Yesterday I went out with six of my coworkers to visit one of the top rated pizza places in MSP, Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza located in North Loop (Warehouse District) only a few blocks from Target Field.
We walked in at around 11:45 and were quickly seated at a long table quickly created for us. We were immediately provided with menus, water, and asked about other drinks. Our server was patient, answered all of our questions confidently and knowledgeably, and did everything correctly from start to finish. We eventually placed our orders from the very tasty looking menu:
Large #4: Meatball, Ricotta and Garlic ($20)
Large #7 and #10 (half/half): Oyster Mushroom, Smoked Mozzarella, Rosemary and Garlic ($22), Cheese and Garlic ($13) both are without sauce
Small #3 and #7 (half/half): Hot Salami and Dried Chili Pepper ($9) and ($13)
Small #5 and #9 (half/half): Fennel Sausage, Hot Salami, Onion and Cracked Green Olives ($11), Fresh Tomato, Green Pepper and Kalamata Olives ($11)
Being that Black Sheep’s style can naturally be compared to other Neapolitan pizza places (Punch and Pizza Nea) I must admit that up until this point everything, aside from the ordering format, was very similar to the other popular pizza places. However, as soon as the pizzas arrived on the table it was clear that Black Sheep is completely and utterly different and brings pizza to a whole different level.
The pizzas themselves were much larger than I expected. While they put the sizes on the menu, I was still surprised at how large they were. In addition to the physical size, I was in awe of the amount of toppings covering each pie. Punch, while far less expensive, is stodgy and stingy and Nea, which many feel is a direct competitor to Black Sheep, is definitely less interested in piling on the extras.
The crust was crispy, yet fluffy, and had a gorgeous and inviting char which had my mouth watering.
At first bite I was amazed that I was able to taste each individual ingredient clearly. Even with the hot salami covering each and every slice, I was able to easily identify the cheese’s excellent flavor underneath. After one bite of each the #3 and #7 I was in love–head over heals in love. I later excitedly recounted the experience to my wife and said, “it’s the Corner Table of pizza,” and if you’re at all familiar with that review you will realize just what that means. If not, let me sum it up for you this way: RUN RIGHT NOW to Black Sheep. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Just go directly to Black Sheep and eat and eat and eat and eat some more.
By the end of our long lunch I tried the #3, #4, #5, and #7. While the #3 (hot salami and dried chilies) was my run away favorite (and it wasn’t due to the chilies people), each type of pizza was exceptional in every way. They stand head and shoulders above Punch and should make Pizza Nea shudder in fear over their excellent command of the genre. Simply and utterly amazing.
Overall Black Sheep was far and above the single best pizzas I have ever eaten. While I do not claim to be a pizza eating professional by any means, this is a pizza place which I will make the 30 minute drive to eat at time and time again because it’s worth every last little penny The Budget Nazi provides.
Have you ever eaten at Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza in Minneapolis? If so what did you think of it? What did you order? Based on the menu items and additional toppings allowed, what would you like to see on the pizza of your dreams? Whatever you have to say about Black Sheep pizza in the Warehouse District go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear what you have to say.
Address:
Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza
600 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone:
612-342-2625
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
See all the pictures from Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza in Minneapolis on Flickr here.
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January 27th, 2011 at 7:48 am
I totally agree! My favorite is the fennel sausage pizza. The other thing about htis place: they are fantastic with kids. I’ve brought my kids many times – even sat at the small bar with my boys before. They’ll split a root beer for them, they have books and coloring books, it’s really welcoming.
Best ingredients on a pizza in town, for sure. Maybe the best ingredients on any pizza I’ve ever had.
January 27th, 2011 at 8:23 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by garciasn and LazyLightning.org, Timothy Burke. Timothy Burke said: High praise from the ZaMeister. RT @garciasn: Possibly best pizzas of my life RT @SouthMetroNews Black Sheep Pizza: Mpls http://ow.ly/3KZCc [...]
January 27th, 2011 at 8:31 am
Nice! I haven’t really seen a bad review of this place yet. Keep meaning to get over there, this is one more reason to. Thanks for the review, Bill.
January 27th, 2011 at 8:43 am
No surprise in that review in my eyes. Sometimes I just get a cheese pizza when I go there with my vegetarian friend, and I still walk out in awe of how good a plain cheese pizza just tasted. It is one of two places in which I have been in the past year or two that I looked at the menu and decided I was going to try each and every item on it. Mostly done except for the mushroom/rosemary one. (Be’witched is the other place I have done that, and I completed that menu in 6 weeks)
Black Sheep is my favorite place to grab a bite before a Twins game if I get there at the right time. Don’t get me started on the differences in quality and quantity between an 11 dollar BS pizza and the $12 Murray’s steak sandwich at Target Field.
Looking forward to them opening up in downtown St. Paul in a few months.
Also, for those of you looking to watch your dollars, you can easily split a large pie here with water or sodas and get out for less than 10 bucks each. You will feel like you stole something.
January 27th, 2011 at 8:48 am
Martha and I love Black Sheep as well — definitely our favorite pizza in the Twin Cities. In fact we’re headed there for lunch today! I like all the pizzas, but I think the oyster mushroom/rosemary pie (#7) is something really special.
In terms of style, I think rather than comparing it directly to the Neapolitan places, it reminds me more of New Haven style pizzas, e.g. Frank Pepe’s or Modern in New Haven or Scholl’s in Portland, OR.
January 27th, 2011 at 8:52 am
worth a trip from a.v. for a to go?? i hit cossettas once in a while. it looks to be about the same distance??
bb
January 27th, 2011 at 8:54 am
Tom, I needed a local comparison for those who read here who are not well traveled and thus Punch and Nea fit in this instance.
bb, I find Cossetta’s to be ridiculously poor, overrated, and overpriced. So yeah, it’s worth the drive.
January 27th, 2011 at 9:03 am
but tasty:)
i’ll for sure give them a try.
thx
bb
January 27th, 2011 at 9:11 am
Nice write-up. Makes me want to try this soon. I do like going to Mesa Pizza in Dinkytown for their Mac N Cheese pizza before a Gophers game. I’ve got tix to the Friday hockey game and I may have to try BG instead.
January 27th, 2011 at 9:24 am
My mouth waters thinking of their cheese pizza. So simple and so perfect. And delicious cold the next day. Definitely worth the drive from AV!
January 27th, 2011 at 9:38 am
MB. I am astonished read that you were able to bring some home. I don’t think I have walked out of there with as much as a twig of lettuce from a salad left on the plate.
Kudos to your self restraint.
I also agree that Cossetta’s is lame. My kids “hearted” the plain pasta there for years, but I have looked at that menu it seems like 50 times over the years and I have never found an item that I am happy with. I am happy those kids have moved on, though it is a lot cheaper than when kid #1 asked the other day if she could go to Fogo for her Birthday. Cripes.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Great review. While I cant agree 100% on the pizza (just not my style I guess), the review still made me hungry.
I can agree 100% with Lefty on the Murrays Steak Sandwich at Target Field. I was horribly disappointed.
Still crave pizza from Hernando’s in Winter Park, CO or Beau Jo’s in Idaho Springs, CO.
January 27th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
glad you finally got there Bill… think i mentioned this place a while ago… your comments are right on… good ingredients, done well… nothing fancy. Substance over style. And…..tadaaaa Surly on Tap! (for Lefty)
murrays steak sandwich at Target field sucks… i am still waiting to get a Vincent burger there.
January 27th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
main problem with BS is they arent open for lunch, or they werent since i have been there
January 27th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Mulch,
It is open for lunch for as long as I can remember.
Don’t waste your money on a Vincent burger unless you are at Vincent’s A Restaurant. It just is not that good at the field.
January 27th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
I was there at 11:45 AM. So they are now open for lunch (and there wasn’t a table open when we left).
January 27th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
We love Black Sheep. It is yummy. Punch is overrated. Haven’t been to Nea. Still like Luce. Cosetta’s is terrible. Vincent burger – also yummy.
January 27th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Is it really neapolitan style? The photo doesn’t look like it. I hate neapolitan pizza.
January 27th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
dm, it’s similar in crust style. Please tell me you do not like Midwestern style. Gross.
January 27th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
I like the pizzas we make at home the best, honestly.
I didn’t have one single piece of pizza in italy that I loved.
Chicago style is prolly my fave. I like sauce.
January 28th, 2011 at 8:40 am
I think it’s worth mentioning that Black Sheep serves good beer, too! = )
It was very delicious; I loved the fact that the ricotta cheese on the #4 was in ADDITION to the regular cheese!
As I think I’ve mentioned before, my TC favorite pizzas are Fat Lorenzo’s & Galactic; but for neopolitan style, Black Sheep is a winner!
January 28th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
I went to Black Sheep for lunch today. Life is good.
January 28th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Galactic IS really good. I forgot about them. We went to Fat Lorenzo’s once years ago, and they served us a pizza that was soft and white on the bottom. Probably just mistake, but it turned us off on them.
I view different styles of pizza as different foods entirely. A Chicago pizza is just a different food than a neopolitan-style, etc. There are good pizzas, mediocre pizzas, and bad pizzas in all categories. I’ll gladly eat any GOOD pizza, regardless of style!
January 28th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Seldom happens, but I agree with Sandy in this case.
January 28th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Funny boyl
January 28th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Or funny boy.
January 28th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
“Seldom happens, but I agree with Sandy in this case.”
O.K., now I’m curious. Tell me more!
January 28th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
I just meant that often our opinions differ, but in this case I agree. There are many types of pizza, and all can be good or bad.
January 29th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
I’m kind of a fan of Ole Pipers, and Fat Lorenzo’s is okay (hate Cossetta’s). Ole Piper’s has a terrific family atmosphere that relaxes me, and many of the important moments in my family were marked there, so maybe it’s not the food. I still like it.
This place, though, sounds good. Valentine’s fare, perhaps?
My favorite topping on a pizza, btw, is olive, both green and black. Hm, wonder if that’s anything to do with my blood pressure? : (
January 30th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Sandy, you’re right, different kinds can be good, but for me, I hate neopolitan, I don’t like the crust, I don’t like New York style either. I’ve never found a pizza in these styles that I’ve liked.
January 30th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
is there close parking where i can dash in and grab a ‘take away’?? with out getting shot:)
bb
January 30th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
I think it’s all street parking.
March 7th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Heard a rumor that Black Sheep St. Paul is having their grand opening today. Have not confirmed this, however.
March 7th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
location??
bb
March 7th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
bb,
I think I read it is going in at 9th and Robert.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
The latest place for restaurants to post their info (rather than a website), Facebook says from a post 5 hours ago:
http://www.facebook.com/blacksheeppizza
April 10th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Nice to see that you went to Black Sheep, Bill. I couldn’t agree with you more in regards to the place. I went there back in December on a date and was absolutely blown away. Definitely one of, if not the best pizza I’ve ever had (especially around the Cities). We sat at the bar, and wound up getting the #3 (Hot Salami and Dried Chili Peppers), but had them add some pepperoni as well simply because I like to compare the pepperoni of different pizza joints, and couldn’t turn down the prospect of Hot Salami as well. To my surprise, they went quite well together. I washed it down with a couple pints of Surly and, even though the date was ok at best, I still left with a smile on my face. I have since recommended it to many friends, all of whom have enjoyed it (save for one that, for whatever reason, couldn’t get over the cost and actually said they’d prefer to spend less and get Pizza Hut) To each his own, I guess.
April 11th, 2011 at 9:41 am
As soon as our weight-loss contest is over, we’ll have to try the new Black Sheep in St. Paul, Bill. Also need to get over to the new Hmong marketplace on the East Side. I hear it’s bigger than Hmongtown on Como, but I find that hard to believe.
August 16th, 2011 at 10:50 am
We ate at the Black Sheep Pizza on Robert Street in St. Paul last night and really enjoyed it. Outstanding pizza, Surly beer, and a good house wine as well.
August 16th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Ate here for lunch today. The #4 was good, but the crust left a lot to be desired. The middle was way too thin and had already fallen apart when it got to my table. Perhaps it was just a one time deal where the dough was rolled/pounded too thin in the middle but at this point, I still prefer Punch.
August 17th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Thanks for confirming that Black Sheep is the best pizza in town, Dan N.
November 23rd, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I recently had lunch here for the second time. Amazing. On my first visit I had Cheese and Garlic, which was tasty, but this time I let my true colors show by ordering a #3 Hot Salami & Dried Chili Pepper with added Fennel Sausage and Garlic.
Though one of my dining companions repeatedly scoffed at my choice in ordering (I’m guessing more to razz me than because of any real pizza preferences), I was incredibly pleased with the combination. The salami was a little spicier than I expected, but I suppose that’s what they meant by hot.
Everything about the pizza was exactly what I wanted. Delightfully thin crust, not too much tomato sauce, not one but two flavorful meats, and enough garlic that even after 5 hours, another meal, and a thorough teethbrushing my husband made a face and asked what I had for lunch when I talked near him. Perfection.
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Your “dining companion” sounds like a complete tool.
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:53 pm
She wasn’t talking about me MSPD.
January 20th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
I have not been eating out much in recent months. Based on my poor planning though, I found myself at Black Sheep for lunch today after just eating at Lola last night. I am now glad I did this because I think I can more easily define why Black Sheep is still number one to me for Neapolitan style pie.
Simplicity.
While I really do appreciate the hard work and creative process Lola does to put so many differing flavors on their great crust, it is just the opposite of that at Black Sheep. When I bite into their basic sauce and cheese pizza and get the perfect mix of basically 3 things the perfect crust supporting an exacting amount of sauce and just the right amount of quality cheese is perfection.
That they start with that and offer such a high quality of ingredients that never overpower the “cheese pizza” experience makes it great, also at 75% of the price that Lola charges.
Also, this is now two places in about 18 hours that I have had to not order Furious when the tap is taunting me from oh so close to my face. I am not happy about this.
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