TO BE HONEST, THE MENU IS KINDA CHEESY. Broadway Bar & Pizza recently opened on Hastings Way, unloading train decor and homemade pizzas a-plenty on Eau Claire.

If you happen to hear a train whistle while driving down Hastings Way, don’t fret, it’s just someone ringing the train whistle at newly opened Broadway Bar & Pizza.

The Minnesota-based franchise just opened their first out-of-state location right here in Eau Claire. Dubbed “the meat and potatoes of pizza” by manager Dave Crenshaw, Broadway recently opened up in the old Boston’s location in mid-December.

According to Crenshaw, Broadway Pizza has a very similar style to Boston’s, for which he also served as manager. However, Broadway Pizza has a very different flavor profile. Boston’s was all about gourmet and exotic flavors, while Broadway Pizza prides itself on its Midwest flavor, evident in its famous thin crust sausage pizza. This sounds like a very simple pizza, but Broadway Pizza not only makes their own dough in house, they also have their own special recipe for their Original Red Broadway Sauce and fresh seasoned sausage.

I ordered the Island Pizza – described as “a unique, tropical pizza feast” featuring “premium Canadian bacon, herb-seasoned chicken breast and chunks of pineapple.” The crunchy yet flaky crust, loaded with sauce and toppings, was bursting with flavor and took me by surprise.

Broadway Pizza has an awe-inspiring amount of food choices including appetizers, soups, chicken wings, salads, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, hoagies, pastas, pizzas, and desserts. When I stopped by, I ordered the Island Pizza – described as “a unique, tropical pizza feast” featuring “premium Canadian bacon, herb-seasoned chicken breast and chunks of pineapple.” The crunchy yet flaky crust, loaded with sauce and toppings, was bursting with flavor and it took me by surprise. It was honestly some of the best pizza I’ve had in Eau Claire.

The original Broadway Pizza is on Broadway and Main streets in Minneapolis. In honor of those living and working in the center of the railroad activity, owner Eddie Peck chose to center Broadway Pizza on a train theme, making Broadway Pizza what it is today.

Train tracks and train pictures frame the restaurant like a wall border, while alternating red and green train lights hang above every dining table. Anyone can ring the train whistle behind the hostess desk, where it can be heard around the restaurant.

Broadway Bar & Pizza features a full bar, big TVs, trivia, happy hour, a weekday lunch buffet, a kids night, par-baked pizza, online ordering, and delivery anywhere in Eau Claire, Altoona, and Lake Hallie.

Broadway Bar & Pizza 1920 S. Hastings Way 832-5100 broadwaypizzaeauclaire.com