MARKET PIZZA
The Isolation Blues;
reflections during covid-19
Today’s post is a casual food review of one of the newest restaurants in downtown Houlton, Market Pizza. To be honest, I’m just looking for any excuse to hang out at a local business in Houlton’s historic Market Square, one of my favorite places anywhere in the United States. Although there have been countless changes in Market Square over the past 150 years, the basic layout is still recognizable even today. My childhood memories are never too far away when I walk the downtown. The owner of Market Pizza, Fred Grant, said this was one of the reasons he chose the downtown location for the pizzeria. The decor of Market Pizza reflects the history of Houlton and many of the downtown businesses from years ago. The large canvas artwork of old Houlton photos is one of the best collections in town. There are also flashy reproductions of vintage signage from old Houlton businesses that have come and gone and are now back again on Market Pizza’s walls (see photo below). As I tried to recollect what store had been in the same space as the current day Market Pizza, Chris Putnam (WHOU radio personality and Market Pizza staff beer guru) confirmed my pick, the old Western Auto store. Originally the Western Auto included both Market Pizza and the business next door, Shiretown Coin, as a dividing wall was constructed sometime in the 1980s. I remember buying a Western Flyer 5-speed bicycle there in 1972.
The menu offers a wide selection of pizza, wings, appetizers and salads along with calzones and stromboli. Pizzas are available in 10”, 16”, 18” and by the slice. On more than one occasion the slice of pizza I ordered wouldn’t fit in the box (one slice is plenty). So far I’ve tried the market-rita, taco, meat lovers, pesto, combo and the classic pepperoni. The potato pizza is getting rave reviews, but as of yet, I haven’t ordered it. Today I tried “The Dave” which is a combination of sliced sausage, fresh mushrooms and onions. I figured there must be a story behind that name and it turns out Dave is Fred Grant’s cousin whose favorite toppings are featured on this pizza. I’m not a big fan of mushrooms, but I must say, it’s a darn good combination. I would order it again. Market pizza reminds me of the pizza I’ve had in Boston; it’s a relatively thin crust with sweet-tangy red sauce and just the right amount of cheese. The edges are crispy, plenty of sauce and there’s variance in the flavors as you eat your way across the slice. They have a beast of an oven in the kitchen and I call it a conveyor-type where the pizza makes its way in one end and out the other. Market Pizza also features Maine brewed beers, wine and hard cider. They have 8 taps for draft beer and regularly rotate new offerings. Today I tried a Masons stout from Masons in Brewer and the waitress also gave me a small sample of Masons Hipster which is an IPA; light, crisp and not too hoppy. The Backwoods Blog gives Market Pizza 5 stars out of 5 stars.
One of our new favorite things for Linda and I to do is pizza and a movie in Market Square. We go early to Market Pizza, take our time enjoying our meal, the atmosphere, the people and the vibe and then we walk across the square to the historic Temple Cinema for a good movie. Usually I’m so full I have to skip the popcorn…Keeping your dollar local, seeing people you know and appreciating what you have in your community is a good night out.
Hanging Out At Market Pizza,
Dave
December 9, 2021
