Punch Pizza Lake Street

I’ve been ordering the same pizza from Punch since I was 16—nearly two decades later, I’m still hooked. Their pizzas are out of this world—wood-fired perfection every single time. I even went to Italy and spent time in Naples, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was legitimately hard to find a pizza as good as Punch. The flavor, the crust, the quality—it’s all there. This place isn’t just nostalgic for me, it’s world-class.

Punch Pizza is a must-visit for any pizza enthusiast! Their authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas are crafted with fresh ingredients and baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven, delivering a delightful charred crust and vibrant flavors. The Margherita pizza, in particular, stands out with its simple yet delicious combination of sweet crushed tomatoes, fresh basil, and just the right amount of mozzarella .  The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it an excellent spot for both casual lunches and cozy dinners. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring a pleasant dining experience every time. Whether you’re dining in or taking out, Punch Pizza consistently delivers high-quality, flavorful pizzas that keep you coming back for more. Highly recommended!

This is a great medium-sized Punch Pizza. I love their Neapolitan pizza. It's pretty affordable, and you can finish a whole pizza, no problem!! They have olive oil and balsamic vinegar that you can grab and add for yourself, and they have cute details about the restaurant PLUS the iconic tile desgined wood pizza oven.

Pretty decent place for grabbing Neapolitan pizza especially given the price. The dough is okay, not too chewy or dry and decently airy. The mozzarella they use is also decent, but where the pizza is lacking is in the meats. I tried the spicy salami and the Italian sausage. Both I do NOT recommend. They were subpar. My recommendation is to stick with a standard margherita pizza.

The wood fired pizzas are SO good! There are several specialty pizzas, but you can also build your own. Although you could share one pizza with a friend, you're going to want to eat the whole thing... Just splurge!

Great pizza, awesome and patient staff. The soda machine didn't have bubbles at all for some reason but I was okay with water. Pepperoni had a a lot of oil but not too bad.

My husband and I were traveling to the area and found Punch Pizza Lake Calhoun. We are so happy that we did. The pizza melts in your mouth and is absolutely amazing!! We split a pizza and got a chocolate hazelnut panini. Every thing is made fresh on the spot and fired in the pizza oven. It only takes a few short minutes cook, and when they call out your number, then you can immerse yourself in total food satisfaction. Thank you Punch, we had the total food experience. Great food. Great service. Clean and comfortable environment. I will definitely go back when back in the area!!

Yikes! There’s no accounting for taste. We did take-out from Punch on our second night after moving to Minneapolis. Limp, with a soggy crust, Punch pizza would be scoffed at by any pizza aficionado. Perhaps the ingredients were fresh, but still…….. I had one slice, and threw the rest out. Punch did make me yearn for Naples and NYC, where the pizza is fantastic. Okay, Punch you convinced me, NYC in December, Rome and Naples in February. Out of the ashes of limp pizza rises the phoenix of pizza done right. Thanks, Punch.

In response to the owner or manager's comment: I've traveled to Naples several times and eaten Neapolitan pizza at Da Ciro, Da Michele, and Starita. None of them tasted anything like the Punch pizza we tried. Their crusts were blackened, and both the cheese and tomato sauce burst with flavor. The Punch pizza tasted like canned tomato sauce and Sargento Mozzarella, placed on a piece of white bread after one minute in a microwave on high. Yikes! There's no accounting for taste. We did take-out from Punch on our second night after moving to Minneapolis. Limp, with a soggy crust, Punch pizza would be scoffed at by any pizza aficionado. Perhaps the ingredients were fresh, but still........ I had one slice, and threw the rest out. Punch did make me yearn for Naples and NYC, where the pizza is fantastic. Okay, Punch you convinced me, NYC in December, Rome and Naples in February. Out of the ashes of limp pizza rises the phoenix of pizza done right. Thanks, Punch.

We were visiting from out of state, driving around the Lake of the Isles area and decided to try Punch Pizza. We were greeted right away by a friendly employee, who immediately took our order. It is a casual atmosphere with concrete floors, wood tables and chairs. A bit loud, but not overly so. The pizza comes out really quick, like less than 10 minutes. The crushed tomatoes really add a fresh taste to the pizza. The only negative was that the toppings kept sliding off the crust. Otherwise, very tasty pizza and we would try again.

I love Punch Pizza!! Best pizza I've ever had! I love the vegetarian options, especially the Ancona, which is a newer option. I'm not an olive fan, so I ordered the pizza without. Delicious!! I always love dipping the crust in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar afterwards. Such a great inclusion to the meal! The workers are always very kind and helpful. The pizza comes out incredibly fast, especially at this location! We ordered to go, and the pizza was said to be ready in as little as 5 minutes! We did not stay this time and eat on site, but we always enjoy the outdoor patio option with all the flower arrangements when we do stay to eat. Even with the construction off the main road nearby, the outdoor space is still enjoyable - and pet friendly!

You can't go wrong with Punch Pizza! It's always our go to place especially when we have guests in town. The service is quick and easy and the food is always good. My favorite is the Adriatico pizza or the mushroom Gorgonzola one. Also have to get the Gorgonzola salad! You order at the counter and sit down so it makes for a great outing for groups.

This is the best Neapolitan pizza I've had outside of Italy. I used to get it weekly when I lived down the street. I've moved away from Minneapolis and can't find anything this authentic anymore. Every time I come visit I have to stop by Punch! All of the pizzas are amazing. The Neapolitan is simple but still my favorite though. A close second would be the Napoli with ground beef added. Don't sleep on the Punch salad either, it's refreshingly light yet somewhat filling at the same time. The restaurant itself has a good vibe. Authentic hotter than hell pizza oven that churns pies out quickly. Plus a friendly staff and beers on tap.

A bit of a paradox here. Consistent, Neopolitan-style pizza, made by people that care. Also, a lot of locals really like Punch, too. I also think people here don't know much about pizza. I think the pizza here is good and consistent (also a good thing). However, is the pizza excellent and rave-worthy? No. It is ok and I am not sure what all the raving is about. The pizza always seems a bit undercooked. The taste is ok at best and the prices are a bit high, too. But, it is consistent every time. I will take that trade when I come in with hungry kids.

What great service and delicious food! One of the best pizza places in the area! staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Beautiful spring day for a salad and pizza outside!

We ordered takeout from Punch Pizza on the recommendation of a local friend. Their menu looked so mouth watering and obviously it came highly recommended, so we were so excited! Now there are some caveats to this review. Part of why the pizzas didn't hit the spot quite as much as we had wanted was due to the fact that we had to delay our pickup. The pizza was cold and had to be reheated so that left it pretty soggy. I had kind if hoped that the establishment would have kept them under a warmer or something, but alas. The flavors were still good, it was just a texture issue. We primarily had the Margherita pizza for our order and it was nice. Not too terribly unique. The restaurant itself was packed even though they were close to closing. Not anything too out of the box as far as decor, but that could be that this location is in a strip mall area so the outdoor decor doesn't lend itself to a lot of pizzazz. I would like to visit again, maybe in person, and see if the pizza is a bit more exciting when you get it right out of the oven! I'm sure it is :)

Some delicious wood fired pizza! You can either build your own or take a creation from the menu! I had a margherita pizza w pepperoni. It comes with fresh basil and that really seared the deal for me! Our food came out quickly and it was so fresh and delicious! We went on a Sunday at around 4pm and it wasn't busy. We sat outside but they have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating!

A local fav! It's just down the street and yet every time I go think I need to come even more often. Just the simple but delicious margarita pizza is amazing with olive oil and balsamic vinegar /)

Since moving here and complaining about how there's no good pizza in the Twin Cities (I'm from NY), I have heard Punch Pizza recommended by just about every person I know and so I decided to finally try it out. Location: The location is prime right off of Lake Street on the west side of Bde Maka Ska. Inside: The inside is fine, it's nice to see the kitchen is open concept and you can see the workers creating your pizza in their beautiful oven. Service: Service was definitely subpar. The ordering system was a bit confusing for my first time and we wanted to sit in as there were like 4 open tables that had already been cleaned. However, the servers told us we would have to wait like 40 minutes for our pizza. Not a problem, it was busy with takeout orders, I get it. But, the servers made us place our order as takeout even though I wanted to dine in and told us just to take a table when we come in to pick up our food. We wait the 40 minutes come back, grab our food, and then we have to wait for a table to free up since we were not "dine in", there was no table ready for us. We were able to get a table in just a few minutes, so ended up being more of an annoyance than an actual problem. Food: I ordered the Toto which is one of their more specialty pizzas covered with prosciutto and goat cheese and a few other toppings. Honestly, the toppings were not strong enough to really affect the flavor much at all. However, the crust was delicious and I do really enjoy a good Neapolitan pizza. Next time, I would definitely get a plain old cheese pizza. I'll admit, it was one of the better pizzas I've had since moving, but if this was back home in NY, I'd probably give it 3*. I give it an extra star because of the lack of quality pizza parlors in the Twin Cities. It was decent pizza, and if there was no wait, I'd probably come back. Overall, service and wait can be frustrating but the pizza is pretty good. Definitely not a must-go, but if you're craving solid pizza this place would hit the spot.

The Lake Street Punch Pizza location is perfectly situated in the Greenway Lakes Commons strip mall, right across the street from Bde Maka Ska! After ordering your pizza to-go, you can get your coffee or tea next door at Rustica, grab a book from Barnes & Noble, and head across the street to picnic by the lake - a perfect summer afternoon! Plus, as a pizza lover who doesn't like red sauce, I love how many options they have with white sauces, or a "Pizza Bianco." I recommend getting the Dino Z and adding mushrooms and crushed red pepper flakes!

Punch used to be one of my go-to spots in college, but I haven't been back since before Covid. I was sad to hear that my previous usual location had closed, but while running errands I was near this spot so we decided to stop in for dinner. It was just as good as I remembered! My go to has always been the Toto, so we split that and a Siciliana. The Toto still holds the #1 spot for me (it's just that yummy), but the Siciliana was good too. The service at this location was also top notch! The entire staff was super friendly and worked quickly to navigate a large dinner crowd.

The service was fast. The food stayed warm and flavorful. It was delivered so I can't opine on the restaurant itself.

10/24/22: Located at Greenway Lakes Common Center. One of our go to spots whenever we visit Minnesotahhhhh. Everything is pretty good & made fresh to order. PRO TIP: if you're ordering a cheeseless pizza, order the Sensa (then you can order whatever toppings you want). If you order the make your own custom, and ask no cheese, you'll get charged the higher price even though you don't get cheese. Love that there's a Joint Chiropractor & EWC there. Very convenient for doing my beauty & self care when I'm in town. Then grab a quick bite to eat.

Just ordered take-out from the new West End restaurant. 1 Tuscano pizza and one large Punch salad. ($25.45 + $2.00 tip) I like Punch pizza and have for many years. I noticed that the overall size of the pizza has diminished - it was small - and I thought that the "large salad" has shrunk as well. The four slices of rosemary bread was not completely wrapped in tin foil and 1 piece fell out of the package and on the floor of my car. The staff made a mistake and tried to charge me for two salads until I said - $37. something what??? and almost handed her my card. Will I go back? Of course, there are too many other wood fired pizza places I like better and give better value for your money.

Is pizza comfort food? Idk but what I can tell you is this is my favorite pizza around, all locations are consistent and great. There is plenty of parking here, plenty of seats and online ordering is seamless. I always end up making my own veggie pizza, but others I've been with enjoy the Bruno too!

Punch always hits the spot! They make true Neapolitan pizzas that cook in just 90 seconds because their oven is so hot. The dough is fresh and chewy - I always cherish the crust! I always get a margarita pizza because I think it is perfect - the cheese is fresh and the sauce is simple and not too acidic. My friend got the Dino Z and added some mushrooms and Goat Cheese - it looked delicious! It was piled high with mixed greens as well as cheese and veggies. We also got a Caesar salad which is just classic and perfect - the lettuce was crisp and it was coated in fresh ground Parmesan. There was also a little bread on the side, which is just seasoned pizza dough which I'm not mad about because this dough is crazy good. It was pretty busy and loud on this Friday afternoon, but we found a table easily and stayed for awhile. They have a busser walking around to take dishes as we finished which we appreciated. I will always recommend Punch for a high quality fast-casual meal!!

I hadn't been to a Punch Pizza since before the pandemic started, so it was nice to get back into one. We were getting cat food nearby and wanted dinner, as I wasn't going to be cooking by the time we got home. We ordered the Maximus and Salame E Funghi. I just so happen to adore mushrooms, so there can never be too many. Both of the pizzas were exactly as one would expect: Perfectly cooked, and balanced flavors. They were the gluttony-inducing delights we all know and love. We were asked to show vaccination cards when we stated that we'd like to eat in. If you don't have it on your phone, do that, so you don't have to try to dig it out. After that, everything is self-serve. The restaurant wasn't packed, so we were happy to dine and relax a bit. When next I'm in the mood for Neapolitan pizza, Punch will be the place from where I get it.

I am a big fan of Punch! I order pretty regularly! They have great pizza options and are reasonably priced. The salads are also great with several options.

Love punch pizza! I have been coming here for years now! The changes they made now are the plates, with raised bumps to cool the pizza without making it too soggy. And the Rubbermaid commercial high chairs! Amazing chairs, but wish they had the wheels. Punch is fast, fairly affordable and makes the family super happy and full!

Overall, it's punch pizza! You know what you're in for. FOOD: I love punch pizza. It's the only pizza you can eat whole and not feel bad. I always order the margarita pizza with artichokes, goat cheese, prosciutto & arugula (put on after it goes in the oven). The combination is my go-to and it never disappoints. SERVICE: This location is ALWAYS busy but the staff get the pizzas out fast. Even with a complicated order, they've never messed up.

Super organized ordering process/covid protocols. On the pricier end of pizzas given that the pizza is single portion/50% crust. Maybe the ingredients are premier and warrant the priciness, but the flavors of the pizza were subpar and do not match the high price point. I got the Mattozzi with Mozzarella di bufala, prosciutto, mushroom, and oregano with added garlic and Parmesan. You would think mozzarella, prosciutto, oregano, garlic AND Parmesan would make a tasty pizza but noooooo my pizza was very wet, droopy, and FLAVORLESS. How?! It wasn't even too "salty" from the prosciutto, too "garlicky" from the garlic slices, too "sweet" from the crushed tomatoes, too "burnt" from the wood fire stove, or too "herby" from the oregano. It just lacked flavor. Very disappointing. Secondly, 2 stars because they don't try to recycle the pristine/high quality cardboard boxes all pizzas come in. (The pizza boxes may have been more high quality than the ingredients/pizza, haha). Their trash can was filling up every five minutes from the pizza boxes and most boxes weren't very food stained so should be recycled. I recommend Punch Pizza look into a reusable tray for serving orders for diners who eat outside / at the restaurant. If their first question for ordering is "how many pizzas?", then they can easily follow-up with "for here or to go?" And serve outside diners with reusable trays to cut down on the cardboard waste. I hear lumber is very expensive these days :grimace:

This is the best pizza in town. Only wish they delivered! Can't go wrong with any of there offerings. Really, just go.

I've always loved Punch--it's as delicious today as it always has been. But the service post-pandemic has really struggled. Every time we go (at multiple locations) the wait is ENDLESS. They say this is a capacity issue because they get so many online orders, and that could very well be true, but come on! The pizza's great; the wait is atrocious. Updated to add more stars. It's possible I was hangry when I wrote this.

I have been craving good pizza for a long time. Many of the pizzas stores now you have to do an application some even with your birthdate really? I'm always around this location. I know it's a very good one. I always see it busy. Today I said I'm going to eat real pizza even if I am alone (I used to think people die off loneliness. Now we survive because of loneliness) . I don't like to eat my pizza I don't. I went inside to order it then I Went inside after seven minutes pick it up. The gentleman at the door called my name once it was ready, so practical. I ate outside. Tables and people are spread away safely. It was really good. It's do so good when it's so so fresh. Classy touristic area close to busy lakes, classy eaters, all ages, all races, love of good food is what brings us together here. Plenty of parking in front and behind store.. Very clean quick service. Very professional. It is at The crossroads off biking trails.

Punch pizza is fantastic- so much choice. Also while you are waiting they have generous pots of red wine and craft beer on tap,

love this spot on sunny days + food + service is great. eat a pizza & salad then walk it off around the lake.

I love the margarita pizza.The service is also amazing. It's great for sitting outdoors and people watching.

Pizza was tasty. This place is quaint. Parking can be tight. Had a good pie and a salad. It was up pretty quick and we enjoyed it. Not a local, but if I were, I'd come back

My friends always go to Punch Pizza to have a quick nite and I wanted to see what all the hype was about! I went with a group of my close friends and decided to order the margarita pizza. The line to order looked long, but it was very deceiving... it only took about 5 minutes and we were at the front. The food came out pretty fast considering all the people waiting around. We did not have a problem finding a seat. The pizza was the perfect size for one person. The pizza crust is the same for all the pizzas served (traditional/thin crust). Every pizza is made and then cooked in a giant fire pit. This way of cooking the pizza gave it a light smokey taste. very good :). The pizza had a generous amount of cheese as well as marinara sauce. There was also small pieces of basil sprinkled all over. A great place to grab a quick and delicious bite with some friends.

This place is my roommate's favorite restaurant ever. Like ever. So I know that some people love it, and some people find it overrated. I find it slightly overrated. Location is great--right by Calhoun, it's an easy stop. They have decent amount of seating inside, and good atmosphere. Food options: they have some specialty pizzas with toppings already curated, or you can make you own. The price for make your own starts under $7, but adds up REAL FAST. I got a plain pizza and just added artichoke and capers. Some of the toppings are $2.50 each, with most around the $1.00/$1.50 range. That's pretty steep, considering you can go to Blaze Pizza, where the pizza is $8 and you get ANY and EVERY topping you could want for no additional charge. That's hard to beat. I am also GF, so I need to get GF crust/bread/options whenever I go places like this. I'm used to paying up to $2.00 extra for GF bread or crust; this is a sad reality of the allergy that seems to punish me for not being able to eat gluten. At Punch, a GF crust is $3.25!!! That's nuts. No way that crust is worth almost $4 alone. In addition, the workers scoffed and whined when I said gluten free--not very considerate because it's an allergy and not a choice. The server didn't really know how to talk about it in regards to discussing contaminants as well. The biggest perk of this place is that it cooks fast--under 90 seconds! Our to-go order came out really fast, fresh and ready to eat. I liked the pizza, I really did. But I ate the whole thing in like 15 minutes. There's not much on it besides olive oil, basil, and a little bit of cheese and tomato (plus whatever topping you're willing to pay big bucks for). Is that worth $14? Not really. I know some people love this place because it's true Napoli pizza, but I think Blaze Pizza 'punch'es Punch in a head-to-head competition of the best pizza for the best price.

This was a great easy lunch. You order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. The crust was thin but chewy and soft. Toppings were really good. The salad was nice and fresh. I would probably ask for dressing on the side next time because it was heavily dressed but it was still really good.

Yummmm I love Punch pizza. I have this every time I go back to Minnesota. Keep it simple with the margarita. The punch salad is also amazing. It gets pretty busy and the seating is a little weird, but definitely give this place a shot if you are in the Calhoun area.

Punch was super busy when I arrived, but my food was ready about 6 mins after I ordered. I got the Margherita Pizza (added Pepperoni) with a side Caesar salad. The pizza was great. Light, flavorful, and filling without me feeling heavy. The sauce and oil on the pizza was so good! The salad was great too. Simple, flavorful and perfectly portioned. The meal cost me about $13. Well worth it, and I'll definitely be back!

I love love love punch!! I haven't had a pizza that I don't like at punch. I love the eggplant pizza, I like the spicy salami, and the Mimi. I love how they get the pizza nice and tasty in the brick oven. They have oil and balsamic vinegar. I like the community tables and even when it's busy you can usually find a seat. In the summer I like sitting outside. They work fast and the people are friendly

Delicious crust, I love the Rugula, Toto and Bufalina! You really can't go wrong with any choice! I always order oil and vinegar on the side, super yummy!

Consistently some of the best pizza in the Twin Cities. Punch is a gift, and we should be grateful to have such a great chain available to us. If you're a first-timer, try the basic Margherita pizza and go from there. You won't like every pizza, but you will find ones that you like, and those will become your new standards. The Toto and Margherita Extra are among our favorites. On the Bianco side (pizzas with no crushed tomato), the Mimi is excellent. Don't ignore the salads. The Rocket Salad is delicious. Punch is often a zoo during the Friday and Saturday dinner rush. Coming a bit early--think 5:30 or 6:00--can save you a lot of time. Be aware that the team they have running earlier in the week sometimes isn't quite as experienced as the folks they have on Friday or Saturday, so the quality may be a bit less consistent then. The staff *is* always great, though, and if there's a problem let them know and they'll make it right.

Punch is Punch no one can beat them, they try, lots of look alike but no one can make pizza like Punch.... 5 stars any time of the day or nite Punch is TOP OF THE LINE!! killing everybody!!

We have heard of Punch for a long time and finally had a chance to visit it.They only have one size for their pizza, around 8inch, which should feed one person. Every thing on the menu looked great and after a long time deciding, we ordered a Parlemo, which had sun dried tomatoes, olive, and salami. First of all, we both loved the crust! It was so smoky and had a perfect combination of crunch and fluffiness that you just want to keep eating more. The toppings were what I had some problems with. I guess it was my fault for choosing this combination of toppings but the olive just overpowering everything! If you had a bite of pizza with all 3 toppings, all you tasted would have been the olive. The sun dried tomatoes added the texture to the pizza but it didn't add much flavor, and the salami just didn't bring a lot to the table. In general, I love the crust and would come back to try out other pizza, probably not getting anything with olives again.

I love Punch. If I could eat anywhere the rest of my life, it would be at Punch. Their pizza is good and their salads are great! I have never had a bad experience with their food. Depending on the day, I get pizza and salad, sometimes just pizza, and sometimes just a salad. The focaccia that comes with the salad is also really good. If it is your first time, it is an authentic Neapolitan pizza. I really enjoy the Neapolitan pizzas as they are lighter than your traditional American pizza. I have taken friends from Italy and other places in Europe to Punch and it has become one of their favorite places to go when they visit. Be prepared to wait at this location if it is a beautiful summer day as people love to walk around the lake and then grab some Punch. You can order online now too, which is pretty slick. Parking can get crazy, especially in the summer. There is parking in the main lot in front of Punch and also behind Punch. Last, but not least the staff is great! Always friendly and inviting.

Delicious pizza. It is my absolute favorite pizza I have ever had. You have to try it. The custom soda cups are cool too. Will certainly be back.

Wow. That is the single best way to describe my first trip here. Im almost afraid to say it, but Punch might be the best pizza I've ever had in the states! Punch is a casual dining pizza parlor where they strive to make authentic Neapolitan pizza with high quality ingredients. Even the atmosphere inside makes you feel removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. We ordered the Matozzi pizza, which is Italian for UNBELIEVABLE (well not really, but you get the idea). It had prosciutto, tomato, and a minimal amount of sauce and cheese. It was nothing short of perfect. The crust is thin but chewy in the right places and crunchy on the edges. I made a rookie mistake of ordering the chopped Italian salad, but in my defense, how would I have known that they'd be serving the best pizza I have ever had? It was also fantastic, the dressing was subtle, the leafy greens offered the perfect texture. The focaccia was also fantastic. It's served thin and crispy with a generous amount of rosemary. You can pour some oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. The whole meal was truly amazing, and all in the form of fast food making it quick and relatively inexpensive. If you haven't been yet, drop everything and find one of Punch's many locations. And if you want a salad, order one, but also make sure you get some pizza as well. It will save you the shame and trouble of having to get back in line to order a pizza after you realize the colossal mistake you've made.

Recently traveled to MN for work, and a friend highly recommended this place for the Neapolitan pizza lover I am! Hands down, one of the best pizza places I have been to. I am salivating just thinking about how delicious this place was!!! Also, the rosemary focaccia that came with my salad was soooo good...on my way out, I ordered a whole additional side of rosemary focaccia to have as a late night snack! Looking forward to my next MN trip just so I can go back to Punch Pizza!

I LOVE punch pizza. The crust of the pizza is buttery and delicious without being all consuming. The cheese and tomatoes and basil on the margarita. Pizza are so fresh always at all times of year. This is my favorite pizza. It is prepared quickly and with care. The staff are very kind and intuitive. The ambience is perfect for fast casual. Highly recommend this restaurant is one of my top favorite pizzas.

This pizza was great! Good crust, nice tasting topping and very fresh. It's a bit noisy but that was fine. Fast service on a Friday night too.

Aw COME ON, Punch! Half the lettuce in my Punch salad to go was black and slimy. Not Okay. I'm not one to freak out about a few pieces of wilted lettuce, but this lettuce was gross. (Photo attached.) I had to literally pick through it piece-by-piece to find pieces that were edible - which was less than half the salad. :-( You should just tell people you're out of salad if this is the only lettuce you have. You should not serve it. I would have gotten something else that wasn't rotten. UPDATE: Within minutes of this post, I received a response and resolution from Punch. I appreciate the accountability and willingness to make it right! Impressive customer service.

The pizza here is quite distinct in comparison to other options. It's packed with flavor and has an awesome crust. The texture is chewy and on the outer part while the inner is thin and just substantial enough to support the contents. It can get a little floppy towards the center so I prefer to start each piece with a fork and knife. Doing so might be tedious for some but it makes me feel a small percentage fancier. I really enjoy the saltiness of each bite. It's not uncommon to see the line going all the way to the door during lunch/dinner but it generally moves quickly. The restaurant functions in the style of ordering at the counter so sometimes waiting in a longer line is beneficial if you tend to be indecisive and want to stare at the menu for an extended period. It's a great casual option for eating and a nice choice for the area after a day of shopping or time spent at the lake.

I was really to try Punch Pizza as I have heard high praise from my Minnesota friends. Managed to dine-in at the Lake Calhoun location on my way to the airport for a quick lunch. They were really speedy (received within 5 min of order and my friend's took 3 min) and had a great attitude. I ordered the Margherita with capers, green olives, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, artichokes, and arugula to finish ($15). My friend had the Napoli with sausage and onions ($9). The prices are not bad considering they pay their workers 25% above minimum wage. Both pizzas were quite tasty, and I'm not usually a fast-casual pizza person. We put olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette on top which added a sweet note. They also serve wine and other types of alcohol, though I personally would not drink wine with this type of pizza.