Up North Pizza Pub
Bavarian Pretzels – Cheese Sauce
Meatballs – Barbeque Sauce, Gorgonzola Ranch, Celery
Drunken Rooster – Pheasant Sausage, Whiskey Glazed Apples, Pistachios, Béchamel / Duck Duck Goat – Duck Confit, Roasted Grapes, Pecans, Goat Cheese, Arugula, Béchamel Sauce, Balsamic Drizzle
It seems safe to assume that most people from more than two hours away are unaware that Grand Forks and East Grand Forks are not only different cities but also in different states, thus it was with some confusion that the GPS exclaimed “Welcome to Minnesota” en route to Up North Pizza Pub, a friend from the area having just arrived moments prior to parking in an empty lot and entering the space at 314 4th Street Northwest.
Launched late 2016 by a group of four friends hoping to bring unique Pizza and Craft Beer to their city, both in fairly low supply despite the nearby University of North Dakota, Up North Pizza Pub is housed in a spacious building flooded with natural light from tall windows, a bevy of seating options including bar, tables and high-tops seeing the latter most favorable for two guests on a Friday just after the eleven o’clock opening.
Not particularly busy despite the day and impending lunch hour, only a few other tables filled throughout the meal’s eighty minute course, it was after being informed that the Restaurant was “out” of Burrata that the decision was made to invest in two Appetizers and a split-Pizza, the “Honey Buffalo” Meatballs also unavailable as listed and instead served as rubbery gobs of Meat topped in overly-sweet Sauce while two Bavarian Pretzels for $9 rivaled Las Vegas or New York City pricing but were thankfully buttery and well-proofed alongside thick Beer Cheese.
Certainly not a place unwilling to take chances, the Cheesesteak Sandwich give a Korean spin while Salads and Mac n’ Cheese also reach globally, it was setting aside simple Red Sauce or Pepperoni that a round Pie with Foccacia-like Crust was topped generously, the “Salad” half balancing convincing Confit Duck with Grapes, Pecans and Goat Cheese plus Bechamel while “Drunken Rooster” trended a little too sweet thanks to Balsamic Drizzle that, at least based on an obviously inaccurate menu, was only supposed to be on the Duck half.
www.upnorthpizzapub.com
