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Last summer, bonoPizza (also known as bonoTOGO) was regarded as one of the most well loved pizza joints in Columbus during its five-month run in the Short North. Those fortunate enough to have tried it, know that it was not solely the immaculate taste of the pizza creating its popularity, but the handsome masterminds; Bill and Peggy Yerkes; who were behind the great success. They brought the community coming back day after day.
Bill Yerkes, owner of bonoPizza, has been in the restaurant business since 1982 and is still up and at it every day.
While Yerkes quietly closed bonoPizza’s former location in the Short North this past November, he plans to carry on its legacy to a new location that has been sworn to secrecy. There have been some hints that it still could materialize in the Grandview area, but Bill is keeping it under wraps until everything is ready.
“Everyone thinks it’s at one place, but it’s not,” said Yerkes. “We decided to go somewhere bigger, but we haven’t told anyone. It’s going to be a big surprise and announced for the very first time on Columbus Underground. The grand opening of bonoPizza is going to be filmed on live television no matter what’s going on in the kitchen,” Yerkes chuckled.
“Everyone is like family to us,” said Yerkes when referring to his regular customers. “We like the people who come to our restaurants, which are the only reason we do it.”
Yerkes is an extremely approachable and likable man whose stories keep guests, friends and even new faces intrigued. Each doughball that Yerkes kneads is created in to a gourmet masterpiece with a love and passion for good old fashioned pizza baking.
Until bonoPizza returns, Yerkes’ self-produced mobile wood fired pizza oven will continue keeping his fans alive and biting. Keep your eyes peeled for portable Bono; you might just spot Yerkes’ mobile pizza oven at your next local event.
So thrilled to hear that he’s still planning on reopening sometime soon. :) Missing bonoPizza like crazy!
Cannot wait. Bill’s a fun guy, a pistol if you will. We need to keep clamoring for this, because I NEED me some Hulk pizza!
It’s been too long since my last Ménage àtrois!
oh man – I cannot wait for some bono pizza. I walked by W. Russel yesterday and got a little bummed out. I will still miss having the Yerkes in the neighborhood.
Thanks for the update. It’s a bit selfish, but I hope their new secret hideout will be near the old one! Either way, I will be happy to get to visit them again and have some of that great pizza.
I don’t know why Bill doesn’t just save a step and set up the mobile oven in Roland’s yard.
… this has been one of my secret fantasies! :)
I will take a San Rolando and a Colleen please.
Can’t wait for this. Nothing has filled the void.
Please open again soon… I am forced to eat pies from Marcella’s, which are good- but pale in comparison…
how do i get the portable pizza oven to an event??
Efilsitra: I will email you. ;)
gee, what a nice birthday present. Somebody told me last night about this posting, thank you all so much for these kind words. At the moment we’re helping a guy put together a new place in Old Town East that should be a nice place with good food. On the other hand, we’ve decided to open a place that will appear to have been magically lifted from Naples Italy and dropped in Columbus, right down to the fact we’ll only speak Italian (which will be an accomplishment considering none of us are very good at it) (just add an “o” or “a” to every word) we’ll figure it out. Thanks again for a great birthday gift……bill & peggy