Business Profile: Pizza Katrina

Pizza Katrina

By Richard Martinovich

Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan recalled when he fi rst began touring that each region of the country was distinctly different in culture, dress, stores and restaurants. Today, America has an abundance of the same; franchise stores and chain restaurants. That’s what makes our local shops and restaurants so worth patronizing! There are many pizza places out there, but none quite like Pizza Katerina on 9th Street in Kalamazoo! In January, Pizza Katerina held a Winter Pizza Poll. Customers could sample an eclectic variety of original home-made pizzas, some they likely had never seen or imagined before: Roasted Vegetable with a Balsamic and Garlic Olive Oil Drizzle, French Onion Pizza with Cracked Black Pepper, Chicken Alfredo with Roasted Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts and Sriracha Honey Chicken! This kind of unique creativity starts with owners Melodie and Jimmy, and their energy and passion for food! Pizza Katerina opened in 2018 when couple Kathleen (Katerina) and Paul brought their love of New York Pizza to Kalamazoo. Unfortunately, their business didn’t make it, but Melodie and Jimmy bought Pizza Katerina in February 2021 and saw an opportunity to introduce pizza recipes they had been working on for nearly a decade. Customer reaction has been fantastic! And while Pizza Katerina admits they might not be the fastest pizzeria, the extra care they take in crafting every pizza is well worth the wait! Pizza Katerina also makes fresh bread every week; Rustic White, Garlic Herb and Topped Focaccia. Pizza Katerina focaccia sticks come with their own special marinara sauce. The pizzas for the Winter Pizza Poll will be available through April. There are other specialty pizzas on the menu like their fabulous Thai Pizza, and you can build your own as well. They have also kept recipes developed by the previous owners, like the fl avorful red sauce on the pizzas. Pizza Katerina has a daily lunch special featuring two slices of pizza, a drink and cookie! There are desserts called Kari’s Treats; dark chocolatey brownies, chocolate chip cookies with a nutty fl are and Fruit Filled Puff Pastry, light, crispy layers of puff pastry fi lled with a variety of fruit fi llings. After winter comes the spring, and a chance to discover more fun and delicious creations from Pizza Katerina!

635 N. 9th Street, East • Kalamazoo • 269-216-3651