Mesa Pizza is a really popular pizza joint with locations around Minneapolis, Minnesota and one in Iowa. The chain has been receiving mixed reviews from customers lately, with some praising the slices’ uniqueness and others criticizing the locations and quality of the ingredients.
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Despite the mixed reviews, Mesa Pizza has managed to maintain a loyal following thanks to its stand-out-from-the-crowd topping ideas and creative flavor combinations. Daniel, in particular, has been going here for over 15 years, especially when driving through town and just craving a slice of pizza. Here’s our very honest Mesa Pizza review!
Not to be confused with other Mesa Pizzas, we are not referring to any pizzerias in Mesa, Arizona, or a certain pizza shop also called Mesa Pizza in San Diego, California. We’ll save those reviews for another day.
Mesa Pizza Location and Hours
As we said, Mesa Pizza By The Slice is a staple of the Dinkytown, Minneapolis, Minnesota, neighborhood. It’s directly across the street from the famed Varsity Theater and Loring Pasta Bar.
Location
The Dinkytown location of Mesa Pizza is situated at 1323 4th St SE, Minneapolis, MN. It is conveniently located near the University of Minnesota, making it a must-see spot for students and locals alike. The restaurant is easily accessible by car, bike, or public transportation. And by the time someone graduates from the U of M, they will probably be sick of Mesa.
Hours
Mesa Pizza in Dinkytown is open seven days a week, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM the next day on Friday and Saturday nights. This makes it a great spot for a late-night bite and a lunchtime pizza. The restaurant’s hours are subject to change, so it is always a good idea to check their website or call ahead before visiting.
Parking
Parking can be a bit of a challenge in the Dinkytown area, but there are several options available for Mesa Pizza customers. There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant, as well as metered street parking nearby. Additionally, there are several parking garages in the university area that offer hourly rates.
Be careful though, this area is notorious for parking tickets! Keep a close eye on your meter and physically measure your distance from curbs, driveways, and fire hydrants. They are sticklers!
Overall, Mesa Pizza’s Dinkytown location is a convenient spot for a delicious pizza any time of day. With its central location, ample parking options, and extended hours, it is a popular choice for locals and visitors alike.
Mesa Pizza Atmosphere and Feeling
Mesa Pizza is known for its quirky atmosphere that attracts a diverse crowd of pizza lovers. The restaurant’s interior is decorated with colorful graffiti and murals, giving it a youthful and energetic vibe. The walls are covered in stickers, concert posters, and flyers, adding to the overall eclectic feel of the place.
The seating is casual, with a mix of high top tables and standing room only. You’re not intended to stay long and chat. Just grab your slices, eat, and get out!
The atmosphere is really laid-back and friendly, making it perfect for college students and young adults. The staff has always been welcoming and attentive, adding to the overall positive experience.
A cool aspect of Mesa Pizza is its diverse selection of pizza flavors, including classic options like pepperoni and cheese, as well as more adventurous choices like macaroni and cheese and buffalo chicken. This variety adds to the fun and playful atmosphere of the restaurant, encouraging customers to try new things and explore different toppings they may have never tried before.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique and quirky atmosphere | Limited seating |
| Friendly and attentive staff | Can be noisy during peak hours |
| Diverse selection of pizza slices | Limited menu options beyond pizza |
| Casual standing room tables for groups | No in-store delivery option (have to use one of the apps |
| Popular spot for college students and young adults |
Management and Staff
When it comes to Mesa Pizza places, the management and staff play a crucial role in ensuring a positive experience for customers. In general, customers appreciate friendly and attentive staff who are knowledgeable about the menu and can answer any questions they may have.
Another important aspect of management in Mesa pizza places is ensuring that the establishment is clean and well-maintained. Customers expect a clean and inviting atmosphere when dining out, and it is up to management to ensure that the establishment meets these expectations.
While management and staff can vary from one Mesa pizza place to another, it is important for them to work together to provide excellent service and create a positive dining experience for customers. By providing proper training, creating a positive work environment, and ensuring that the establishment is clean and well-maintained, management can help ensure that customers have a positive experience and are likely to return in the future.
Mesa Pizza Menu
Mesa Pizza offers a variety of hand-tossed pizzas made with fresh ingredients. The menu includes regular and gourmet toppings, as well as vegetarian options.
Pizza
Mesa Pizza’s pizza slices are known for their crazy creative toppings. They offer over 50 flavors every single day, including classic cheese and pepperoni, as well as more unusual options like mac and cheese pizza, gyro pizza, and buffalo chicken pizza. Customers can also order whole pizzas with their choice of toppings, but I don’t think we’ve actually ever done that. Slices every time for us.
Vegetarian Options
Mesa Pizza offers several vegetarian options, including a variety of vegetarian toppings such as fresh basil, green bell pepper, tomato, cilantro, mushrooms, olives, onion, jalapeños, pineapple, feta cheese, and fresh ricotta cheese (organic when available). They also offer gourmet vegetarian toppings, like roasted garlic, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes.
For those looking for a vegetarian pizza, Mesa Pizza offers several options, including the Margherita pizza, which features fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fresh basil, and the Veggie pizza, which includes green bell pepper, mushroom, onion, olive, and tomato.
In addition to pizzas, Mesa Pizza also offers salads, making it the first choice for many vegan students for a quick lunch or dinner. With its strange toppings and affordable prices, Mesa Pizza is a must-visit for pizza lovers in the area.
Mesa Pizza’s menu offers a variety of options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. With its unique toppings and fresh ingredients, it’s no wonder that Mesa Pizza has become a staple for pizza lovers in the area.
Our Honest Mesa Pizza Review
Mesa Pizza is a small chain of pizza restaurants with locations in Minneapolis and Iowa. They offer a variety of pizza options, including build-your-own and specialty pizzas. Here’s our honest review of Mesa Pizza based on all various factors.
Pros
One of the main pros of Mesa Pizza is their affordable prices. Customers can enjoy a decent slice of pizza without breaking the bank too much. Remember when slices were $1 each!? The crust is also worth mentioning, as it is crispy and flavorful. Additionally, Mesa Pizza offers a variety of toppings to choose from, so customers can customize their pizza to their liking.
Cons
One of the cons of Mesa Pizza is the sauce. Some customers have reported that the sauce is too light and lacking in flavor. However, this can be easily remedied by using marinara sauce or ranch sauce or some spicy ranch sauce for dipping. Additionally, the cheese has been reported to be underwhelming and lacking in flavor.
Another con of Mesa Pizza is the price. While the prices are affordable, some younger customers have reported that they are a bit pricy for what you get. For example, two slices of pizza for over $10 may be a bit steep for some customers on a student budget.
In conclusion, Mesa Pizza has its pros and cons. While the prices are average and the crust is crispy and flavorful, the sauce and cheese may leave something to be desired. However, with a variety of awesome toppings to choose from, Mesa Pizza is worth a try for those looking for a slice on the go.
On our last visit, we went with a slice of Gyro pizza and a classic pepperoni. We were not disappointed.
Conclusion
Mesa Pizza is a popular pizza chain with the student crowd at UMN. The chain has received mixed reviews from customers, with some praising the pizza’s flavor and crust while others criticize the cheese and price.
And according to other Yelp reviews, the pizza at Mesa Pizza is decent, but not exceptional. Some customers found the sauce to be a little light, but the toppings and cheese were present in good amounts. The crust was crispy and flavorful, but the cheese was underwhelming. The price of the pizza was also a point of contention, with some customers finding it to be a bit pricy.
Despite mixed reviews, Mesa Pizza remains an easy choice for those looking for a quick bite while out and about in Dinkytown.
It’s no Boludo or OG ZaZa or Wrecktangle, which are just a few miles away. But much better pizza than Giulia. And we’re headed back to China soon, so check out our Pizza Bianca review from Tianjin.
Mesa Pizza By The Slice
We've been going here for over 15 years when driving through town and just craving a slice of pizza. Here's our very honest Mesa Pizza review!
Address: 1323 4th St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55414, United States of America
Geo Coordinates: 44.9809568, -93.2366557
Phone Number: 612-436-3006
Price Range: $
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday
Opening Time: 11:00
Closing Time: 23:00
Days: Thursday
Opening Time: 11:00
Closing Time: 01:00
Days: Friday, Saturday
Opening Time: 11:00
Closing Time: 02:00
Serves Cuisine: Pizza
Menu URL: http://www.mesapizzamn.com/menu.html
