After a slight detour on this food journey, my second stop takes me to Johnny’s Pizza, located at 24 Old Jackson Road, in McDonough. The owners of this fine establishment are Joe and Mindy Berger. Quickly approaching 40 years in the business, Joe knows a little bit about the pizza business, as I’m about to tell you.
He got his start in 1980, at the Johnny’s Pizza on Virginia Avenue, near the airport. This was actually a second job at the time, coaxed into working there by his uncle, Carmen Sposaro. This is the same year he met Mindy, but they were just acquaintances at the time. It didn’t take Joe very long to find out that this wasn’t just a job to him; he truly enjoyed what he did. So he soaked up all aspects of the business, and in 1986, he co-owned and operated his first place in Atlanta. It wasn’t until 1992 that Joe and Mindy started dating and about a year later they got married. They owned other locations in Jonesboro and Fayetteville before finally settling on their second stint in McDonough. I asked them why they came back to McDonough, and it was pretty simple … it was home to Joe. He went to school here, and wanted to be closer to his friends and family. So after almost 11 years in Henry County, they truly have a place they call home!
Joe and I were high school classmates and close friends since the early 70’s. I have been to all of his restaurants, and if there were such a thing as a Doctorate or Master’s Degree in “Pizzaology,” Joe would definitely qualify! He knows the business inside and out, and as a former restaurant owner; I have the utmost respect for what he does. As I continue my quest, I am quickly learning that there is a good woman alongside every good man! And it is definitely the case here. Mindy adds even more to the table, and excels on the customer service side of the business. She describes their place as being comparable to “Cheers” … your neighborhood pizzeria. They know most everyone by name, and if they do not happen to know you, that won’t last for long! And I haven’t even started talking about their food.
Even though Johnny’s Pizza is a franchise, you will not find another Johnny’s like this one. What sets them apart from all other locations is their Italian line of dinners. Joe learned many of his recipes throughout the years from his mother Fran, and pays special homage to her and the family “Sposaro” name on their menu, as well as a special photograph and family history proudly displayed in the dining area. His mother’s homemade recipes include their spaghetti sauce, meatballs, and lasagna just to name a few. When asked, what was their most popular dish, it was a quick answer, their lasagna. So, of course, I had to try some. The sauce was excellent, and the pasta sheets were cooked perfectly. Along with the combination of meats and cheeses, I could quickly see why people would come back for this over and over! And then there’s the pizza. Joe makes his dough fresh daily and it is some of the best I have ever eaten. All his pizza toppings are of high quality, and are prepared fresh as well. They use a top of the line cheese, and the pizza sauce is spiced to perfection!
I asked Joe his secret to running a successful business, and he told me three things. “Good food, good service, and a clean restaurant.” And to have an open kitchen as they do, cleanliness is a high priority for Joe and Mindy. Not only can you admire Joe or one of his other cooks, tossing the pizza dough in the air, you can watch them prepare everything on their menu. Most restaurants wouldn’t dream of doing this, but go check it out, I think it’s really cool!
I also asked Joe what he was most proud of in his nearly 40 years in the business, and he told me his health inspection scores. He had a run in his Fayetteville location of scoring 100 fifteen consecutive times! He also won an award for “the most clean restaurant” in Atlanta, given by Channel 46. Pretty impressive.
Joe and Mindy are working well through all the current pandemic issues. They have curbside pick-up, and have also started back with dine-in service too. They go above and beyond the mandated rules for disinfecting to ensure all customers feel safe eating in their establishment. A very high recommendation on my list to frequent in Henry County!
You do a great job Jerry. I agree that Joe does a great job. We are friends as well. I also remember Belcastro’s in McDonough. Was excellent food.
I go to the one in Conyers, since it is closer to me then the Covington one. The food has always been great. I grew up on Long island, worked in an Italian restaurant in high school, and learned a lot about Italian cooking. Johnny’s is right up there as Long Island cooking, in taste and service. I was a little disappointed in at takeout order I had a few weeks ago, the portion was very small, filling the container mostly with pasta, almost no sauce. Must have been an off night, or they are cutting back due to the down turn in business. But now the dining room is open again, I will return. The garlic knots are to die for, the pizza is as good as any on LI., with the exception of one in Huntington, L.I., but you can put Johnny’s against any other on the Island. For me, just like being back home, four stars.