As you cruise by Mr. Z’s at 501 Southard near the corner of Duval, it’s not uncommon to hear the words, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Philly anymore”.
For over thirteen years, Mike Zielinski, the great and powerful Mr. Z, has been bestowing upon locals the finest fare that the Philadelphia area has to offer.
By living under his personal mantra of, “You’re only as good as your last sandwich”, Zielinski has created a brand that emanates quality and consistency.
Zielinski has become Master of the Meatball, Ruler of the Ribeye, and even the Pizza Pope in the eyes of thousands of salivating locals.
“Our food comes from a good place,” he says with an authentic passion in his voice. “It’s made by locals, for locals”.
When he opened Mr. Z’s in 2001, Zielinski, a multi-talented professional and Navy veteran, was simply following his passion.
“I do what I love, and that’s cooking food for people that matter to me,” he describes. “Everything I grew up on is on this menu and it’s all homemade”.
While many Key Westers immediately recognize Mr. Z’s and their legnedary products, the operation certainly didn’t happen overnight.
“I remember on my first day I worked for 18 hours and left with just over $200,” Zielinski reminisces. “I had to borrow money to pay my Sysco bill”.
Although his confidence may have been shook, Zielinksi relied on two essential aspects of his life; humility and hard work.
“My whole thing was being there for the locals. I wanted to be the official local’s drinking and eating spot. So I kept coming to work and keeping at it because I believed in my product”.
Now, more than a decade later, Mr. Z’s still offers their coveted ‘Locals Appreciation Day” on the last day of every month. Come in and get your hands on one of Zielinski’s stoic cheese steaks or coveted pizzas and it’ll leave you mumbling, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home”.