Information on Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding Northwest Michigan area

01/05/2007

Let's Do Lunch

Pizza from around the world

by doug davenport
For more restaurant profiles, see our Let's Do Lunch page

Pangea's Pizza, located at 135 E. Front St. in Traverse City, brings the flavors of the world to its pizza.

Restaurant: Pangea's Pizza

Address: 135 E. Front Street, TC

Phone: 946-9800

Atmosphere/Food/$$Range:

Pangea is a Greek word meaning "all lands.” The owners of Pangea's Pizza, the Girrbach family, bring the flavors of the world to a tasty array of pizza, sandwiches and salads.

Chris Girrbach says, "We opened in June 2006, just in time for the Cherry Festival. We've been busy ever since.”

His mother, Phyllis, directed the makeover of the travel agency that previously occupied the space. Customers bask in the glow of warm ochre and merlot tones. Natural light streams through the windowed West wall.

Dine at the long window counter with a pleasant view of Front Street, or at booths and tables that run the length of the restaurant.

"We offer our unique takes on pizza and sandwiches,” Chris said.

Phyllis added, "This is a place where folks can enjoy sandwiches, salads, and unique pizza, all made with fresh ingredients ... On Wednesday nights we feature live entertainment — soft guitar music. We try to be accommodating to our customers. If someone suggests something different, we'll try to prepare it. Our menu is open to change.”

Pizza ($8-20) is served on New York style thin crust, traditional crust or calzone style. Menu selections include the Pangean Select (pepperoni and lots more), a basic cheese, the Italian, a wonderful veggie version called the World Market, the Hawaiian (with pineapple), The Texan (a barbecue pizza), Chicken Alfredo, and the Mexican.

Delicious salads ($6-11) come in dinner or family size (feeds 2-3). Offerings include a Caesar, Antipasto, Greek, Asian, and the Traverse City Special.

Ample-sized sandwiches ($7) are served on freshly baked breads and include pickle and a choice of cole slaw, potato salad or chips. The Venetian features prosciutto, salami, pepperoncinis, tomato, onion and mozzarella. Try a Mediterranean with mushroom, squash/zucchini, red pepper and balsamic vinegar. The American is a new take on the traditional BLT, adding avocado.

Beer, wine and some specialty drinks are also available.

My Selection:
The special salad of the day was the Asian, chicken served with vegetables and noodles, topped with sliced carrots and spiced with hoisin sauce. My Pangean sandwich of pepperoni, mozzarella, onion, mushrooms and green pepper with a house red sauce, served on a baked Italian roll, was indeed fresh and flavorful.