J’s Story
Joe West Pizza didn’t happen overnight. I remember starting out at my first real part time job at Vintage Fork summer. Being a server for the first time, there was a lot to learn. From knowing the menu, learning how to bartend and be a barista, to how to provide great service – it was definitely a lot to take in.
The staff, although smaller than your conventional restaurant, surprised me. They were kind, funny, helpful, and I quickly felt at home. It wasn’t just a workplace, but a team of people who worked towards a common goal: bring great food and attentive service to the community.
The months went by, and things came easier and quicker with more experience. Relationships grew too – my coworkers quickly became my friends, people I could talk to and laugh with even on the busiest days.
The restaurant became a second home to me, somewhere to relax when I wasn’t on shift and a place I looked forward to working at every week.
But then, like a wave coming over the whole world, COVID-19 swept through. Our doors have been closed since March, and I miss my coworkers and the lovely people I would get to chat with.
The head chef, Salar, had been like a mentor to me since I started working. Full of ideas and thinking ahead on how he could better himself, we had had many chats of his grand inventions during many closing shifts.
One of these was Joe West Pizza. He had wanted to cater to “the average Joe”, food for anyone and everyone. When he first brought it up, many months ago, it was just a thought.
Fast forward to today, it has become a reality. Working with several of the staff from our previous small team, Salar began wracking his brain on how to deliver the best Pizza in YEG. He had mentioned that many places don’t have deep dish pizza. When I thought about it, I realized I have never tried it either.
When he asked me to join the team, I was excited to be back to delivering quality food with the best ingredients once again, as well as reuniting with some of my coworkers.
We still have a long ways to go, but I’m excited for what’s ahead. I hope you’ll join us on this journey, and I look forward to working with the Joe West Pizza team to bring you some amazing deep dish pizza!
