Goodrich-Steve McGinnis had driven past Big Jake’s Pizza and Shakes each day on his way to work.
‘One day I noticed a ‘For Sale? sign up in front,? said McGinnis, a 1985 Davison High School graduate and Grand Blanc Township resident. ‘Then when it said ‘Price Reduced? I thought we should be there’I’ll run it.?
Big Jake’s was purchased from Todd Mann, who converted the former Goodrich Post office building a few years ago.
So McGinnis, a material planner for General Motors and Lear Corporation, along with his father Bryce, an auto worker in the Flint area for more than 40 years, became partners and Big Jake’s Pizza and Shakes was back in business.
‘We made some changes to the pizza recipe,? said McGinnis, who attended business classes at Central Michigan University. ‘We’ve introduced a three cheese blend topping, muenster, provolone and mozzarella along with a new sauce which includes romano and Parmesan cheese.?
Big Jake’s is home to an unearthly pizza oven that allows customers to watch their pizza bake-in just a few minutes.
‘It has a heated stone deck, infrared overhead convection oven with a flicker flame unit,? said McGinnis. ‘It rotates the pizza once every three minutes and heats to about 700 degrees.?
The huge stainless steel unit is round, housing a thick rotating pizza stone that’s five feet in diameter.
The rapid pizza production is necessary, says McGinnis, for the busy supper time business and after Friday night Martian football games.
‘We’re open for the lunch now,? says McGinnis. ‘Hot flatbread sandwiches, salads and Classic Old Fashion Ice Cream for dessert.?
Big Jake’s Pizza and Shakes, 10230 Hegel Road, Goodrich is open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (248) 636-5253.