Frank called from us from KZEL 96.1 to reconfirm what we had just heard on the radio: Yes Jeff Murry had said in his apparent stone’r tone of voice on air “Yeah man how about a peanut butter pizza” Frank didn’t skip a beat on Air, and just replied in his Sicilian cool “We’ll send it right over”

So as per franks phone instruction I fired the blank, as Randy and Steve went to the market for Chunky Jiff and Strawberry Preserves.
We all verged as Frank returned to the restaurant and under the direction of the Godfather of delectable Mazzi’s pizzas. Who personally sliced the cooked plain crust following up with slathering it with butter dripping down between the sliced pieces and artistically placed the warming peanut butter and chunks of preserved berries over every eatable each of want some might argue was the very first PB&J pizza with in America or at least within a 2300 mile radius.

As of this posting with a sad heart I’ve come to find out that the Portland Mazzi’s has close, but when in Eugene stop by and mention the story to Frank he might consider placing it on the menu once again for a time. It was an enormous hit for the longest time and even made Papa, Mama & Mary Mazzi’s proud of Frank’s new found success , not to mention the rest of the original crew working there at the time.

P.S.

The PB&J Pizza was also personally endorsed by Paul Olswang a Comic Art genius who was commissioned by Frank to create the Smiling Sun Mazzi’s Logo. As well as others of the era Steve Perfontaine, Rich Brooks, Dan Fouts and, as rumor might have it, is still a personal favorite of Phil Knight.

Best to you all, Mike Oran

East of Chicago Pizza Company Peanut Butter & Jelly Dessert Pizza

Submitted to recipegoldmine.com by a former East of Chicago Pizza employee.

1 can plain self-rising pizza dough or other
plain pizza dough of your choice
1 small jar Jif Brand peanut butter
1 small jar Smuckers brand strawberry preserves

Place pizza dough on cookie sheet or in pizza pan.

Take peanut butter and microwave with lid off for 30-45 seconds or until peanut butter has runny consistency. Pour small amount of peanut butter over crust, spreading around with a knife until you achieve a light coating on your dough.

Take part of strawberry preserves (about 1/3 to 1/2 of jar and place in a bowl. Break preserves up so they are easily spreadable. Spread preserves over top of peanut butter.

Place pizza in oven at 375-400 degrees F for about 8-10 minutes, keeping and eye on it. When the crust is golden brown and the jelly is bubbling, the pizza is done. Cut and serve while still warm.

Makes a great dessert.

CAUTION!!! Be Careful while cutting pizza. The jelly is hot and can burn you. Let cool slightly before serving but still serve while it is warm.

ENJOY!

!st: attempt I burnt the peanut butter. lol smucker with jelly in peanut butter

2nd: attempt I placed smuckers natural peanut butter and strawberry jelly

Here is what I think and will retry this week. (1) I need to use creamy peanut butter and (2) the jelly needs to be jam ran thru a blender so it can creamy also and swirled onto peanut. butter. I remember watching food net work when they showed the pizzaria in chicago and everyone there said the looks left alot to be desired. But that the taste was awe some. I myself can no teat this so I have to depend on others to tell ya or na. I do need to figure this out by Friday night for the youth group.