Archived Spotlight Stories : Gem City Pizzeria and Mexican

“When people come back home for the holidays, we have people here from California, Arkansas, Florida, you name it. They tell us that they’ve got to eat here while they are in town. There’s nothing like it anywhere else,” says manager Jeff Laaker, who started at the company in 1979 as a delivery person.

And, there’s not. The pizza sauce and pork topping is homemade, as is the complimentary salsa that guests enjoy with tortilla chips while they wait for their orders. Even the margaritas, made with Sauza gold tequila, are made with a secret recipe. Laaker’s not sharing it.

Jeff McLean purchased Gem City Pizzeria from Herb and Edna Schneider in 1972. The restaurant was located at 217 N. 7th Street and simply sold pizza and Pepsi. McLean moved the business to its current location in 1979, shortly before the menu was expanded to include Mexican entrees.

“I’d say our orders are split about 60 percent pizza and 40 percent Mexican,” says Laaker. “You know, 30 years ago, Quincy didn’t have all the Mexican options it has today, so we really filled a niche back then. People like our pizza and style of Mexican and they keep coming back.”

In fact, Laaker estimates that 80-90 percent of his patrons are repeat customers.

“On a weekend night, we’ll turn these tables over three, four, maybe even five times,” says Laaker. “Some customers are willing to wait 45 minutes to an hour for a seat.”

The crowd is equally as impressive during the week, as Gem City Pizzeria and Mexican offers $1 tacos on Mondays and Tuesdays, half-price Mexican entrees on Wednesdays and $6.99 one-toping family pizzas on Thursdays. In addition to margaritas, they also offer bottled beer and wine.

“Our Jeff’s Special Pizza is very popular. It’s got sausage, pepperoni, ham, mushroom and extra sauce—a very good combination. Our most popular Mexican entrée is our fajitas. 

“We focus on keeping our food as fresh as possible, reasonable pricing and good service,” he continues. “Many of our employees have been with us for 10 years or longer. They are young, but they are adults and they are very good. I’ve been here so long that I can remember when some of our customers were just little kids making a mess.”

Gem City Pizzeria and Mexican is open daily from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Customers can dine in, carry out or ask for delivery. Call 228-0550 with your order or visit www.quincyfoodandfun.com for more information.