We came because of the New York Times recommendation, but it was disappointing overall and I doubt we will be back. We live within 90 minutes, so when the NYT said some of the best pizza in the country is in our backyard, how could we not try it out? The pizza is good, fresh - reminds me of pizza I've had in Italy. Very thin, little toppings or other ingredients. I would say it is more appetizer than meal. An average person could eat an entire pizza for their meal. However, we ordered 1 for every 2 people in our party and it was not enough food. That would have been fine if we could have ordered more, but they must only have 1 oven because they could only deliver 2 pizzas every 20 minutes, so not everyone in our party could eat at the same time. Other times, 1 pizza was delivered cold with a hot pizza. It would have taken way too long to order more. Again, I don't think they're set up to function as a real restaurant and the pizza is supposed to serve as something to snack on with your beer, rather than a meal. There were only 3 pizzas available on the menu and a cheese plate. That's it. Again, it's not really a restaurant.
The overall environment and vibe is pretty cool - nice outdoor areas, a campfire, an old log cabin. However, when you first arrive there's no one to greet you and no signage directing you. You have to walk around the place and figure it out on your own - Can you just sit anywhere? How do you order? Where are the menus? Who is in charge?
There were only two people tending the bar. When we arrived the line from the bar was long and slow, as they chatted with each customer about their beer preferences. Meanwhile, I had over a dozen hungry people with no idea where to sit or how to order. I waited in line for 20 minutes, to tell them the pizzas we wanted so we could wait another 20 minutes for each set of 2 every 20 minutes. Oh and by the way they're cash only, but have an ATM right there. Super annoying. It's 2024. Accepting credit cards is cheaper than handling cash, not to mention the error, risk, and fraud. Business fundamentals. Who carries cash?
In the end, everyone was still hungry and we ended up stopping at a different restaurant on the way home.
Oh and if you come at night, bring your flashlight because there are no lights in the parking lot, there are steps, and this place is out in the middle of nowhere with no street lights. It was super dark and we could hardly see a thing. Not safe.
So yeah, the pizza is good but nothing super special and definitely not worth the trip and hassle. I don't think we will go back. It makes me sad that a small, local business like this has gotten such great publicity for their craft - but is overall not going to survive from a business standpoint. Maybe they will get some college kids who come to drink beer, but there is so much more potential here that they won't be able to realize unless they make some changes.
Russ Davenport
Super cool location, unique and VERY nice staff. But an entire pizza should have more than 3 oz of cheese and if I order meat... it also should be at LEAST 3 oz. of meat (sausage, pork, whatever). I paid $40 for two 11" pizzas which were actually "flat breads".
I explained when ordering that I expected cheese covering the entire pie. I ordered extra meat- I explained my expectations in some detail- sadly ONE Costco (2$) slice has LITERALLY TWICE the cheese as either of our pizzas had tonight COMBINED. This is not an exaggeration- just an honest comparison I can can make.
The arugula was fresh, the crust was superb, the pesto perfect- BUT... I went for DINNER, not "flat bread appetizers". I got home and made a dinner afterward.
I am not downing the service or the superb setting- place is amazing in so many ways. If you value that and like bread with a little bit of cheese and pesto spread over it so thin you see more crust that toppings- go for it. I can't say how superb the ingredients were- and how amazingly lacking they were in quantity. It COULD be so good if they just made a REAL PIZZA!
Beer was also "unique", and I DO give them credit for the efforts to use unique and interesting ingredients! But I can't say I found a favorite out of the several I tasted- they were all a bit "thin" in body, but good in other ways. Again...VERY nice staff and location. But it's a SUPER shame they sell "bread" without cheese or meat on it. I can't call it pizza- sorry.
Liz Trimble
Worth going off the beaten path to find! Beers flavored with local forage, unique flatbread combinations, great outdoor setting! Can't wait to come back. Pictured is the sweet potato goat cheese flatbread with a fennel stout and juniper berry sour.
NOTE: CASH ONLY. They do have an ATM on site.
Jessica Lopez
Always a great time! Love the space, the beer/food, and the people!
Robert Andrews
Great pizza. Amazing beer!?
Phil Ridarelli
Any number of reasons to LOVE this place. The people, the artwork, the beer, the pizza, the space itself. Don’t miss it.
Brittany Peters
We had a great time at Scratch this morning! The pizza was different than I normally eat, but it was delicious and the beer selection was great. We will definitely be back but try an evening this time to see the lights and maybe a fire!
Dawn Wilson
We had a great time. Beautiful scenery. Very nice place to relax. The pizza was good.
Israel Ruiz
Go to Ava, IL and try this! Their beer was good. I had a flight and the beer tasted great. Do yourself a favor and try their pizza, totally worth the drive. Their ingredients are fresh and the quality of the pizza is excellent.
John N
Awesome beer and food, a great atmosphere as well.
Great beer, great atmosphere! The black walnut was a particular favorite with our group. Oh did I mention the pizza!
Ann Marie Klacko
One of my favorite destination breweries to travel to. Great beer and handmade pizza in a serene and beautiful forest setting!
Rebecca Molitor
Simple, beautiful place to sit under the trees with friends
Daniel Bertles
What an amazing experience. My wife and I shared 1 full flight, a pizza and the "picnic". Everything was amazing and the beer was fantastic. Such a unique variety. Even if I didn't prefer a certain brew, I still enjoyed the opportunity of trying it.
Brian Fox Ellis
Amazing beers and great food in a beautiful setting!
Review: Good pizza, not worth the trip
We came because of the New York Times recommendation, but it was disappointing overall and I doubt we will be back. We live within 90 minutes, so when the NYT said some of the best pizza in the country is in our backyard, how could we not try it out? The pizza is good, fresh - reminds me of pizza I've had in Italy. Very thin, little toppings or other ingredients. I would say it is more appetizer than meal. An average person could eat an entire pizza for their meal. However, we ordered 1 for every 2 people in our party and it was not enough food. That would have been fine if we could have ordered more, but they must only have 1 oven because they could only deliver 2 pizzas every 20 minutes, so not everyone in our party could eat at the same time. Other times, 1 pizza was delivered cold with a hot pizza. It would have taken way too long to order more. Again, I don't think they're set up to function as a real restaurant and the pizza is supposed to serve as something to snack on with your beer, rather than a meal. There were only 3 pizzas available on the menu and a cheese plate. That's it. Again, it's not really a restaurant.
The overall environment and vibe is pretty cool - nice outdoor areas, a campfire, an old log cabin. However, when you first arrive there's no one to greet you and no signage directing you. You have to walk around the place and figure it out on your own - Can you just sit anywhere? How do you order? Where are the menus? Who is in charge?
There were only two people tending the bar. When we arrived the line from the bar was long and slow, as they chatted with each customer about their beer preferences. Meanwhile, I had over a dozen hungry people with no idea where to sit or how to order. I waited in line for 20 minutes, to tell them the pizzas we wanted so we could wait another 20 minutes for each set of 2 every 20 minutes. Oh and by the way they're cash only, but have an ATM right there. Super annoying. It's 2024. Accepting credit cards is cheaper than handling cash, not to mention the error, risk, and fraud. Business fundamentals. Who carries cash?
In the end, everyone was still hungry and we ended up stopping at a different restaurant on the way home.
Oh and if you come at night, bring your flashlight because there are no lights in the parking lot, there are steps, and this place is out in the middle of nowhere with no street lights. It was super dark and we could hardly see a thing. Not safe.
So yeah, the pizza is good but nothing super special and definitely not worth the trip and hassle. I don't think we will go back. It makes me sad that a small, local business like this has gotten such great publicity for their craft - but is overall not going to survive from a business standpoint. Maybe they will get some college kids who come to drink beer, but there is so much more potential here that they won't be able to realize unless they make some changes.
Super cool location, unique and VERY nice staff. But an entire pizza should have more than 3 oz of cheese and if I order meat... it also should be at LEAST 3 oz. of meat (sausage, pork, whatever). I paid $40 for two 11" pizzas which were actually "flat breads".
I explained when ordering that I expected cheese covering the entire pie. I ordered extra meat- I explained my expectations in some detail- sadly ONE Costco (2$) slice has LITERALLY TWICE the cheese as either of our pizzas had tonight COMBINED. This is not an exaggeration- just an honest comparison I can can make.
The arugula was fresh, the crust was superb, the pesto perfect- BUT... I went for DINNER, not "flat bread appetizers". I got home and made a dinner afterward.
I am not downing the service or the superb setting- place is amazing in so many ways. If you value that and like bread with a little bit of cheese and pesto spread over it so thin you see more crust that toppings- go for it. I can't say how superb the ingredients were- and how amazingly lacking they were in quantity. It COULD be so good if they just made a REAL PIZZA!
Beer was also "unique", and I DO give them credit for the efforts to use unique and interesting ingredients! But I can't say I found a favorite out of the several I tasted- they were all a bit "thin" in body, but good in other ways. Again...VERY nice staff and location. But it's a SUPER shame they sell "bread" without cheese or meat on it. I can't call it pizza- sorry.
Worth going off the beaten path to find! Beers flavored with local forage, unique flatbread combinations, great outdoor setting! Can't wait to come back. Pictured is the sweet potato goat cheese flatbread with a fennel stout and juniper berry sour.
NOTE: CASH ONLY. They do have an ATM on site.
Always a great time! Love the space, the beer/food, and the people!
Great pizza. Amazing beer!?
Any number of reasons to LOVE this place. The people, the artwork, the beer, the pizza, the space itself. Don’t miss it.
We had a great time at Scratch this morning! The pizza was different than I normally eat, but it was delicious and the beer selection was great. We will definitely be back but try an evening this time to see the lights and maybe a fire!
We had a great time. Beautiful scenery. Very nice place to relax. The pizza was good.
Go to Ava, IL and try this! Their beer was good. I had a flight and the beer tasted great. Do yourself a favor and try their pizza, totally worth the drive. Their ingredients are fresh and the quality of the pizza is excellent.
Awesome beer and food, a great atmosphere as well.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great beer, great atmosphere! The black walnut was a particular favorite with our group. Oh did I mention the pizza!
One of my favorite destination breweries to travel to. Great beer and handmade pizza in a serene and beautiful forest setting!
Simple, beautiful place to sit under the trees with friends
What an amazing experience. My wife and I shared 1 full flight, a pizza and the "picnic". Everything was amazing and the beer was fantastic. Such a unique variety. Even if I didn't prefer a certain brew, I still enjoyed the opportunity of trying it.
Amazing beers and great food in a beautiful setting!
Loading...