This Famous Frozen Pizza Brand Was Born in a Tiny Wisconsin Tavern

Illinoisans may think they know a lot about Wisconsin, but did you know Wisconsin is the birthplace of one of America's favorite frozen pizza brands?

Things Illinoisans Know About Wisconsin

As someone who lives in northern Illinois and makes regular trips to Wisconsin for everything from family getaways to Spotted Cow runs, I thought I knew most of the best things the state has to offer. Apparently, I was wrong.

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Wisconsin's dominance in all things cheese, beer, and lake vibes might be what the state is most famous for, but somehow many of us missed that Wisconsin makes some decent pizzas too.

In fact, one of America's most recognizable frozen pizzas has deep Wisconsin roots.

I'm talking about Tombstone Pizza.

History of Tombstone Pizza

Tombstone Pizza was first created in 1962 by two brothers named Pep and Ron Simek who owned a small bar in Medford, Wisconsin called the Tombstone Tap.

Tombstone's website says:

The owner of Tombstone Tap, Joe Simek, loved to dance. Problem was, he wasn’t very good and broke his leg—so he learned to make pizzas to pass the time.

The Simek brothers started making pizzas for their customers, but the pizzas became so popular that they started freezing and delivering them to bars and grocery stores throughout Wisconsin.

When I think about all the times I've cooked a Tombstone Pizza or spent time at a small tavern in Wisconsin, I am shocked that I've never heard this story before.

It's also a little sad that this is what the Tombstone Tap looks like today:

Here are some more weird and interesting things you might not know about Wisconsin: