:00) Partnering with Ooni – How Gio’s connection with Ooni has influenced his approach to pizza-making.
(16:00 - 18:00) Finishing Touches – The small details that make a pizza stand out, from the right cheese blend to the perfect bake.
Check out Pizza Di Farfalla here:
https://www.instagram.com/pizzadifarfalla/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/PizzaDiFarfalla/
https://linktr.ee/PizzaDiFarfalla
Thank you to our show sponsors:
Corto Olive Oil:
https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1808352&u=2800064&m=112748&urllink=&afftrack=
Ooni Pizza:
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=77074&awinaffid=1800006&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ooni.com
Bacio Cheese:
https://www.instagram.com/whatsgooddough/
email me: eidref@whatsgooddough.com
Topics:
pizza making, Chicago-style pizza, pizzeria operations, small kitchen efficiency, running a pizzeria, pizza dough techniques, par-baked crust, pizza toppings, giardiniera, Italian sausage pizza, best pizza ingredients, Ooni pizza ovens, pizza business tips, restaurant management, high-volume pizzeria, pizza prep workflow, dough fermentation, pizza baking techniques, food consistency, pizzeria equipment, pizza sauce recipe, cheese layering technique, garlic knots, fresh vs frozen ingredients, pizza industry insights, pizza shop success, local pizzeria marketing, pizza restaurant strategy
Highlights: