Years ago, when someone in Milwaukee wanted De Marinis pizza, they simply went to the one location. Now they get an unwanted debate.

Rumor (Willis) has it that somewhere along the line, the DeMarinis family was split by a dispute powerful enough to cause the DeMarinis sons — Dom and Phil — to branch out and open their own DeMarinis pizza parlor not but two blocks away from MaMa DeMarinis’. I like to think it was all Jenga-related.

Though family feuds are never a good thing, especially when talking about the TV game show Family Feud, we thought it only fair to give both DeMarinis a try to see if one family’s heart-wrenching rift delivered us the sweet fruits of another bomb-ass Bay View pizza joint. Spoiler: It did.

If you were to give me a slice of both MaMa DeMarinis’ and Dom & Phil DeMarinis’ pizza, I’d first thank you for the wonderfully delicious gift by offering you a sensual massage (no fat chix!). Secondly, I’d have no fucking idea which slice came from where. Pizza-wise, both are served on rectangular baking pans; each are cut into square slices and feature fresh mushrooms; and both are good as He11! Some people are staunch advocates of Dom & Phil’s, while hating MaMa’s. Other’s are all up in MaMa’s shit and don’t like the bros.

Personally, I cast no stones in terms of dually delicious pizza served in old fashioned neighborhood settings. I like them both so much that it’s simply impossible to pick my favorite DeMarinis location. That said, I pick Dom & Phil’s.

THE GOOD: If you want in depth pizza talk, look at my MaMa Demarinis post linked above. I feel it’s nearly identical… apart from Bros DM’s ‘za having better sausage (made in house, by the way). What pushes this location over the edge into my favorite is the location. Not only is there a patio, a significantly more spacious interior and a fully stocked bar, there’s a God damn game room up in this bitch. Noyce! It’s small, but you know the old adage… “A small game room is better than a good day of golf” or something. Plus, they have Friday Fish Fry, which is always a great thing for a restaurant to have.

THE BAD: Their cheese bread kind of sucks choad. Soggy bread with lukewarm cheese. I can do that in my sleep. And I have! Additionally, the restaurant is kind of hard to find if you’re not from Bay View and you’ve never been there before. It’s nestled deep within the confines of the Bermuda Triangle of Great Lakes-adjacent pizza. 

TRY: Get a pint of Leinie’s Nut Brown. When the bartender is filling your glass, turn to a friend and say, “I heard this shit makes you nut brown” loud enough for the barkeep to overhear. Trust me, the reaction will be worth it. Oh yeah, get a sausage and mushroom pizza. Tis’ bonerrific.

RATING: An alleged familial dispute never tasted so good — not including the near-identical MaMa DeMarinis’ down the street.

Bay View, Milwaukee, T. Mario