Students weary of Saga meals will have an alternative eatery to turn to this academic year, the House of Pizza and BBQ in Hillsdale, which opened in April of this year.
Located on the corner of Division and Hillsdale, just down the road from the Pi Beta Phi sorority, the restaurant offers up barbecue, pizza and chicken wings in what owner Greg Mauldon called an “up-north, country” atmosphere.
Ten years ago, Mauldon attempted to open a restaurant in Mason, Michigan, a small town south of Lansing. However, the deal fell through when he and the seller “couldn’t find the right price.” Mauldon said he was excited to open a new restaurant in Hillsdale after missing that opportunity and has wanted to own a pizza restaurant for years.
Mauldon said the building was “run down,” prior to his purchasing it. He leaped at the opportunity to open a restaurant in town because he “felt the college needed something down here and close.” Mauldon hopes to get more business from Hillsdale College students in the upcoming year.
Mauldon has renovated the building to give it new life. The inside is now outfitted with woodwork as well as Texan and Italian-themed décor. Additionally, the restaurant has televisions and free Wi-Fi designed to create a student-friendly environment. One employee described the atmosphere as “relaxed” and “family-friendly.”
The menu offers an assortment of pizzas, barbecue and chicken wings. Mauldon said he has variety because he recognizes that his business cannot survive on Pizza alone due to competition in the area. He added barbecue to the menu in order to get an edge on the competition.
Mouldon said the cheese sets his pizza apart because he uses a Muenster and Mozzarella blend. Additionally, he adds a unique sauce and high quality dough ingredients and toppings.
Mauldon said he thinks the barbecue is unique because of its southern-inspiration.
“I have a lot of family in Tennessee,” he said.
Rub is put on the barbecue first. Then it is slow-smoked for several hours. He said that the pulled pork is smoked for 15 hours and ribs are hickory-smoked for four hours. Also on the menu are chicken wings, which are hickory-smoked prior to frying and offered with a variety of sauces.
Mauldon said the restaurant has been received fairly well over the last few months.
“We created quite a following this summer,” he said. “We knew the college would be a big business, but we wanted the community to be a big help and they did.”
In the future Mauldon hopes to etch the House’s name into the future of Hillsdale College and the community.
“I hope we can be a good eatery for the college and the community as well,” he said.
