This Nationally Recognized Pizza Place In Indiana Has Been A Hoosier Favorite Since 1973
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published March 29, 2019
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
There’s a famous pizza place in Bloomington, Indiana that few Hoosiers realize has been nationally recognized. In business for many decades, this iconic restaurant is a must-visit for all.
Pizza lovers have got to get this one on their bucket list. Scroll on for more details.
Mother Bear's Pizza has been one of southern Indiana's favorite pizza joints since it opened in 1973. It is known as the absolute best pizza in the state, and to some, the nation.
There are two locations in Bloomington, Indiana. The first and most iconic is right around the Indiana University campus, while the other is located in Whitehall Plaza on the west side of town.
The second location opened in 2016 and offers a much more modern and spacious environment. Keep scrolling for more details.
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It didn't take too many years after this famous pizza place opened for it to start winning awards. In 1979, it was awarded "Best Pizza in Bloomington" by the Indiana Daily Student. In 1982, People Magazine recognized the restaurant as having "one of America's top nine pizzas."
Further, it has been named "Best Pizza in Indiana" by USA Today and twice earned Final Four status at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Additionally, students and staff of IU name it the best pizza in town pretty much every single year.
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Dining options at each restaurant are similar. You'll find a rustic bar vibe at both. It is obvious that the wood-paneling, signed walls, and homey atmosphere are traditions of the original location that were then carried on to the second location. The west side location also has outdoor seating available when the weather is pleasant.
The menu at this famous pizza place is vast. You'll find pizzas, appetizers, pastas, sub sandwiches, salads, and more. Start your meal with wings, garlic bread, bread sticks, chicken tenders, cheese bread, french fries, toasted ravioli, and more.
When it comes to pizzas, you can create your own or try a specialty one. Fun options include Dante's Inferno, The Big Cheese, Soul Sizzler, The Illinois Central, Tuscaloosa Touchdown, The Dixie Two-Step, and many more.
Guests enjoy traditional pan pizzas, toasted sesame thin crust pies, and even deep-dish style ones. Mother Bear's even offers a (mostly) gluten-free crust.
Dine-in, carry-out, delivery, lunch, and drink specials abound throughout each week. For instance, if you eat in on Tuesdays, you can get a 10-inch pizza for $6.95. Monday through Friday until 4 p.m., you can get a large slice of the day's special and a soft drink for $4.50.
Check out the website (link below) for more specials.
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Mother Bear's Pizza is open daily and hours vary by location. The campus location is open between 11 a.m. and midnight each day while the west side location's hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
