The BobHaywood.com Blog: Welcome to Andolini's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant in Owasso Oklahoma

Welcome to Andolini's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant in Owasso Oklahoma.

If you haven't been to Andolini's in Owasso, Oklahoma, you don't know what you're missing!  Andolini's the only authentic New Jersey style handmade pizza restaurant in Owasso.  And it's one of those places where the story of how the restaurant came into being is almost as good as the food, which by the way, is all made from scratch.

I sat down the other day with Mike Bausch, owner and founder of Andolini's to find out why he decided to open a pizza restaurant in Owasso.  Now the back story here that you should know is that I had heard the story from Mike's dad, the Colonel.  I had met the elder Mr. Bausch when I was working with him and his wife to sell a house here in our town.  Sure enough, as I listened to Mike tell the story again, it was as rich and full as the version his dad told. 

Mike's knowledge of pizza dates back to his childhood, growing up in New Jersey.  He told me that New Jersey is more of a suburb of New York than New York is.  It has a rich, authentic pizza culture of all different styles of New York and New Jersey pizza.  He and his brother James grew up in that culture going to pizza restaurants and enjoying what they didn't realize at the time, was something pretty special.

That something special...that pizza they would remember from their childhood would come back into their lives one day in a way they would never imagine.  They would own their own Pizza Restaurant in Owasso.  And how did that happen?  Well, it all started when his brother got transferred to Owasso.  James had been working for the Alamo Rental car company which had been bought out by Enterprise.  The new company, now called Van Guard, decided to relocate from Florida to Oklahoma. 

Mike was in California at the time.  He had graduated from college in 2004 and then signed up to serve in the military.  He wanted to be a JAG Lawyer.  However, he was diagnosed with diabetes and you know what that means.  He would not be able to continue in the Marines due to his medical condition.  Not to be deterred, he continued to pursue his interest in a law practice.  He had been accepted to three law schools in California.  This was the summer of 2004 when his brother James was moving to Owasso. 

It didn't take very long till James called Mike up and said, "You gotta check this place out!"  What he was talking about was a growing community with very few restaurants.  James saw an opportunity to do something special because there were no authentic pizza restaurantsin Owasso.  So Mike came to Owasso, took a look around and decided he had to consider the business opportunity.  It was just too good to pass up.  And the decision was made.  They would open a handmade authentic New Jersey/New York style pizza restaurantin Owasso, Oklahoma.  He and James began experimenting by playing around with pizza recipes from some of the restaurantsthey had worked in back in New Jersey.  After lots of attempts, they finally found a recipe that just blew them away.  The dough, the cheese and the sauce were all exactly right and they knew it.  They had found what they were looking for...something irresistible.

The restaurant opened on January 8, 2005.  Did they know what they were getting into?  Not really.  Mike confessed that their pizza restaurant should not have been successful.  They were bright eyed and bushy tailed and had no idea how to run a small business.  They had a huge learning curve the first year, but to them failure simply was not an option.  They worked hard, learned tough lessons, persevered and succeeded.  And they can certainly be proud.  Over 30 other restaurants have come and gone in Owasso over the last four years.  Not Andolini's.  They are here to stay.

I asked Mike what the most popular menu item is.  He said it is pizza by the slice at lunchtime.  The most popular pizza they serve is the Spring Street Pizza.  I personally love the Tenbysimo.  You'll love that one if you're a meat lover! 

I also asked Mike what the strangest thing anyone has ever ordered.  He thought for a minute and then said, "Heated Dr. Pepper." 

Andolini's is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  They offer delivery service and also provide small and corporate catering for your special event.  Wedding rehearsal dinners are becoming very popular at the restaurant.

There is a part two to this story and it has to do with Mike getting invited to a world class pizza competition with some of the finest pizza makers from around the world.  I'll tell you that story later and include a link as well.

For now, suffice it to say that if you're looking for some incredible pizza, you need to head to Andolini's pizza restaurant in Owasso.  You'll love the service, the atmosphere and especially the food!

You can find Andolini's at 12140 E 96th St N # 106, Owasso.  The phone number for the restaurant is (918) 272-9328. 

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