When you hear that someone is from Iowa there are certain assumptions about the person that immediately come to mind. What definitely does not come to mind is the image represented by Doug Brandt: a gay native son of the state (hometown of Davenport and an Iowa State University education) who as an adult is a self-described bohemian, coffee-loving, part-time house music DJ. Owning a pizza parlor is also not a trait one typically associates with an Iowan, but that's what Brandt is as well: the owner of Pie Hole at 739 W. Roscoe (behind Cocktail and across the street from 7-11).
Originally in search of a coffeehouse to own, when Brandt learned that Pie Hole was up for sale he realized immediately that the cozy restaurant in the heart of Boystown could satisfy his entrepreneurial aspirations. It took a long grueling year to line up the financing and to get the various licenses from the City (a process that involved fingerprinting no less), but in February 2007 Pie Hole officially became his baby.

BOI: What's the story on how you got to Chicago from Iowa?
Doug Brandt: After college I was living in Atlanta doing training and development work for Kinko's. I got laid off after 9/11 and so just decided to move to Chicago because I wanted to live here. I was managing a Caribou Coffee and doing some DJing on the side but I always wanted to own my own business.

BOI: With no background in pizza, how did you convince a bank to loan you money?
DB: It was the skill set I attained from my managerial experience at Kinko's and Caribou that won them over. Instead of a coffee drink or printing project, my end product is now pizza.

BOI: You've passed the six month mark. How are things going?
DB: The various changes we made, including the makeover of the menu, have gone over well and helped grow our customer base. In fact we were nominated for a Pressie for Best Restaurant! The ambience and atmosphere is not quite where I want it to be, but were getting closer.

BOI: What differentiates your pizza from all the others out there?
DB: First off, the dough is made from a special recipe exclusive to Pie Hole and our sauce doesn't come from a can, it's made and cooked here in the kitchen. We really do strive to use the highest quality and freshest ingredients.

BOI: What's surprised you most since taking over Pie Hole?
DB: Despite the great location, many of the boiz who spent a huge amount of time going to the bars along the Halsted Strip didn't know we were here. We've increased our marketing significantly and that has resulted in increased recognition. Since Pie Hole is open until 6am on Friday and Saturday nights we're now becoming a part of the late-night routine for the weekend party crowd. Instead of tacos or pancakes, we want folks to grab a slice of pizza after a night of drinking and dancing in Boystown.

BOI: You view this as more than just a business opportunity, don't you?
DB: Yes. One of my goals as a gay-owned business is to really be a part of, and a partner with, the community. Currently we work with the new Center On Halsted, Howard Brown's Broadway Youth Center, and the Youth Pride Center downtown.

BOI: What's in that thick planning notebook you got there?
DB: Lots of ideas! One is to add hard liquor to our beer and wine offerings. Also we'll be having coffee and espresso drinks. Another possible idea is to be a one-stop Boystown Coat Check on weekends during the cold weather months. We're still working on the details of that.

Pie Hole
739 W. Roscoe (@ Halsted)
773.525.888 | www.myspace.com/pieholepizza
M-Th: 5pm-3am; F-Sa: 11am-6am; Su: 11am-3am.
Delivery: 5pm-midnight
Delivery Area: [Montrose (4400N) to Fullerton (2400N) & Damen (2000W) to the Lake]