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
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.Happy Joes in Muscatine was excellent when I interned there in 2012 (just realized it has been 10 years). Not sure if it is still there but at the time they were one of the few locations that still made their dough fresh in store.
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.You've just given me a craving for pizza, ice cream, and a road trip to the QC. I remember hearing the hype about Whitey's from a professor, then I went and realized there was no hype...only truth.
That's the most random thing I've ever seen.Just saw this on FB. Lucky Egypt! I wish there were more locations in the midwest...so many closed. There is still one in New Ulm, MN...that's the closest one to the TC.
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Got food poisoning from there.Wig & Pen in Ankeny is better.
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.That's the most random thing I've ever seen.
Maybe a Maderite in Syria would top it.I
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 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.
I love Canadian Bacon but do not like the cubes that HJ cuts theirs in. I prefer thinly shaved pieces.
That’s unfortunate. I never had a problem with their food but haven’t eaten there since we moved around 3 years ago.Got food poisoning from there.
It was a late lunch. Assume something sat out too long.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 stillHappy Joes in Urbandale was my first H.S. Job circa 2002. Best chain pizza in Iowa hands down. I wish they would put one in Newton. Looked into franchising, not too bad in regards to initial principal investment.
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.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.
I grew up in the QCs and worked at HJs in Ames. There is something special about that cubed CB.I don't eat Canadian Bacon anywhere besides Happy Joe's. Love the cubes.
Do you use Taco style flavored Doritos? That's what you need.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.