New Schaumburg pizza rolling in dough ... and sauce, and toppings ...
Steve Taube has fond memories of his father, Tom, making pizza on Sunday evenings at their Roselle home.
"If we were eating at 5:30, my dad would start the dough at 3 o'clock," Steve says. Friends and family would join the Taube family for the thin crust sausage pizza.
Tom and his son Steve recently opened a pizzeria using the dough and sauce recipes that are have been in the family for years.
"Those are the two most important parts," said Steve, 25, who runs the day to day operations of the establishment, which also serves salads and appetizers.
Pi's Pizzeria, which offers carryout and delivery, is at 245 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg. The father and son team say they have always wanted to open a pizza place.
"This is what I love to do. I work 90 hours a week, but it's what I love," Steve said. "My dad always said, 'If you love what you do - you don't work a day in your life.'"
Along with the traditional sausage and pepperoni pizzas, Steve enjoys making pizzas with unusual toppings. A top seller is the barbecue rib pizza with barbecue sauce, ribs (without the bones of course), Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. The individual pizza sells for $9.35 while the 16-inch is $17.55.
One of the most popular picks is the tavern French fry pizza topped with a ketchup/pizza sauce, a mound of fries, cheeses and bacon. Spinach artichoke, fajita, chicken Parmesan, Philly cheesesteak and chicken Alfredo are other pizza selections on the menu.
Steve created the menu using recipes he came up with while working at a local bar. When it was slow at the bar, he'd create his own pizzas with "crazy toppings." He would then serve it to the bar patrons. "The people went nuts," Steve said.
The name of the establishment is taken from a nickname Steve's father gave to him about 10 years ago.
"I love math," Steve said, adding that he memorized the number for the math symbol pi years ago.
Pi also means infinite possibility, which also describes the business, Steve said. His father continues to run his business KDS, a Schaumburg company that exports fasteners and screws. Tom named it nearly 20 years ago after his children, Kelly, Danny and Steve.
Steve admits that the economy is not ideal for starting a new venture.
"It's tough. The hardest part is getting your name out there," he said. He adds that everything he makes is made by and made to order. The establishment is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. For more, check out pizzafrompi.com or call (847) 891-6800.
• Kim Mikus' columns appear Tuesday through Friday. She welcomes comments at kmikus@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4567.