Upper Crust Pizza Still Rising After All These Years

Whitefish Bay doesn't have any local pizza places, but it's not far away. All you have to do for a good slice is cross the village limits at Hampton Road and Santa Monica Boulevard.

has been serving up pizzas, burgers and other foods at 249. E Hampton Road in Milwaukee since the 1970s. The menu also features cheesesteaks, hoagies, salads, sandwiches and appetizers.

The restaurant is mainly a delivery and carry-out restaurant, containing just two small tables for patrons to dine at if they choose.

Upper Crust has been through a few owners since it first opened its doors around 30 years ago. The current owner, Randy Schlegel, recently won the Blue Ribbon Award from TMJ4 for clean dining.

Jordan Cory, a 20-year-old cook and driver for Upper Crust Pizza, has followed in his father’s footsteps by working at this cozy pizza place, because he enjoys the laid-back atmosphere.

“My dad is about 40 years-old and he worked here when he was a teenager,” he said.

As any food service employee can tell you, there are certain dishes that are enjoyable to make. Cory likes to make pizzas and burgers, his all-time favorite though is one with many toppings.

“My favorite thing to make would probably have to be a classic deluxe pizza, which has mushroom, onions, green peppers, pepperoni, sausage," he said. "It looks so awesome when you’re done with it.”

Despite its more than three decades of history in the area, restaurant employees say it has not experienced the economic decline like other local businesses have.

“We get a fair amount of business," Cory said. "We’re pretty busy, especially Fridays and Saturdays. I think one of the biggest things is we’ve been around so long and everyone here knows this place has been around and we’ve been open forever...and this is pretty much the closest pizza place for all of Whitefish Bay and Fox Point and Shorewood.”

Dan Purcell, a 22-year-old cook, likes working at Upper Crust because of the low-key environment.  

“It kinda makes you as an employee more important, because you’re less replaceable,” said Purcell. “I’ve been here for two years, and I’m almost irreplaceable.”

Schlegel said Upper Crust has been a popular place for high school and college students to work over the years, and he is always looking to expand his staff.

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