A Different Way of Showing Up at Restaurants
If you spend any time in the comments on my videos, you’ll eventually see the same suggestion pop up: show up unannounced. The idea is that a restaurant won’t have time to prepare, and what you get is the most accurate version of the experience.
Honestly, I understand that point of view and I’d agree with it if I were a traditional food critic. But I’m not. I’m just an overweight guy who loves food, adventure, meeting new people, and learning how things are made. I also happen to enjoy sharing that experience on camera.
My First Visit to Rising Storm at The Mill
Why do I bring up that up to start this blog? Well, I first visited Rising Storm at The Mill about a year ago. I reached out in advance and scheduled the visit, but I showed up during regular business hours when the space was full of customers.
Anyone who’s tried filming in a busy restaurant knows how intimidating that can be. Sitting alone with a microphone a bright light and a camera on me, eating food and saying “wow” while people glance over wondering what’s going on — it’s a lot. Because of that, I don’t think I gave Rising Storm my full attention that day, even though I’d tried some of their food before.
This visit was different.
Going Behind the Scenes Before Opening
This time, I arrived earlier in the day, before Rising Storm opened to the public. That change made all the difference.
I had time to hang out with the cook and the dough maker, ask questions, and really learn about their process. Instead of rushing through a meal, I could slow down and understand how things were done and why.
It also gave me the chance to focus on one of the things Rising Storm at The Mill is especially known for: their Detroit-style pizza. It also means that I could do something a little different and if you’ve seen the video post about them, you know what I mean.
Judging the Pan Before the Pizza
I’ll admit it, when I walked into the kitchen and saw the pizza pan, I was immediately skeptical.
Detroit-style pizza, in my mind, must be made in a traditional rectangular Lloyd pan. Rising Storm uses a square pan instead. Before I even tasted the pizza, I had already made a judgment.
That mindset didn’t last long.
A Detroit-Style Pizza That Won Me Over
Even though I went into the tasting with a closed-off attitude, the first bite completely changed that.
The dough was great. The flavor and texture, and the cheese crust on the outside edge of the pizza was perfect. On top, the combination of banana peppers, pepperoni, and their house blend of herbs and spices brought everything together.
Any doubts I had disappeared quickly.
The Unexpected Dip That Made It Even Better
One of the biggest advantages of visiting before opening is the freedom to experiment.
While talking with the chef, I asked if I could try something a little different, dipping the pizza into their spicy chorizo gravy, which they normally use for their poutine. I’ve seen a similar trend online where Detroit-style pizza gets dipped into butter chicken from a nearby Indian restaurant, and this felt like a perfect local twist on that idea.
The result was incredible.
Arguably it is one of the worst things you can eat, and something that will most likely cause clogged arteries if you do it more than once, but delicious all the same.
What to Drink With It
To round things out, I paired the pizza with Rising Storm’s Up North Trip American Lager.
It’s clean, crisp, and refreshing — a great contrast to the richness and spice of the pizza and chorizo gravy. The balance worked perfectly.
Rising Storm and Eat Local New York Restaurant Week
I’m excited to have Rising Storm at The Mill as part of Eat Local New York Restaurant Week, presented by my friends at The Summit Federal Credit Union.
If you’ve been meaning to check them out, or if it’s been a while since your last visit, Restaurant Week is the perfect time to go.
Plan Your Visit
Stop by Rising Storm at The Mill, try the Detroit-style pizza for yourself, and see why this spot continues to stand out.
And if you’re following along with Eat Local New York, keep an eye out for the video from this visit — it’s a little different, for all the right reasons.
📍 614 Bleecker St, Utica, NY
