Tag Archive: Salad

1. Monical’s Nutritional Calculator

   April 15, 2014 1:29 pm 62 Comments

   

   In response to both increased guest demand and pending legislation under the Affordable Care Act, we decided to update our on-line nutrition information to make it more user- friendly.  We searched for a provider who could give us a more comprehensive approach for accessing our nutritional information.  After reviewing a large number of nutritional information pages on restaurant websites, we concluded that a “nutrition calculator’ would be an excellent approach for us to follow.  The nutritional calculator allows guests to “build” their meals and then receive a broad range of nutritional information.  A bonus of this effort was that the nutritional calculator would also list potential allergens to assist guests with food allergies in making safe meal choices.

    

   We selected Nutritional Information Services (NIS), a company headquartered in Washington D. C., as our nutritional information provider.  We submitted to NIS all of our recipes (including specialty recipes from our franchisees) along with portion information and product specification sheets for all of the food products we utilize in our operations.  Utilizing our information, NIS built a calculator specific to our corporate menu which will be linked to our new website.  While the calculator will be specific only to the corporate menu, each individual franchise location will have a link to a PDF, which will contain nutritional information specific to their local menu.

    

   Healthy eating is a product of making good choices based on accurate information combined with an active lifestyle.  For most people it doesn’t mean giving up the things you enjoy, just making choices with balance and moderation in mind.  Monical’s Pizza is working to provide enjoyable food of high quality with the information our guests need to make good meal decisions.

2. Monical’s Menu helps this Mom ‘Git-R-Done’

   February 24, 2012 5:34 pm Leave a Comment

   
   
   

   Monical’s Menu helps this Mom ‘Git-R-Done’
   Growing up my elders always told me, “the older you get the quicker time goes by” and man, were they right!  Like many working mothers I wear many hats and I have found, after having children, that time speeds by even faster.  My daughter, Josephine, is 17 months old and my son, Gavin just turned 3 on February 7th.

   To celebrate we had a party and of course this party had to have a theme, activities, prizes and not to mention a fantastic menu.   The theme was easy, Disney Pixar CARS as Gavin is a HUGE fan! Decorations, no problem!  Some handmade some store bought. Goody bags….check! Name the character trivia for the game and car related prizes such as car wash – piece of cake!  Coloring books, crayons,  stickers and more to keep the kids occupied – fantastic.  Now the burning question….what will the menu be and how can I relate it to this theme?

   Hmmmm. I pondered for a while then thought, “my family LOVES Monical’s and the Manteno, IL location always gives great service and the food is out of this world”. That settled that question but now, how can I make it fit the theme?  Looking at the menu and recalling the names of character in CARS it hit me; we will have – Ramone’s Rollies, Sally’s Salad, Route 66 breadsticks, Francesco Cheese Fries, Guido’s Italian Special Point Pizza and Tow-Mater and Cheese Pizza!  What a hit!!  Everyone revved their engines and raced to the food table to fill up their tanks and enjoyed every bite!

   Car related puns aside, the service and food as usual were fantastic and left them craving more!  Thank you Monical’s for being a true “Family Pleaser” and for helping to make my son’s birthday party a true success!

3. We love trying your recipes too!

   September 9, 2011 10:05 am 2 Comments

   With the cooler weather quickly approaching, why not try this amazing meatloaf! This recipe was submitted by Christine Loy, a loyal guest. She says: “The sweet and tart makes all the difference. It is awesome!” If you are not near a Monical’s location, you can order our dressing online by clicking here.

   Find this and other recipes right here on our blog by clicking our ‘Recipes’ link above (or click here).

   

4. A duo meant for the ages… “Sweet & Tart”

   August 23, 2011 3:06 pm 2 Comments

   For 50 years, Monical’s has been famous (in part) for our Sweet & Tart Salad Dressing.  Our Guests have learned to use it not just on salad, but also on pizza, breadsticks, sandwiches and just about anything else on the menu.

   [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=fGoeVbU5gZY]The original Sweet & Tart recipe dates back many years, and the recipe is not easy to reproduce or duplicate. The slightest variation in the way it’s made can cause changes in color, texture or taste. Because of the incredibly loyal following this dressing has, our Guests or our Management Teams notice changes immediately. It’s then that our Quality Assurance Team must spring into action and work with vendors to find a solution.

   We not only purchase the dressing in large quantities for restaurant use, but also sell it (a lot of it) in pint bottles. We recently developed a “light” version with a nearly identical taste profile that is (shameless promotion to follow) for sale online or in our restaurants.

   Due to the extreme popularity of our Sweet & Tart Salad Dressing, we know we must do whatever is necessary to monitor and protect the quality and consistency of this product.  Salad dressing may not seem like a big thing to many restaurants, but to us and our Guests, it’s a significant part of what makes Monical’s special.

5. Join Monical’s in taking a bite out of Childhood Hunger

   August 9, 2011 2:03 pm 2 Comments

   Monical’s Pizza Joins Share Our Strength’s Dine Out For No Kid Hungry^™

   September 18 – 24, 2011

   Restaurants Across the Country Embrace Week-Long Event to End Childhood Hunger in America

   Bradley, IL… Monicals’s Pizza is proud to announce its participation in Share Our Strength’s Dine Out For No Kid Hungry^™, a week-long national restaurant event in cities across the United States. From September 18-24, Monical’s will be offering 20% off a one topping Family Pleaser^® and making a $1 donation for every one purchased to NO KID HUNGRY. Participating store locations are available at DineOutForNoKidHungry.org and www.monicalspizza.com/shareourstrength.

   

   20% off Family Pleaser offer Aug. 29-Sept. 25, 2011

   This is one of the many ways thousands of restaurants all across America will be raising funds this September to support No Kid Hungry^™, Share Our Strength’s national campaign to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. More than 17 million children in America—almost one of four—struggle with hunger. With the support of thousands of restaurants like Monical’s Pizza, dozens of corporate partners and millions of consumers, Share Our Strength is changing that.

   “Monical’s has been a an active supporter of numerous community services throughout our 51 year history. I can think of no better effort than to eliminate childhood hunger in America. That’s a cause we can get behind,” states Janelle Reents, President.

   “We are asking everyone—private citizens, businesses, policymakers and other nonprofits—to help us end childhood hunger in this country,” said Bill Shore, Founder of Share Our Strength.  “We continue to be amazed by the generosity and commitment of the restaurant industry and its customers. Last year, they raised more than $1.5 million through Dine Out For No Kid Hungry, a record high and twice what was raised the year before. Our goal is to involve as many restaurants and their customers as it takes to make No Kid Hungry a reality by 2015.

   “I encourage everyone to dine out often at participating Dine Out For No Kid Hungry restaurants in September, then visit our web site, Strength.org, to learn what more they can do to make sure every child in America has access to the nutritious food they need.”

   Share Our Strength’s Dine Out For No Kid Hungry is sponsored by Sysco, Ecolab, American Express, USA Today and the National Restaurant Association.

   About Monical’s Pizza

   Founded in 1959, Monicla’s Pizza consists of 63 restaurants in Illlinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.  More information about our company can be found at www.monicalspizza.com.

   About Share Our Strength

   Share Our Strength^®,a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.  Through its No Kid Hungry^® Campaign—a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015—Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs; invests in community organizations fighting hunger; teaches families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-private partnerships to end childhood hunger, at the state and city level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org to get involved.

6. If you love Sweet & Tart Dressing …you’ll love these recipes!

   July 26, 2011 9:12 am Leave a Comment

   Here is a quick and easy recipe for Sweet & Tart Taco Salad! It’s great for Dinner,  Picnics or Pot-Lucks! Swing by Monical’s today to get your Family Garden Salad and Sweet & Tart Dressing! If you are not near a Monical’s location, you can order our dressing online by clicking here.

   Find this and other recipes right here on our blog by clicking our ‘Recipes’ link above (or click here).

   

7. Recycling at Monical’s Corporate Support Center

   May 31, 2011 4:05 pm 2 Comments

   It began with recycling aluminum cans. Many of us were drinking canned soft drinks, so we installed a can crusher on the wall in our employee kitchen and placed a lined plastic garbage can under it. After empty cans were crushed, they simply fell into the lined garbage can. Once a bag became half-full, we took it to the local recycling center and redeemed it for cash. The money was then used to buy Dairy Queen treats for the office.

   Next, it was paper and cardboard. We spoke with our waste collector and found that by choosing one day of the week to recycle paper and cardboard (Thursday worked best), we could reduce the quantity of pick-ups. In addition to helping the environment, this method of recycling actually saved the company money.

   Then, plastic recycling tubs were placed under our desks and a we put a large tub in the fax/copier area. We designated a 4’ x 8’ area in our file room to collect corrugated cardboard during the week. On Thursdays, we spend 15 minutes dumping our tubs into a large pick-up can where it’s then pulled to the outdoor trash area near our employee entrance. The corrugated cardboard is broken down, placed in saved corrugated cardboard boxes, and set out with the paper to await for pickup. It’s gone before the end of our work day.

   Next, we tackled the prospect of recycling plastic bottles. A garbage can was placed in our kitchen specifically for PET and polyethylene bottles. We began noticing that the employees who didn’t have recycling collection at home began bringing their used bottles too. This presented two more opportunities: batteries and plastic bags.

   We only needed three square feet of space to accomplish this. For batteries, we placed a basket next to our shredding area. For plastic bags, we placed a plastic laundry hamper in the same area. As we began recycling the batteries from various office tools, the plastic bags from our lunches, the used packing materials and mailing sleeves, we once again found that our employees were continuing the effort by bringing their own used batteries and plastic bags from home.

   The batteries are recycled at the Interstate Battery Store, located just a couple of blocks away from our office. Interstate has taken it upon themselves to collect and store used batteries until a recycling center in the area is identified. The laundry hamper full of plastic bags is taken to a local grocery store where they happily accept them.

   Finally, our IT coordinator began accepting copier and printer cartridges for his church to recycle. As a result of this, we’ve been able to divert 50% of our spent cartridges to support his efforts.

   We seem to be treating this process casually and consistently. The reality of recycling is that it doesn’t take much time or require huge amounts of extra space and, in the end, we save the company money. We enjoy this small group effort for a variety of reasons, and rewarding our employees with ice cream certainly adds to the enjoyment.

8. Monical’s Pizza offers Calzone!

   May 17, 2011 1:17 pm 2 Comments

   A calzone (Italian “stocking”) is a turnover that originated in Italy. It is made of ingredients similar to pizza folded over and shaped like a crescent.  The typical calzone is stuffed with tomato and mozzarella, and may include other ingredients usually associated with pizza toppings.

   If you’re into Monical’s big flavor in a new “package,” you should check out our version of Italy’s traditional calzone.  We start with our pan dough, fill it with Part-Skim Mozzarella, Puree and any three toppings (with a few exceptions that we’ve found don’t cook well). The dough is then rolled over into a half moon shape, sprinkled with Shredded Parmesan Cheese and baked to a golden brown.  It’s part pizza, part pie and part sandwich.  The best part is it still contains the same ingredients as every Monical’s pizza, but a completely new shape.

   For pizza lovers, Monical’s calzone is an old favorite in a new form.  It will be satisfying to large appetites and to those looking to not only try something a little different, but an Italian calzone with a definite Monical’s twist.  The catch is that it’s only available for a limited time, so if new is your thing then you’ll want to check it out pretty soon.

9. “Quality” used by many…Defined by Monical’s

   March 22, 2011 4:04 pm 5 Comments

   It would be difficult to find a restaurant that doesn’t make some sort of quality claim about their food. “Quality” is a word used often and it probably means different things to different people. When it comes to pizza does it mean 100% cheese, “real” tomatoes or pure meats?

   I don’t know what the word “quality” means to other restaurants, but I do know what it means at Monical’s Pizza. It means that for over 50 years, we’ve kept to precisely the same recipe with the same ingredient specifications without diminishing the pizza sizes (our “large” has always been 16”). Our dough recipe is the same as it’s always been, the Mozzarella is still part skim (which is why it isn’t greasy), with a little Provolone to give it added dimension. Our sausage is fresh, pure pork with no fillers. Puree is packed fresh from the fields and comes from the Stanislaus Company of California, a premier producer of tomato products.

   However, maintaining our quality is more than just using the same ingredients and procedures. Maintaining our quality means we’re constantly listening.

   We listen to our ingredient suppliers because changes in weather conditions can produce different quality tomatoes and different milk output from the dairy herds. Production variations might occur at our suppliers’ facilities, which requires intervention on our part to discover what has changed and how to correct it so that we can continue supplying the product our Guests have come to expect.

   Most importantly, we listen to our Guests. Quality at the restaurant level is monitored by management, as well as through independent surveys and an 800 Guest Hotline. We take quality and guest service seriously. To have maintained the same level of quality for over 50 years means we listen closely and do whatever it takes to ensure our Guests are happy.

   When people spend their hard-earned money at a restaurant, they rightfully have certain expectations for that restaurant experience. Monical’s Pizza has a reputation for a unique and first-quality pizza (and everything else on our menu) delivered in a family-like atmosphere. Living up to that reputation isn’t something that comes easily, but we work very hard to meet or exceed the expectations of our Guests. That’s why the name of our company means what it does to the Guests we serve.

10. Welcome

    February 24, 2011 8:08 am 5 Comments

    Darkness is beginning to fall and there’s a slight chill in the air.  As the campfire is lit, campers are drawn to the warmth and the light.  They circle around the fire and begin to converse, tell stories, and sing camp songs. It’s one of those shared experiences you look forward to, tend to remember, and want to repeat.

    For Monical’s Pizza, our core menu items are our campfire. They attract people almost magically and make them want to come back again and again. And once attracted, they enjoy the social attributes of the experience. They converse, share stories and enjoy one another’s company.  This is the “song-sharing” aspect of the Monical’s experience. This is “We Bring People Together.”

    Our blog is intended to give our community an opportunity to hear and share the stories created around the shared experience of our beloved Pizza, Salad, Sweet & Tart Dressing and Breadsticks. Stories could include a first visit to Monical’s, a most memorable visit to Monical’s, or what a person misses most about Monical’s (for people who no longer live in the area). These same stories may also be told by our team members as they share the experience of their first day working at Monical’s, people they’ve met and served while working at Monical’s, or what working for the company has meant to them.

    Please grab your blankets and join us. We look forward to the many stories that are waiting to be told!