Turning 10, Transfer Pizzeria expands

Now when weddings order 15 pizzas late at night for reception stragglers, it will go more smoothly for Transfer Pizzeria Cafe on the south side.

Transfer, which opened 10 years ago Monday at S. 1st and W. Mitchell streets, is completing its biggest expansion, one that will boost its takeout and delivery business and provide more room for private parties.

The busy restaurant, 101 W. Mitchell St., now is connected to the vacant building to its west after two years of hands-on work by the owners, brothers John and Russell Rossetto, and with help from family.

The brothers also built out the original restaurant, and they expanded seating in a back room several years ago.

The move gives Transfer a new storefront dedicated to takeout. Customers will be able to pick up orders without having to try to flag down the bartender on busy nights, John Rossetto said.

With more ovens and room for cooking in the addition, Transfer can expand its takeout and delivery business. Before, large takeout orders — like those from wedding receptions — could cause delays in the dining room. Transfer is hiring its own drivers rather than using third-party delivery businesses.

That bigger kitchen also will allow Transfer to cater events away from the restaurant.

Besides a takeout storefront and the kitchen, the expansion has an event space with its own entrance. It will hold an estimated 60 customers seated or about 80 mingling.

And when the expansion isn’t booked for private events, it will provide extra seating, Rossetto said.

The newly attached building, at 107 W. Mitchell, dates to 1890.

“We had to redo the whole exterior of the building, it was so ugly,” Rossetto said.

In removing three layers of siding from the building, the brothers uncovered a painted sign from the Haven Bar, dating to at least 1956. That was carefully removed and installed in the new event space, Rossetto said.

Also exposed: a painted sign for the original Fox Head beer from Waukesha, brewed from 1933 to 1946, according to the website Old Breweries. Part of that sign is visible on the building’s west side.

The addition could open as soon as this week, pending final city permits.

In the meantime, customers who drop in for live music celebrating Transfer’s 10th anniversary through Saturday can have a look at the addition.