Going to HJ for a birthday was always big. They came out to the table with a horn and you got a sundae. Pretty great and without a doubt there was always multiple birthday parties when you went. #crankhorn
Happy Joe's overseas
- Thread starter dahliaclone
- Start date
I made my share of dough at the Ames location back in the day. There wasn't a job at that store that I didn't do from time to time. Between fresh dough made every day and no artificial fillers in their meats and cheeses there was a reason Happy Joe's cost a little more but it was reflected in the quality.
I was sad to see it go, but given the repeated flooding at that location and Hank's age, it didn't make sense for him to take out another loan to get it open again. If anyone wants to say "hi" to Hank he usually can be found tailgating at the fire engine on game days. Given the move of the RV lots I'm not sure where exactly that will be this coming year though.
I love taco pizza but never order it because I am always disappointed when I order it anywhere else. I should probably make my own since I know a few of the tricks that made the HJ taco unique.
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Not to veer too far off topic (Well it is CF, so that's expected, I suppose) but when I'm first back from Florida in the spring I HAVE to do Rudy's for Cheese and Onion enchilada and the smothered Chicken enchilada. Usually the West Kimberly location, but I actually think the one on 4th Street in that old converted movie theater is the best.
That's the most random thing I've ever seen.
Maybe a Maderite in Syria would top it.
Happy Joe's in WDM was my first job in high school. Terrible job, and the owner went bankrupt leading to them closing, but I will vouch for their taco pizza over anyone elses.
It's been a few years since I've lived in Eastern IA but they still had a pretty good amount on locations there. Their chorizo taco pizza on pan crust is a must try. So damn good.
It's been a few years since I've lived in Eastern IA but they still had a pretty good amount on locations there. Their chorizo taco pizza on pan crust is a must try. So damn good.
I think they've been there for a long time. Since the 70s. I remember hearing/reading about it back then. I can't remember the link as to how it came to be that they opened in Egypt.
The one in Tipton lost it's franchise. Went there quite a bit when it was there.
Agreed. I remember learning about at least one Egyptian store when I worked at HJ's in the '80s. I remember hearing about the menu having some Middle Eastern tweaks like some goat meat options.
I don't eat Canadian Bacon anywhere besides Happy Joe's. Love the cubes.
There's good Italian in Iowa, but moving to the East Coast really opened my eyes to what Italian food can be. Haven't had Happy Joe's in forever though. Hard to compare at this point.
I used to eat at a Jimmy John's really close to the Happy Joe's corporate HQ in Bettendorf when I was in high school. Always thought it was funny it was on Happy Joe Drive
That’s unfortunate. I never had a problem with their food but haven’t eaten there since we moved around 3 years ago.
Didn't Newton's Northern Lights last like 6 months? Its not the same business model but still
You need to DM me some deets. I make a taco pizza at home that I'm happy with, but anything I can do to make it closer to HJs would be lovely.
For sauce, I'll do about 50/50 mix of pizza sauce and refried beans from the can- mix them together so it's one homogenous looking mess, before spreading on the dough. If I'm ever near a Happy Joe's I'll see if they have any of their sauce in the store and pick up a few bottles of it.
I use simple breakfast sausage for the meat. Jimmy Dean's mild usually.
And I'll add some shredded cheddar to mozzarella for the topping.
Then once it comes out of the oven, I top it with shredded lettuce, freshly diced tomatoes, and crunched up tortilla chips. I started out using Doritos a long time ago, but their flavor is too distinctive. Now I use a generic Doritos-style tortilla chip from my local grocery and it fits better in the overall pizza flavor.
I grew up in the QCs and worked at HJs in Ames. There is something special about that cubed CB.
So many nights we d work late, drinking beer and playing pinball after hours. We'd come up with exotic pizzas after getting tired of the traditional ones. My favorite was BLT, with potato chips and a tiny bit of taco sauce
Do you use Taco style flavored Doritos? That's what you need.
I always preferred it with the sour cream on it under the lettuce etc. But not the black olives of Taco Supreme.
Happy Joes Taco was part sausage part beef.
