Jockamo's Pizza

Potato Skin Pizza

Let me start this review by saying that I normally love Jockamo's Pizza.  For those of you who have been to Bazbeaux's, it's very similar (the owner of Jockamo's used to be affiliated with Bazbeaux)--they both have a pretty sturdy, almost crackery crust and tend to be loaded with toppings.  I'd venture to say that toppings are where it's at with this style of pizza (Some Guys also leans this way), and  the crust is just there for support.  While I go to places like Brozinni for the awesome, chewy, flavorful crust, I go to Jockamo's for the excellent topping combos.

Let me also preface this by saying that Tim and I usually craft our own combo.  We love the meatball topping option here--large, halved meatballs that have plenty of flavor on their own--and we combine it with mushrooms and usually goat cheese or blue cheese.  And it is devine.

Tecumseh

The Cheese Louise is also a solid pick (cheddar, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, gouda, red onion, and bacon)--sub mushrooms for the red onion and you end up with the Quattro Formaggio from Bazbeaux, another steller pizza.

But this time.  Oh, this time.  We were at Jockamo's for a friend's birthday, and decided that we'd both venture from the norm and try new pizzas.  I went with a 10" Potato Skin Pizza:  Skin-on roasted potatoes, tomato, green onion, bacon, and cheddar cheese ($10.60).  It sounded so awesome!  But it was just lacking.  Not enough flavor there (hard to believe, with that combo, right?).  I think it needed more sauce, perhaps--they have a flavorful, fresh tasting pizza sauce that did brighten up the bites that contained more of it.  Otherwise, it was just lacking in salt or something.  Disappointing!

Tim got a special, the Tecumseh, which involved venison sausage, mushrooms, tomato, and green onion.  He was so excited for the sausage, but said it was pretty bland.  Also disappointing!

I did start my meal with their excellent spinach salad, though ($3.95).  Spinach, chopped egg, raw mushrooms, and bacon topped with a tangy bacon dressing.  The mushrooms give the whole thing a meaty quality (so does, you know, the bacon), while the spinach makes you feel like you're being healthy.

While this meal was, unfortunately, one of the worst we've had at Jockamo's, it still wasn't bad--it just wasn't as good as we know it can be.  And that's probably what made it seem even worse--it has such potential.  It CAN be great, this visit was just sub-par. So, it's still absolutely worth a visit.  Craft your own, or go with the Cheese Louise, Slaughterhouse Five, Philly Jack, or Meatball--all great.  I've also had their lunch slices of cheese & bacon several times, and it's outstanding (so why wasn't the Potato Skin Pizza???  Ugh.). Breadsticks are good to.  Don't let this review scare you away.  Go.

Website:  Jockamo's Upper Crust Pizza