Vi’s Pizza – Five Generations of Pizza Tradition

Family Pizza in the Iron Range

When you think of the Iron Range, you may think of many things, but pizza might not be one of those things.

In one town on the Range, pizza is a big deal.

And it’s been a big deal for decades.

Kim Mattson from Vi’s Pizza in Biwabik says pizza has been the mainstay on their menu since they opened more than 30 years ago.

“I am the owner, manager, bottle washer, table cleaner, cook,” says Mattson, describing the many job descriptions she has at the pizzeria on Main Street.

Vi’s pizza is far from a mom and pop pizza place.

It is five generations of people from this family that keep this business running.

“My kids, who have bought in now, have purchased this building,” Mattson explains. “And when we retire they’re taking it. They are the fourth generation. We have the fifth generation – like last Saturday night, my granddaughter was in here. She busses, she cleans tables, she does dishes.”

Most of the history of Vi’s pizza did not take in its current location.

It started in Kim’s grandma’s house.

Then they rented a location down the street.

And two years ago, Kim’s sons purchased the current building and turned Vi’s pizza into what it is today.

“I’m so thrilled with this place,” Mattson said. “I’m sad it took us 32 years to get here, but I’m proud of the product.”

That product is a pizza recipe that also goes back a few generations to Kim‘s grandmother, who made the recipe for pizza at time when it was a little foreign to this part of the country.

“We couldn’t have this if it wasn’t for her,” Mattson said. “She came up with this recipe and thought, ‘I’m going to make the money for myself. I’m not going to work for anybody else.’ She opened it up in her home, which was interesting in those days. You could get by with a lot. She did, and she did well, and we’re still here however many years later!”

They offer thin crust pies that are cooked to order, with whatever toppings you’d like, still holding true to the recipe that Kim’s grandmother made all those years ago.

The menu at Vi’s is expanding way past just pizza.

They have a taco night with homemade tacos, and they’re working on having an Italian night with four different pasta offerings.