While out on Black Friday doing some shopping for ourselves at Half Price Books in Apple Valley, MN, I noticed that the now defunct Starbucks location across from Chipotle and next to Subway has been replaced by HomeMade Pizza Company.

HomeMade Pizza Company specializes in the recent phenomenon of “take and bake pizza” which has been popularized by Papa Murphy’s and is now opening in several locations around the metro including Apple Valley, MN.

While I haven’t been eating pizza recently, for obvious reasons, I have been known to eat pizza and do have a good handle on what makes a great pie. I have yet to eat anything in Minnesota that I can consider “great” and the closest thing I can find to a decent pizza is Punch but they are certainly not in the same genre as HomeMade Pizza Company will be.

I did some research and found a review that recently showed up in the Star Tribune (you can read about it here for now) but based on other experiences with their lame results from other glowing reviews (such as El Patio in Lakeville, MN) I will have to suggest you take it with a large grain of salt.

I have eaten take and bake pizza before from Papa Murphy’s in Apple Valley and I can’t say that I walked away with any impression that would make me understand why they were voted “Best Pizza Chain in America” 5x but based on the fact that they completely shy away from the entire East Coast, I would guess that it has a lot to do with that.

Chris and Laura (Kim’s cousin) taught us how to make an amazing roasted pear, mushroom and pesto pizza which takes two minutes to prep, ten to cook and costs far less than the average $14 pizza and fifteen minute pizza + drive pizza from HomeMade Pizza Company, I’m not sure why anyone would bother.

If Starbucks couldn’t survive in Apple Valley at that location, I can’t see HomeMade Pizza doing all that well either. Only a short time will tell.

See all the pictures from my quick photo-op with HomeMade Pizza Company here (mobile).

Out at the Minnesota RollerGirls bout with the Rockits vs the Duke City Derby’s Muencas Muertas and the Atomic Bombshells vs the Denver Roller Dolls‘ Mile High Club.

Opening entertainment was by the Twin Cities Unicycle Club and a half-time show by the Bratwurst Brothers. I took some great videos of the Unicycle Club, who were National Champs this summer, who put on an absolutely awesome show. The smallish crowd went wild for them! If you ever have an opportunity to see them perform, do so and you won’t be disappointed.

Kevin reminded me that the first 200 people through the door would get a free t-shirt, very much like the last bout, Trick or Beat. Kim and I arrived before 5:10 and were about 8th in line. Woot! They took better care to ensure the line was orderly so everyone that qualified on their t-shirt. They only had Small and Large (much like last time) and they look pretty fucking sweet with a mean bitch holding a turkey on the front. Kim was hoping for a shirt that wasn’t Thanksgiving themed but no such luck for her.

After we nabbed our seats right up front I headed over to the concession stand to pickup some waters and a snack for Kim. Unfortunately for Centerplate (the suckass douches that they are) they were not taking credit cards tonight. It’s really a serious fucking pain in the ass to have to carry cash along with all of our other shit and I enjoy the convenience of using a CC. Well there will be no purchases by me tonight. Tough shit for Centerplate and their revenue — hopefully they learn their lesson and if any of you assholes are out there an apology for being retarded would rock.

The Rockits started it off really slow. No one, including several of the RollerGirls sitting trackside in front of us, knew what the fuck they were doing but whatever it was it wasn’t scoring many points. Thankfully the team work and blocking came together by the end of the period and the Rockits went in tied 49-49.

Before the Bombshells’ came out, the announcer from Denver (decked out in an undersized repairman’s outfit with shorts and cowboy boots) introduced their team and I spent this time laughing hysterically at him. Rumblebee turned around from her track-side seat and said, “Girls need their entertainment too!” heh!
The Atomic Bombshells came out of the gate slow as well during their period. Kevin made the good point that Denver’s girls probably aren’t even close to being winded due to their training at altitude. Both teams weren’t bumping much but when the hard hits came, they rocked. The Bombshells went in after the period close but still down 63 to 43. Bummer.

The Bratwurst Brothers, apparently the new name of Alpenrose, came out and gave another awesome polka show encouraging (and succeeding) everyone to come down and party on the floor. They should seriously stop fucking around with the other acts and just make them the only half-time entertainment show as they absolutely fucking rule.

The Rockits were back at it after half-time playing a physical game but the scoring remained minimal. I have heard the rumors but it really seemed like the changes made to their match style has hurt them. In the end they lost the bout 81 to 76. I can’t say I’m all that impressed with what I saw come out of the 2008 Rockits so far :(

The Atomic Bombshells got absolutely smoked during the second period. They were out skated, out blocked, and just outclassed. Once Denver passed 100 the fights should have started and the penalties racking up faster than points for the other team. Unfortunately no such thing occurred and the bout went on for 15 more boring minutes and ended with a score of 113 to 69.

Overall another fun but nearly engery-less and nearly empty (fan wise) bout. I really think that the change in track-side seating has taken the wind out of the sails of the MN RG :( Fuck insurance companies and bring back the excitement! Seriously.