Not much changes at North Dakota's first pizza shop, and that's just the way regulars like it. Sammy's Pizza and Restaurant is all about the pizza, hand-tossed and baked in a brick oven the same way they’ve been making it since 1956. There’s ample space for 70 at the Fargo location and a host of semiprivate booths separated by red-and-white-checked fabric screens.

Pies are available in two sizes: 12-inch and 14-inch (the 12-inch is more than enough for two hungry adults). Basic cheese pizzas cost $10.95 for the smaller size and $13.95 for the larger; additional toppings like onion, mushroom, black and green olives, beef, sausage, Canadian bacon, shrimp, pepperoni and sauerkraut are $1.60 or $1.90 apiece depending on pie size. Dough and tomato sauce are made in-house, though mushrooms come from a can. Each pizza is made fresh and arrives hot at the table within minutes of leaving the oven. Regulars know to call in ahead of time so their pizzas will be ready as soon as they walk in the door; but customers ordering at the table need only wait several minutes before taking that first bite.

The Italian salad ($9) stands out among the side dishes for its balsamic dressing and a piping hot breadstick atop a mound of pepperoni, mozzarella, black olives, tomatoes, onion and romaine lettuce.

Menus may vary slightly by location.