MUSKEGON, MI – This Muskegon-area wood-fired pizzeria is already becoming a lunch and dinner favorite along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Louie’s Wood Fired Bar + Grill, located at 2190 Whitehall Rd. STE A, offers a modern, rustic twist on Italian cuisine.
The focal point of the restaurant, which opened in early June, is the wood-fired oven built into the full bar. Cooking with wood is an experience, so the atmosphere of the space revolves around the oven, allowing customers to be front and center while pies like Sicilian pork are prepared.
Owner Jaime Knudsen, who is also the visionary behind Pine Street Cafe in Ferrysburg, said customer feedback has been positive.
Related: Michigan’s Best Local Food: Pine Street Cafe Claims ‘Old School Vibe with a New Twist’
“Everything has been five stars, which has been great,” Knudsen said. “I’m from this community, so myself as a resident, we were really hungry for something new to come to the area.”
Knudsen said the only downside is he’s still waiting for the liquor license, but he’s hoping for final approval by next week.
In the meantime, he said Louie’s remains the perfect place to gather, whether with family sitting in the booths or a group of friends enjoying an evening on the patio.
Since opening, customers keep coming back for the wood-fired pizzas, which Knudsen said account for up to half of the restaurant’s sales. Each pizza is made with a 10-inch Neapolitan-style crust, customers can choose from Buffalo Chicken and Basil Pesto, Smoky BBQ or Meat Lovers. Pizza prices range from $14 to $17.
Other popular options include hand-dishes like Italian Beef and Big Louie Burgers, fresh salads like the Grain Bowl, and shared plates like Tuscan Mussels.
But Knudsen said the ultimate appetizer is the giant mozzarella sticks for $12, made with freshly stretched house mozzarella and herbed parmesan-panko breadcrumbs with marinara.
“It’s definitely something to highlight – one of the hottest things online, other than wood-fired pizza,” he said. “It’s a really fun family favorite here.”
It boasts of bringing a new electric, family-friendly dining experience to Muskegon with creative flavors.
Louie’s hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Place a takeout order online. Contact the restaurant at 231-246-8078.
Would you like MLive to consider featuring your favorite restaurant on Michigan’s Best Local Foods? Send details, including business name, address and best menu item, to Skyla Jewell-Hammie at sjewell-hammie@mlive.com.
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