You can change a lot of things about a pizza.
The toppings, cheese, crust, shape and size can all be custom-tailored to individual tastes. But what about the sauce?
The sauce is the heart and soul of any good pizza, but at most pizza parlors, it’s usually the only thing that stays the same on every single pie.
Not at Guido’s Premium Pizza, which prides itself on being ‘The Savory Sauce Boss.?
According to founder and owner Shawn McGuire, a 1988 Lake Orion High School graduate, Guido’s will continue to live up to this motto by offering a new white sauce pizza in May.
‘It’s kind of like a mild ranch flavor,? McGuire said. ‘It’s unique. It gives people a choice, something different. We’re staying innovative.?
McGuire said white sauce pizza makes up 50 percent of all pie sales on the east coast and a third on the west coast. However, in the Midwest, ‘nobody knows about it,? McGuire said. ‘It’s an untapped market.?
The white sauce pizza will be introduced to the public with a trio of tasty toppings ? chicken, tomato and onion ? specifically designed to complement the sauce’s flavor.
‘It will also be available for custom orders,? he said.
Cucumber sauce is another savory innovation Guido’s currently offers it’s legion of loyal customers.
The cucumber sauce is the heart of Guido’s popular ‘Gourmet Greek? pizza, a 12-inch round featuring gyro meat, fresh tomatoes, onions, feta cheese and oregano.
‘It’s the same type of sauce that comes on gyro sandwiches, except it’s on a pizza,? McGuire said. ‘It’s a phenomenal pizza. You won’t find anything like it anywhere else.?
For those who prefer the more traditional style pizzas, Guido’s offers a trio of tomato-based sauces, each with its own unique character and flavor.
There’s ‘Guido’s Original Recipe? which consists of fresh oregano and garlic mixed with their famous tomato sauce and spices.
Or try Guido’s ‘Chunky Tomato,? consisting of chunks of crushed tomato mixed with Guido’s Original Recipe. A chunk of tomato is guaranteed in every bite.
For those who want to spice things up a little, try Guido’s ‘Fire Roasted with Tabasco? sauce comprised of peppers, onions, special spices and Tabasco sauce.
With such delectable sauces, it’s no wonder Guido’s was voted the #1 pizza in 2001 and #2 pizza in 2002 by citysearch.com
Although it’s hard to believe, man cannot live by pizza alone.
That’s why Guido’s offers a mouth-watering selection of premium pastas, fresh salads, flavored breads, chicken wings, seasoned potato wedges, premium sub sandwiches and desserts.
‘There’s something for everyone,? McGuire said.
The only thing growing faster than Guido’s delicious menu and armies of devoted customers is the business itself.
McGuire opened the first Guido’s in the Oxford Mills Shopping Center (1396 S. Lapeer Rd., 969-2111) on April 3, 1993.
Ten years later Guido’s now has eight stores with locations in Bloomfield/Pontiac (248-333-0033, at Opdyke and Square Lake roads); Shelby/Macomb (586-566-3131, at 21 Mile and Hayes); Sterling Heights/Troy (586-795-0055, at 17 mile and Ryan); Royal Oak/Clawson (248-288-8000, at Maple and Coolidge); Waterford (248-623-7077, at 1/2 mile west of Airport Rd.); Shelby/Washington (586-786-6600, at 26 Mile and Van Dyke); and the newest location Troy/Birmingham (same phone number and location as Royal Oak/Clawson).
Guido’s locations in Sault Ste. Marie and on the east side are currently in the works.
To help promote the ever-expanding Guido’s Premium Pizza empire, McGuire said he’s employed the services of Marketing Director Kevin Steeland, who owns the firm PromoFish (248-212-3213)
Steeland is the former marketing director for Papa Romanos.
‘We’re really stepping up our advertising,? McGuire said. ‘We have the same high quality ads as those from the big chains.?
For information on franchise opportunities visit Guido’s website at www.guidospizza.com.