Grampa's Pizzeria

“I first stopped into Grampa's a couple of years ago while my partner and I were visiting Madison from Champaign, Illinois. We loved both the food and the atmosphere so much that when we found ourselves back in Madison over Memorial Day weekend, we knew we had to visit Grampa's again—and we weren't disappointed. The food was just as outstanding as we remembered, and the staff was incredibly welcoming. The service was attentive and friendly, which made the experience even better. It certainly doesn't hurt that you can grab a cocktail next door while you wait for a table, either. Grampa's remains one of our favorite spots in Madison, and we'll definitely be back the next time we're in town.”

“Delicious! Everything was fresh, and creative. If you are looking for a place with creative and well executed thin crust pizzas this is the spot. We had a whole bunch of pizzas and a variety of sides. Service was fantastic. The Roasted veggies, Barbarini, and Curry squash were standout items for us.”

“Nathan was amazing at the bar. Got us in last minute on a game day and treated us very well. Honestly would go with the Cheese pie to really taste just how quality their pizza is. The crostini pate appetizer wasn’t our biggest favorite but I’d definitely come back”

“Dining at Grampa's Pizzeria in Madison is an absolute treat! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a casual meal with family or friends. The pizzas are a standout, with a perfectly crispy crust, rich and flavorful sauce, and generous toppings that make every bite a delight. And don't miss out on their chocolate mousse – it's the best in town! Creamy, decadent, and the perfect way to end your meal. The friendly staff add to the overall wonderful dining experience, always welcoming you with a smile and providing top-notch service. Highly recommend Grampa's Pizzeria for a fantastic dining.”

“Chef Gilbert Altschul and team have been slinging pies at Grampa's since 2013. A couple local media scandals and a glowing Portnoy review later, I took dear Mom to check it out for Mother's Day. I'm grasping for constructive criticism after what was a wholly positive experience. I already know what I want to order when I go back, and if that experience goes equally well, I'll bump my score up to a 5. Mom was rapturous about her finoccio pie's sweet fennel sauce and crispy crust, and I really enjoyed the squash curry pizza. Grampa's pizzas feature a wealth of textures (e.g. creamy coconut squash meets crunchy sprouts) and complementary flavors (notably smoky, spicy, and sweet on our selections), and it's clear that a shrewd culinary mind designed them. They appear to have execution down pat as well. They even let you split the pizza 50/50 if you order specialties, which is awesome. Topping it off, the internet-hyped sticky ginger cake lived up to that hype. Service was great. Right away, our server explained what two people would typically find filling (one small plate plus one pizza or two pizzas), and that seems like good advice. The atmosphere is quaint and not-to-be missed. Willy Street does this well, in general. My only recommendations: 1. Could have used more crunch (pistachios) on the cake. 2. Searched in vain for a protein option that seemed to meld well with the squash curry pie (eggs, maybe?). 3. Likewise, searched in vain for a small plate that seemed to match well with squash curry pizza and ginger cake (which had the ginger throughline tying them together). If you like this style of pizza (this is critical) -- tavern-style crust underneath California-style toppings -- I don't think you can go wrong here. DIY Score - 3 (1 = easiest to replicate; 5 = hardest to replicate) Do I feel like I (a mediocre chef) could make this at home? Did the chef source superior and/or rare ingredients? Experience Score - 4 (1 = worst atmosphere, worst service; 5 = best atmosphere, best service) Is the restaurant a remarkable setting? Is the staff carrying their weight in terms of overhead cost? Competitiveness / Value Score - 4 (1 = least competitive, worst value; 5 = most competitive, best value) Does the combination of price, quality, replicability, and uniqueness set this restaurant apart? How "sticky" is this place -- which is to say, how eager am I to return soon? Identity Score - 3 (1 = least unique, creative, memorable; 5 = most unique, creative, memorable) Is this a place that tourists need to check out? Will I be reliving this meal in my mind 1, 2, or 10 years from now? On my deathbed?”