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Pizza Bob's at the corner of State & Hill streets just south of central campus, September 20, 2024, by Noah Tonn.
A Slice of Ann Arbor History
A Slice of Ann Arbor History
by Noah Tonn
In the ever-changing landscape of Ann Arbor Eateries, one place has remained a favorite for generations—Pizza Bob’s. Appreciated by University of Michigan students and community members for over 60 years, Pizza Bob’s has garnered recognition for its pizza, sandwiches, and signature milkshakes (Coffee). However, Pizza Bob’s has grown to be more than just a pizza place; it has a complex history that mirrors Ann Arbor’s evolution before becoming the beloved establishment Pizza Bob’s is today.
Founded in 1964 as Pizza Loy (named after its original owner Wilson Loy), the business began its legacy of delivering pizzas to local residents. Not long after its founding, Loy passed management onto Robert “Pizza Bob” Marsh, who add the businesses’ now-signature subs and all-new, unique, pizza recipe (“Our History”). Pizza Bob and his wife, Edith “Pizza Babe” Marsh soon became the face of the business, the two of them became known for “dolling out life advice," "collaborating" on new menu items, and making "a connection with each customer that [walked] through the door” (“Our History”).
Derived from Robert, the name Bob means “fame,” a definition reflective of Pizza Bob’s popularity across Ann Arbor (McNamara). After Bob Marsh died in 1972, the restaurant's name was changed to "Pizza Bob's" after the beloved Ann Arbor pizza icon (“Our History”). The new owners (former long-time managers) “Fast Eddie” Andrews and “Typical Tim” Seaver decorated the walls with University of Michigan memorabilia while maintaining the “friendly, family-owned atmosphere” (Coffee). They also took steps to expand the business, opening new locations including Taco Bob’s and Pizza Bob’s Pizza Truck that followed a route to dorms across Michigan’s campus (“Our History”).
Robert "Pizza Bob" Marsh short on display at the current restaurant, September 20, 2024 by Noah Tonn.
After several closures in the 1980s, the Pizza Bob’s re-established its home at the original location on State Street with a new, appropriately named owner: Bob Cranson (Rouvalis). Cranson honored the zealous enthusiasm locals came to expect from the restaurant, as recounted in a 1981 Michigan Daily article: “Bob bounds from customer to customer. ‘Anyone need help?...The phone interrupts his latest routine. ‘Pizza Bob’s. Land of the free. Home of the brave,’ he sings into the receiver” (Rouvalis).
Chipati sauce is a known commodity in Ann Arbor pizza parlors, including Pizza Bob's. The specialty sauce is even said to have been created in the 80s at another Ann Arbor pizza spot (“Chipati Sandwich”). Ann Arbor residents and University of Michigan alumni know it for its tangy taste, smothering wraps (Marowski). The best chipati remains a debate; but, Pizza Bob’s was recognized by the Michigan Daily in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s for its rendition, among mentions for the best pizza, subs, and takeout (Grass; “Our History”).
With the onset of the pandemic, the business relocated down the street to its current location at the corner of State and Hill. New owner Pam Pietryga tried "to bring as much of the original Pizza Bob’s atmosphere as they [could] to the new location” (Marowski). The pandemic shifted their economic focus to online sales of their famous chipati sauce, which then accounted for nearly half of their business (Maynard). Post-pandemic, Pizza Bob’s continues to thrive, with a similar charismatic staff, familiar Ann Arbor flavors, and a classic pizza-parlor feel; it remains a beloved spot for both residents and students alike.
Works Cited
McNamara, Emily. “Bob - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity.” The Bump, 2023, thebump.com/b/bob-baby-name. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
Coffee, Makayla. “Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Try Pizza Bob’s Secret Chipati Sauce or Milkshakes ‘to Die For.’” MLive, 17 Sept. 2022, mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/09/michigans-best-local-eats-try-pizza-bobs-secret-chipati-sauce-or-milkshakes-to-die-for.html. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.
Grass, Michael. “While Best of A2 Is Revealing, It Lacks Key Categories.” The Michigan Daily, 10 Apr. 2002, michigandaily.com/uncategorized/while-best-a2-revealing-it-lacks-key-categories/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.
“Our History.” Pizza Bob’s, 2016, pizzabobs.net/history. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
Marowski, Steve. “Ann Arbor’s Pizza Bob’s Moving 110 Feet down State Street for More Space.” MLive, 22 Aug. 2020, mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/08/ann-arbors-pizza-bobs-moving-110-feet-down-state-street-for-more-space.html. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
Maynard, Micheline. “A Flurry of Moves - Ann Arbor Observer.” Ann Arbor Observer, 8 Oct. 2020, annarborobserver.com/a-flurry-of-moves/. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
“Chipati Sandwich.” ABC Food America, 2016, www.abcfoodamerica.com/michigan/main-courses/chipati-sandwich-ewsc.html. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
Rouvalis, Christina. “Pizza Bob Rolls with Times.” The Michigan Daily, 13 Nov. 1981, p. 6, news.google.com/newspapers?id=BA9KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ih4NAAAAIBAJ&dq=pizza%20bob%20august%201971&pg=2853%2C3580028. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
Tonn, Noah. Outside of Pizza Bob's. 20 Sep., 2024, Author's personal collection.Tonn, Noah. Robert "Pizza Bob" Marsh t-shirt. 20 Sep., 2024, Author's personal collection.
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