Est. 1954: A Family Tradition
The story starts in Grandpa Sam Perrella’s small cafe in Keewatin, Minnesota in the early 1950s. Around the table, stories were shared by WWII veterans about a new favorite food discovered while serving in Italy: pizza. Sam listened, was inspired and rode the rails to Chicago to discover more about this Italian dish. After tasting his fair share of slices (for research purposes of course), he came home to Gramma Louise. Together, they kneaded, mixed, sliced, diced and created their own take on this delish delight. The results were a pizza unlike any other. A mix of Chicago, Italy, and their own secret sauce, Sammy’s Pizza quickly became a local tradition, expanding to cities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
Over the years, Sammy’s lovers developed their own traditions gathered around our bite-sized squares, Italian favorites, and friendly service and atmosphere. Today, Sammy’s Pizza proudly offers 15 locations. Each restaurant is locally owned and operated by a family member or close friend of the Perrella family still using Sam and Louise’s original recipes!
Our Home Location
Sammy's Pizza & Deli was opened in 1958 by Jim and Marguerite (Perrella) Acheson and has remained in the family ever since. Today, the restaurant is owned and operated by the son of the original owners, Mike Acheson.
It was at Sammy's in Lakeside where Mike first got his start in the pizza business. There he worked for more than 17 years with his brother, Jim Acheson Jr., and mother Marguerite before eventually opening his own restaurant in Cloquet in 2000. Mike later purchased the Lakeside restaurant from Jim Jr., who had previously owned and operated the restaurant for more than 41 years, in 2019.
When you visit, our hope is that you’ll realize Sammy’s makes much more than great pizza – we make works of art inspiring traditions with family and friends, as well as in our local community.
Don’t delay, order a pie today!
