07/05/2026
🍕❤️ THE STORY BEHIND THE SLICE ❤️🍕
We've loved reading all of your questions and memories on our recent Facebook post, so we thought we'd start sharing a few stories from our history!
Many have asked, "How did Pagliai's Bowling Green get started?"
It all began with a 19-year-old from Missouri, named George Nicholson.
George started as a dishwasher at one of the Pagliai brothers' pizzerias in Illinois while he was still in high school. Through hard work, he learned every part of the business, eventually becoming a pizza maker. "After graduating high school, he was offered an increase in salary — $100 a week total — to work at one of the Pagliai brothers’ locations in Iowa City, Iowa. Nicholson took them up on that offer."
As the Pagliai brothers expanded into college towns across the Midwest, George was given an incredible opportunity—to open a brand-new pizza house in Bowling Green.
In late 1966, George arrived in Bowling Green to remodel the original location at 1004 S. Main Street. At just 19 years old, he accepted the challenge, and in 1967, Pagliai's Pizza Bowling Green officially opened its doors.
One of our favorite parts of George's story is hearing him talk about the early days. Back then, the menu was simple—pizza and pop! A large pizza was only a few dollars, soft drinks were just cents, and the focus was simply making great pizza. Over the decades, we've grown right along with Bowling Green; expanding our menu to include salads, subs, pasta, soups, breadsticks, appetizers, dessert pizza, catering, our famous buffet, and so much more while staying true to the recipes and quality that built our reputation.
Today, while Pagliai's Bowling Green and the Iowa City restaurant operate independently, we're proud to share the same roots, the same name, and some of the same recipes that started it all.
😱 In 2027, we'll celebrate 60 years of serving the Bowling Green community! Serving slices of heaven since 1967! ❤️🍕 George always affectionately referred to Pagliai's as "The Pizza House," and around here, that's exactly what it is—a place where family, friends, and great memories come together.
🇺🇸 As we wrap up this historic 250th Independence Day weekend, we hope everyone had a safe, fun, and memorable celebration. We honor the brave men and women who have fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day. Family-owned businesses are part of the fabric of this great country, and because of your continued support, ours has had the privilege of serving this community for nearly six decades. Thank you for your patronage, your loyalty, and for making Bowling Green such a wonderful place to call home. ❤️
❤️ STOP IN TODAY FOR YOUR SUNDAY FUNDAY AT THE PIZZA HOUSE! 🍕
🍕 BUFFET ALL DAY 'TIL 9 😎
🍲 TODAY'S SOUPS
• Clam Chowder
• Chef's Choice
☎️ 419-352-7571 FREE DELIVERY ALWAYS! 🏎️
Thank you for being part of our story. Here's to the next 60 years! 🍕❤️ And for anyone who wants to dive deeper into George's story, check out the Sentinel-Tribune feature and the YouTube interview video:
Sentinel-Tribune: "Pagliai's has had eye on the pies for 50 years" https://www.sent-trib.com/2017/03/02/pagliais-has-had-eye-on-the-pies-for-50-years/
George Nicholson interview on YouTube- https://youtu.be/JYSgyjYaja0?si=BjfMPNZ_tsCp4owN
