I started this post as a travel post about Kalamazoo, but it evolved into something else by the time I finished it.
Just about the best pizza in the world was at Bilbo's Pizza in East Lansing, Michigan. Not only did they have fantastic deep-dish pizza, they also had the most bizarre menu item name I'd ever seen: a sandwich called "Old Fatty Lumpkin Whose Wise Nose Led Him Here". Yes, I will repeat: "Old Fatty Lumpkin Whose Wise Nose Led Him Here" was the name of the sandwich. The whole place had a Tolkien theme. This was all back in the 1980s.
Bilbo's also called their bread sticks "Hobbit Stix". The service was at times amusing. Once we had an order that seemed to take forever. Eventually, the server emerged from the back and walked towards our table. Just as he got close, he stumbled over his own feet and dumped the pizza on the floor as we watched. Oh well, we waited another 45 minutes. We took it all in good humor that evening. I sort of knew the server guy and he did look like a little like a hobbit.
Another time, Bilbo's instituted delivery. I'm really not sure it lasted long. A friend in the dorm room next door ordered pizza and drinks. I remember it well enough to recall that the drinks were Vernors. Why do I remember this? Because there were lots of drinks. Lots and lots of drinks. Well, you see, my friend ordered four. The Bilbo's delivery guy showed up with the pizza and the 4 drinks. However, he got the order wrong. The guy took the pizza and went back, but gave the drinks to my friend for free. A half hour later or so later, the processed repeated itself. Still the wrong order, still free drinks. It happened a few times after that, too before the correct order was delivered. There were lots of free Vernor's hand out up and down the dorm floor that night. After these and other incidents, we called them Bumble's Pizza for a while.
Just about the best pizza in the world was at Bilbo's Pizza in East Lansing, Michigan. Not only did they have fantastic deep-dish pizza, they also had the most bizarre menu item name I'd ever seen: a sandwich called "Old Fatty Lumpkin Whose Wise Nose Led Him Here". Yes, I will repeat: "Old Fatty Lumpkin Whose Wise Nose Led Him Here" was the name of the sandwich. The whole place had a Tolkien theme. This was all back in the 1980s.
Bilbo's also called their bread sticks "Hobbit Stix". The service was at times amusing. Once we had an order that seemed to take forever. Eventually, the server emerged from the back and walked towards our table. Just as he got close, he stumbled over his own feet and dumped the pizza on the floor as we watched. Oh well, we waited another 45 minutes. We took it all in good humor that evening. I sort of knew the server guy and he did look like a little like a hobbit.
Another time, Bilbo's instituted delivery. I'm really not sure it lasted long. A friend in the dorm room next door ordered pizza and drinks. I remember it well enough to recall that the drinks were Vernors. Why do I remember this? Because there were lots of drinks. Lots and lots of drinks. Well, you see, my friend ordered four. The Bilbo's delivery guy showed up with the pizza and the 4 drinks. However, he got the order wrong. The guy took the pizza and went back, but gave the drinks to my friend for free. A half hour later or so later, the processed repeated itself. Still the wrong order, still free drinks. It happened a few times after that, too before the correct order was delivered. There were lots of free Vernor's hand out up and down the dorm floor that night. After these and other incidents, we called them Bumble's Pizza for a while.
Recently, I checked and found out that Bilbo's Pizza had a web page. You can see it, along with all the strange menu items, http://www.bilbospizza.com/
The site seems odd, as if it is a museum piece put up by someone who loved the place rather than an actual site for a business. The Bilbo's in East Lansing, Michigan is apparently long gone. The one Google shows as actually being in Kalamazoo has a different address from the one in the web site. On top of that, I do not remember the exact prices Bilbo's had in the mid 1980s, but I don't think the prices on this 2007 web page are any higher than they were 20 years ago and I find it unusual that the menu hasn't changed at all.
Once, sometime in the 1990s but really before everyone had good web pages, we were passing through Kalamazoo, Michigan. Have you ever heard of Kalamazoo? Yeah, everyone has. If anyone knows anything at all about Michigan, it is the fact that they have a city named Kalamazoo there, and also a city named Detroit where they make all the cars. Well, the last one is less and less true now. So yes, there is a Kalamazoo. And no, there is no zoo there. Not unless you count the "Air Zoo.". Don't get too excited: you can't go there and get buzzed by flying hippos. It's just a collection of airplanes.
Anyway, we'd heard that Kalamazoo had a Bilbo's Pizza. We had no idea where. We didn't have a phone book or anything, so we stopped at a gas station and asked "Where's Bilbo's Pizza?". The "helpful" attendant gave us directions, so we followed. The directions took us deep into downtown Kalamazoo, with its crooked streets, and just out the other side. There was saw a bar called "Bimbo's Pizza". Yes, it was a bar. And yes, it was called Bimbo's, not Bilbo's. Sorry, that's what it was called. We felt like bamboozled bozos, so we left town. Who would want a pizza with the "Bimbo" name on it anyway? Well, we barely slowed down as we passed it. Who knows, it might really be a great place, but the mere name seemed villainous and unappetizing, and was especially disappointing because we wanted Bilbo's, and we were hungry.
The Bilbo's in East Lansing is also memorialized by a myspace page. I think there really is one in Kalamazoo now, as long as we avoid bad directions to Bimbo's again. Thank you, Google Maps.
There's nobody reading this who ever actually went to Bilbo's, is there? Don't mind at all if you talk about favorite/funny pizza experiences (including deliver), either.
And if you don't like pizza, my Coffee post is still warm; it's the one right below this one.
There's nobody reading this who ever actually went to Bilbo's, is there? Don't mind at all if you talk about favorite/funny pizza experiences (including deliver), either.
And if you don't like pizza, my Coffee post is still warm; it's the one right below this one.
30 comments:
Sledgehammer, Wizard Wheat Dragon Red Ale.. They sound like they come right out the LOTR..Home brews.. hmmmm.. Now I'm thirsty...lol
who doesn't like pizza? When in Amsterdam I got a pizza that came on a pancake and it was not very yummy. It was, in fact, all wrong. Their pancakes are not like ours, it wasn't that wrong. It had too thin crust (and not crispy) and too much sauce and not enough cheese, and i think the mushrooms were gross.
I've never been to Bilbo's or Bimbo's, but I have been to Kalamazoo, ate in the Applebee's once with my aunt and cousin Gracie.
The best pizza on the planet was found at the corner of St Mark's and 9th in NYC. The slices were huge and only cost a buck a piece. There were no seats in the place, we sat out on St Marks and enjoyed the huge NY Pie in the daytime sun.
I have never been there as I am on the other side of the country, but I am jealous that I haven't been there!
BabyBull40: Bilbo's was decorated with wonderful Hobbit/Tolkien related artwork (paintings, wood engraving, etc.) as well.
Natalie: But I love the pizza in Amsterdam. Actually, it was in the airport there, and it was a lot more conventional. The crust was outstanding. Doesn't sound like what you had.
As for "who does not like pizza?", I know someone who does not like cheese. At all. As a result, he doesn't like pizza that much.
Silver: Yes, been to an Applebee's once or twice.
MrManuel: I'm sure there are great restaurants in the Golden West as well, right?
As a Spartan Alum, I loved Hobbit stick I think they were called. The dill dip that came with them was outstanding.
I remember the paintings on the walls in there and the dark feel to it all.
Oh, and stop hanging around Bimbos
Wreckless. Thanks! Someone else who remembers it. I forgot the dill dip entirely, but now I remember.
I used to love Gatsby's Pizza in Sausalito, CA (where I gre up). It had deep dish so thick you had to eat it with both utinsils. I hava many a fond memory there..
There are actually 2 locations in the Kalamazoo area... One is on S. Westnedge in Portage... and the newest one (a microbrewery) is on Stadium Drive off of US131. We drove down from Lansing in September for Hobbit sticks with dill dip... yes, we do road trips for Bilbos!!
That is a fantastic menu. The names of the sandwiches made me laugh.
it is sad that places with so much personality end up going the way of the Elven ships.
When I was growing up there was a place called Rocky's U-Bake Pizza.
When we moved away from the town I was sad.
I have a story about that pizza that I could post on my blog.
Thanks for the idea.
Jodi is correct about the two in Kalamazoo. The "newest" one is actually the kalamazoo original and it was moved to it's new location about a year and a half ago.
But I have to say, the atmosphere of Bilbo's cannot be beat but if you are looking for the best pizza in town, it is at BIMBOS. Despite your dismay at poor directions and its villinous name, had you gone in you would have discovered the greatest pizza secret of kalamazoo.
If you ever come back, give it a try and you will certainly agree.
Too true, service was at times sketchy and any, ANY delivery to the dorms was late/wrong/or any number of things. I worked there for about 3 1/2 years between I think '92-'95. It was an amazing place and some of the best people I've ever known I met there.
It's truly been missed.
I ate at the East Lansing Bilbos several times in the 80s when I went to MSU. I remember the stuffed pizza and Hobbit Toes fondly. I also remember that there was a Kalamazoo location back then too. It was listed on the pizza box. I never had a problem with delivery. Best pizza in the state. If I'm ever in Kalamazoo, I'll seek it out.
I used to work at Bilbo's in East Lansing from 91-92. I worked all the jobs, but mostly delivery. What a great job! 1 12 hour shift a week and over $200 in pay in tips. Plus being the only game in town delivering til 4am to a bunch of drunks who just wanted their hobbit stix gave me a bit of hero status. By the way, none of my orders were wrong :) Anyone remember Wiggins the bartender? Awww, I miss that guy!
i was also a worker bee there for the first half og 1996 and can attest to the oddities that worked there, including myself at the time... I spent most of my working time at El Az as a cook and waiter, but can tell you most of my tips when to the 32oz. long island iced teas there... i wish i still had the recepie...
I loved the Master Samwise. Great pizza and bread sticks. I love Bilbo's. Ate there countless times in East Lansing and in Portage. The Kalamazoo (actually in Portage)Bilbo's is on South Westnedge, about a mile south of I-94 near the mall.
Hey, I just stumbled across this site because I was searching for Bilbo's to call in a long distance order. I think Bilbo's is the best pizza ever. I went to college in Kazoo in the 80's and Bilbo's was like the ultimate treat. I'm kinda bummed they closed down the original place on Michigan Ave right next to Campus at WMU but the new Micro Brew on Stadium drive is very nice. It just so happens that I now live about 40 miles from Kazoo so I still get some of their great pizza any chance I get. My wife is at a track meet in Portage right now so I called in a take out. If you are ever in Kalamazoo I highly recommend checking out Bilbo's. Either location is great but I prefer the micro brew because it's closer to the old WMU stomping grounds.
I went to school at MSU, and Bilbo's was my every night watering hole for several years. The lame delivery guys were likely my room mates Skip VonKuske and Eric Walker, who both delivered food for Bilbos in the late 80's and early 90's. The bartender referred to by "anonymous" is Tom Wiggins. I got many a free drink (and TOO many paid ones) from Tom. I heard that of the 3 or 4 Bilbo's in business those days, the East Lansing one was the only one where the actual bar didn't turn a profit. If this is true, it certainly wasn't because of a lack of business, but more likely because so much alcohol was GIVEN AWAY to all us regulars. Sad to hear it no longer exists...
I went to MSU 1990-1994 and I still think Bilbo's pizza is the best I ever had...along with the bread sticks with dill dip.
This is coming from someone who lives in chicago and loves Lou Malnotti's deep dish.
I couldn't believe when it closed down. I plan on taking a road trip to MSU and detouring to Kalamazoo for some Bilbo's pizza
Your post took me back. I used to celebrate thursday nights with a Fatty Lumpkin, and sunday nights with a stuffed pepperoni and jalapeno pizza...
I worked at the Bilbo's on Portage Road in the summer of '87, and then at that location right off WMU's campus in the fall of '87. Spectacular atmosphere, excellent deep dish pizza, and some of the most interesting recipes I've come across. A salad with their house dressing was half of the best slice-and-salad lunch I've ever come across. I actually stumbled on your site trying to find a recipe for their Great Bread. The spread was some combination of margarine, mustard, dill and poppy seeds, and it was topped with swiss and grilled. Unique combos they had there.
I discovered this blog tonight when researching what ever happened to Bilbo's.
My Spartan alumni gathering features "Spartan Sticks," which I thought were modeled on Hobbit Sticks. Turns out I was dating myself, because the bartender didn't even know about Bilbo's or the amazing Hobbit Sticks. Apparently there's some other place that has Poky Sticks that have become legendary with the younger Spartan alums, and that's what they were modeled on.
I can't tell you how many times we ordered from Bilbo's to Case Hall. I can tell you how many times they got it right, because that would be a big fat zero. We would plan to order several hours in advance, knowing that we would either wait several hours for it to show up, or if the order showed up at a reasonable time, that meant it was probably wrong and would need to be sent back. I got a lot of free Hobbit Sticks and "Milo Burrow's extra special treat."
Here in Kalamazoo MI we once had a zoo back in the 70's. it was Milham zoo, I remember the monkeys were always getting loose, and my mom said there was not enough room for the animals. It is now just milham park.
We have 2 Bilbos Pizza's, one at the Western Michigan University Campus, and one on S.Westnedge in Portage (a little south of downtown
kalamazoo). The Bilbo's pizza you just mentioned is rather noteworthy and been around probably as long as the hot dog place it is close to.
ALL of these places I have been to, and I LOVE them all. The only
thing I can say bad about them is that they are all a little pricey
compared to other pizza places (not
includeing Loc and Tina's in Paw Paw, MI -real pricey- but really cool next to a park and a river..)
I would tell anyone they are all great places to eat at, but if you want a really great thick whole bread pizza, there is only one place and that is Bilbo's pizza in a pan. I only come across this because I am trying to find a recipe for their killer dill dip for the breadsticks.
-sinner
God I miss Bilbo's. My ex and I were there the night they closed and it was absolutely insane. I have moved since and I swear to god I need hobbit stixs with Cheese and Dill sauce. So if anyone can make them PLEASE msg me on myspace. The turned the place into some crappy upscale bar that that wanted to complain and only let the COOL kids in. But for all of us who remember Bilbo's it does hold a special place in our heart.
LOL! Some of us who went to MSU in the early 90's were just reminiscing about Bilbo's and when I Googled it I got your blog post!
Good times, good times!
This is awesome! Thanks for the memories. My husband of 10 yrs and I, met at MSU 12 years ago near the just before we graduated. Our first meal out together was at Bilbo's in E. Lansing. I remember a Jewel video was playing on the tiny tv. Being in there felt like being transported into another land. We've been in VA for the past 10 yrs, but I remember hearing that they had had a kitchen fire and weren't able to re-open afterward. Not sure how long ago that was. I do remember the Hobbit Sticks and dill dip and waiting for them to be delivered late at night. Mmmm I can just taste them thinking about it...
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I so miss Bilbo's. It was such a geektopia. The beers, the decor, the pizza, the sandwiches....what the heck was that one with cole slaw in it? Can't remember.
Went there so many times in the wee hours after going to Rick's.
Even after closing time people would gather out front in the cold, foggy E.L. nights.
I can't believe it couldn't stay open. Life's so unfair.
Love the Bilbo's in Kalamazoo! Great lunch slices..30 years ago and today as well. Graduated from Western Michigan in 1980 and Bilbo's is still making the best pizza that I've ever had. Maybe time for a road trip...why not? Life is short and pizza is calling!
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