Jake Spitzack
Staff Writer
Jonesing for a massive slice of ’za that can be folded in true New York-style fashion? Adam Kado and Hosie Thurmond have got you covered. In March, they’re opening a branch of Slice Brothers Pizza at the Treasure Island Center, 400 Wabasha S. N. It will be their largest location yet, featuring pizza by the slice from the classic to the exotic, a full-service bar and TVs airing the hottest sporting events.
Slice Brothers is moving into the space that was home to Red’s Savoy pizza for a brief stint before it closed along with many other restaurants and businesses during the pandemic in 2020. Co-owner Adam Kado said minor renovations have been made to make the space their own and that a grand opening event will be scheduled for late March or early April. The space can seat about 40 inside and another 15 on the patio.
The menu features all the classic pies, like pepperoni and supreme, as well as creations like chicken bacon ranch and chicken alfredo, and even one called dill pickle, Coming soon will be wings, garlic knots, pastas and salads.
“I think my personal favorite right now is called the ’roni cup,” said Kado. “It’s like charred pepperonis but when you cook them, they invert and look like upside down pepperonis. Every now and then we’ll bring it out and throw some Nashville hot honey on it and give it a little kick…. I think what we have with Slice is, we can do more than just whole pies. We’re not afraid to take risks and push the envelope on what pizza is.”
New York-style pizzas are typically prepared in advance, and individual slices are then popped into the oven for reheating when a customer places their order. This allows for quick service and gives the crust a slight crunch.
The duo has had success offering their food at venues like the Target Center and plan to stay tied to the sports and entertainment scene – something that should be easy to do, as the Minnesota Wild’s practice ice is located just a few floors above them.
Kado and Thurmond met while playing high school basketball and have been best friends ever since. Kado attended Central High School and Thurmond, Harding High School. After graduation, Kado played collegiate basketball at Fresno Pacific University in California and then overseas for a few years before returning to the states and becoming an entrepreneur. Thurmond graduated from the University of Minnesota and also became an entrepreneur, working in various fields. They signed the lease for their first Slice Brothers location – a diminutive 300-square-foot space in northeast Minneapolis – in 2019 but didn’t open until 2021 due to construction delays and leasing negotiations.
“By the time we were operational I feel like I got a bachelor’s in construction management and leasing negotiations,” said Kado, who worked at Papa Johns throughout high school. “Working through those first two years of just paying bills and not bringing in any money was like paying tuition at a university. By the time we were open I feel like I had learned so much already. I mean, you learn from wins, but you learn a lot more from losses and when you go through two years of taking losses, you learn a lot.”
The two worked hard to offer the best pizza by the slice they could and eventually opened a branch in July 2022 at the Midtown Global Market in South Minneapolis. They expanded to Frogtown in St. Paul in September 2023 and to the Mall of America in October 2023. Today they have about 35 employees and offer dine in, delivery and catering.
“Most of our employees have worked with us since inception so we feel like we have a family culture that brings out loyalty and a sense of community,” said Kado. “It’s more than just business and transactions.”
Why did the partners choose to open their first pizzeria?
“Everybody loves pizza,” said Kado. “It’s affordable and, more than anything, it tastes good.”
For more information, visit sliceminneapolis.com.
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