Lola soaks up some sun.
If you haven’t heard of it, you’ve been living under a rock: Southwest Minneapolis’ Pizzeria Lola is kicking butts and taking names (literally-expect to wait for a table) in the suddenly quite crowded Twin Cities pizza scene. Not that you need an excuse to dig into some wood-fired pizza, but you might be interested to know that this new hot spot is named after co-owner Ann Kim‘s beloved Weimaraner.
Though she wouldn’t have pegged herself as a dog person (“I thought dog people were weird,” she says of her pre-pet mindset), Ann fell in love with a sweet one-year-old pup whose original owners weren’t able to care for her. “So I ended up getting a dog and naming a restaurant after her,” she says with a laugh.
Epicurean-minded dogs who stay current on restaurant reviews and want to see what all the fuss is about will get a chance once the weather warms up. Ann has plans for a dog-friendly patio, complete with water bowls and homemade pizza-inspired dog treats. Doggie diners might even get to meet Lola herself, who is rumored to have accepted a position as “patio hostess.”
“Pizzeria Lola is all about great food and having a great time. We want our atmosphere to evoke joy,” Ann says. “Lola loves food and having a good time, and she evokes joy. It made perfect sense to name the restaurant after her.”
Left: Lola’s mama spreads some love.
Photos by Ryan Jensen
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