Chicago-style pizzeria opening next month in Rochester

Chicago-style pizza is making its way west to the Med City.

Rosati’s Pizza, a chain with locations in 16 states, is scheduled to open early next month in Barlow Plaza (next to Great Clips and Hy-Vee’s Market Grille).

The eatery will offer a number of pizza options — from thin crust to its signature deep dish — along with sandwiches, pastas, and salads.

Franchise owner Lance Patterson says the focus will be on carry-out and delivery, though there will be a few tables and bar stools for indoor dining.

Patterson, whose background is in institutional investment, says the idea to open a pizza place came to him after hearing reports about how resilient the pizza industry has been during the pandemic.

Plus, Patterson added, “Rochester doesn’t have a Chicago-style pizza place here, so I thought that would be interesting differentiator from the other pizza places that are here.”

Rosati’s was founded in 1964 in suburban Chicago. Its one other Minnesota location is in Maple Grove.

Forager plans new café

Just down the road, Forager Brewery, 1005 Sixth Street NW, is working on converting its front bar area into a new café.

The café will offer fresh juice, coffee, tea, lattes, and smoothies, along with a breakfast menu featuring “made-from-scratch items.” Like with its pub fare, the Forager Cafe menu will emphasize fresh and local ingredients.

The business says the goal is to have a soft opening in early November.

The current tenant of the space, Drift Dough, has not formally announced its next plans, but is rumored to be on the move to another nearby café.

What’s shaking on North Broadway?

Finally, a new business advertising nutritious shakes and energizing teas recently opened at 210 N Broadway Ave (in the old Nelson Cheese space).

The Fit Loon, according to its Facebook page, also offers on-the-go breakfast and lunch options. Its hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.