Jim and Elaine Rima have been warned but they are not backing down.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Jim and Elaine Rima have been warned but they are not backing down.
They continue to offer tasty cooked to order comfort food and pizza at unbelievable prices and they are not going to stop.
"You're giving those pizzas away!" the Rimas have been told by satisfied customers.
The Rimas have owned and operated Crazy Mary's for thirteen years after buying the business from the late Mary Swanson.
The Rimas also have experience in the restaurant business from working with Jim's family restaurant at New Hampton, Iowa near Waterloo.
Jim also taught and coached high school students in that area having signed his first teaching contract for $4200 in 1957.
Elaine worked in the kitchen at Crazy Mary's in salad prep until her heart condition required her to slow down five years ago.
Crazy Mary's pizza sauces are constantly being experimented with and improved upon, said Jim, as is the thin, crispy and chewy crust dough. Jim also makes Crazy Mary's chili from scratch, and spaghetti sauce.
Business comes from local and outlying areas including Bluffdale, Gladstone, Biggsville, Alexis, Aledo, Keithsburg, Burlington, Iowa and Monmouth.
"We even have some folks from Stronghurst that I meet half way," said Jim.
Delivery is available from Crazy Mary's if you live in a ten mile radius and make a minimum order varying from $10-$20.
Jim said the most popular pizza is the pepperoni and the deluxe.
Prices range from $6.00 for a small single topping pizza to about $14 for a large taco or deluxe.
Toppings include sausage, pepperoni, black olives, green peppers, mushrooms, canadian bacon, onions, beef, and Italian sausage.
Crazy Marys features a buffet night on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.
The $5.00 all-you-can-eat buffet includes pizza, salad bar items, and a hot dish that Jim says usually includes tacos, chicken and noodles, or scalloped potatoes and ham.
Crazy Mary's is also famous for Jim's hand-pressed tenderloins.
"I sell the tenderloins in bags of ten, frozen to out-of-towners," Jim said. "And there are former Oquawka residents who come to visit from Chicago and always take two large deluxe pizzas half baked back home with them when they go."
The single topping pizzas are particularly good on buffet night.
Crazy Mary's pizzas are made with plenty of cheese and aren't loaded down with too much sauce making for a good balance allowing you to taste all the ingredients.
The tacos were good too and have all the toppings available on the salad bar.
Crazy Mary's is open at 4 p.m. seven days a week and closes around 9 p.m. or when all patrons have been served.
"We don't send anyone home hungry here," said Jim.
To place an order at Crazy Mary's give them a call at 309-867-4500.
Crazy Mary's is located along Illinois 164 east in Oquawka.