Giovanni’s Pizza
Growing up, we all had reasons to wallow in self-pity, anxiety, and misery during our childhood and adolescent years. During these awkward phases of life, I wore husky size jeans, wet the bed, battled terrible acne, and couldn’t socialize with girls. Yet I cannot recall feeling perpetually unhappy. Yes, there were times of frustration and loneliness; but unhappiness, no. While I was too young and accustomed to my good fortune to realize it at the time, the difference for me was my family.
There are countless fond family memories upon which I could reflect. But today I wish to dwell on one brought upon by my Spanish writing assignment. It asked me to think about a favorite childhood food and memories associated with it. Without any hesitation, for me it was Giovanni’s Pizza.
When Paul and I attended elementary school at Park Christian, the days were long. Since our mom worked at the school, we arrived daily by 8 a.m. or earlier and left at 5 p.m. or later. After classes ended at 3:10 p.m., the afternoons were filled with Oregon Trail and Number Munchers on the computer, basketball practice, severe hunger, and sheer boredom.
During those years, Wednesday afternoons were often a respite in the dull routine. Since our parents didn’t end work until after 5 and we had to be at church between 6 and 7 on Wednesdays, that often meant a trip to Giovanni’s Pizza for supper. With the financial aid of a Preferred Coupon Book, we chowed down. Standard fare consisted of a large pepperoni and a medium Italian sausage pizza, accompanied by bottomless glasses of Mountain Dew or Dr. Pepper. Whether Dad picked us up at school or we went over there with Mom to meet him, Paul and I loved it. While waiting for the pizza, we would play games on the billiard table only using the cue ball or look at the video games without actually sticking in a quarter to play. Other days, we’d nestle in front of the big screen TV to watch Family Matters and laugh at Steve Urkel. But no matter what, on Wednesdays, we felt like kings.
These suppers held no significance for me at the time. But now as I reflect upon childhood, I find great joy in these simple memories. What made Wednesday special was the time shared with my parents and my brother Paul. While it didn’t seem like it to our adolescent stomachs, the food was ancillary. When experts talk about quality time with children, even routine events like feeding them supper are important. I thank God for the family he gave me and special, timeless moments like eating at Giovanni’s Pizza.
Remember that annoying Simpsons video game?
Man that pizza was awesome. Bad for the G.I. tract, but good for the soul. You never did know if the pizza was going to be awesome, or really crappy. It all depended on the quality of the under 18 workers that night 
Yeah, I remember the Simpsons game! That was back when we thought the Simpsons were really bad. Funny how times change. Now I watch them in Spanish. I think those workers were usually unmotivated college students or high school seniors.
Do you remember when Giovanni´s used to be in the Brookdale Mall? I can’t remember what it looked like inside though. My vivid memories are only of the Center Mall location. Are they still open? I also remember buying mountains of “no bake” pizzas for our birthday parties. That was back before Papa Murphy’s ruled the roost.
I do remember the Brookdale location. I don’t remember the inside though. Yes, the no-bake pizzas. Those were awesome. You needed about 10 of them for 4 people just to fill you up.
I think it still exists, though it’s now called “Gio’s Pizzeria.” See for yourself:
http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-23,GGLG:en&q=gio’s pizza moorhead,mn&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl
I really want one now. I remember that I used to burn the roof of my mouth every time. Each Wed. night, I would have a burned mouth and a “bubbling” GI from that pizza. It literally was like a frag grenade for the system…
Kyle,
Your memories of this are much more vivid than mine. Reading this brought back a lot of memories and detail I had forgotten…must be getting older and forgetting. Keep up the writing. It’s great!!
I also would like a Giovanni’s Pizza right now. In fact, I’d take any pepperoni pizza! Why o why do they not have them here?!
Too bad blogs weren’t around when we were growing up. I think it will be fun to make a family blog with my wife & kids one day. I guess it could be done the old fashioned way by scrapbooking, but that’s more girly and not as geeky.
It’s amazing that this is such a vivid memory. I actually think about our great Giovanni’s feasts from time to time. You’re right, the Simpson’s video game was so annoying that I think I unplugged it.
I’m glad you guys have good memories of Giovanni’s. At the time, it seemed to get old eating there as many times as we did, but it was a nice family time together. It’s also a good reminder to me of where we once were because at the time it was a stretch to spend $12 for a meal.
I remember it being a stretch too. I knew it was this way and that you guys were often left without a choice because of the constraints of time on Wednesdays. I also know it was never easy feeding two boys. We definitely have a lot to be grateful for.