Among the most favored dishes served up the Perry Hy-Vee’s Throwback Thursday specials is the trademark spaghetti once on the menu at Pucci’s Pizza in Perry.
Pucci’s closed in 2001 after loyally serving its Perry customers for 25 years behind the customer-centered management of the store’s longtime owner Larry Vodenik of Perry, now the community events coordinator at the Perry Hy-Vee.
While Vodenik ran the Perry Pucci’s, he worked in partnership with Dave Becker and Jacob Dittert, who operated Pucci’s restaurants in Dennison and Centerville.
The throwback spaghetti appeared to please diners Thursday at Hy-Vee.
“It’s kind of sweet,” said a man as he worked his way through a great mound of the savory pasta, “like Larry himself.”
Duane Griffin and I ate at Pucci’s the last day that it was open. As I remember, we were the last two customers to leave. I think that it was a Sunday after church. I had the baked spaghetti. It is hard to believe that it was over 15 years ago.
Pucci’s used to have eight locations in Iowa, including one in Webster City. The pizza was so-so, at best, but their taco pizza was interesting, as the sauce was made of pizza sauce and refried beans. Still, it was an acquired taste, at best. They also had fresh-made tacos which were excellent. In fact, they were much better than the pizza itself.