North Shore Pizza and Subs presents authentic East Coast-style pizzas

By Alesia Mayfield, Eastside News

“East Coast-style pizza and subs shop. Quality food at affordable prices” is how Dennis Laubner describes his five-month-old restaurant, North Shore Pizza and Subs located at 4503 Monona Drive. What separates North Shore Pizza and Subs, in the former Rossi’s Pizza & Vintage Arcade space, from other pizza joints in the neighborhood is that, according to Laubner, he “brings a locally owned pizza place in a landscape of chains.”

A real mom-and-pop establishment is what Laubner calls his restaurant. He co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Savannah. The pizzas are hand tossed, East Coast, New York-style pizzas. East Coast pizzas are characterized as being traditional pizzas. They have a thin, crispy crust and are made with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce and toppings such as meat and vegetables. A review from Madison.com said that North Shore Pizza and Subs “brings something increasingly rare in the area these days: casual, fast, reasonably priced, delicious, nonchain food.”

The sandwiches are made with freshly baked bread, and the pastrami sub is a signature item. North Shore Pizza and Subs also cuts their own vegetables and french fries, and onion rings are also on the menu. The eatery also offers specialty pizzas like Mediterranean, fajita and Buffalo chicken. Vegetarian items, pasta and a kid’s menu are available as well. Online ordering is available via EatStreet.

Laubner came from the North Shore region of Boston, hence the name. The menu is crafted around the foods he loved while living on the East Coast. He’s been in the restaurant business for 15 years and has worked his way up from the bottom. North Shore Pizza and Subs is the first restaurant that he’s owned.

The Laubners moved to Madison because of a job opportunity for Savannah. He saw being a restauranteur as his way of being his own boss. Though Savannah is a co-owner, she’s not as hands on as her husband because she has another full-time job. Currently, there are eight employees.

Laubner thinks that the restaurant scene in Madison is great and loves the city’s diversity in its dining options. He said that business is better than expected, and with its location near Monona Grove High School, they get a lot of students dropping in.

For the menu and business hours, visit northshorepizzaandsubs.com.