Stone-fired artisan pizza.

Where can you get amazing, stone-fired artisan pizza made with smoked duck breast and smoked Gouda? At The Locker Room in Aitkin. Located just 20 feet from Block North Brew Pub, The Locker Room is the latest establishment brought to you by the owners of both Block North, and Beanery Café and Roastery—so you know it’s going to be good. (The Locker Room is also a great location to host your next private party.)

Take a short, scenic drive a few minutes east of Cuyuna, and you’ll discover that The Locker Room continues the area’s dedication to maintaining and celebrating its historical roots. It’s housed in a former meat locker (thus, the name) and glimpses of its past life in Aitkin can be seen throughout the décor.

From the wood and tin on the walls, to the original brick, and the lathe trim—all were repurposed from various sources within the community. The bar itself was built from the original freezer doors and tools that were found in the former meat locker building contribute to the authenticity of the décor.

And then there’s the food. You’ll love the food. While they specialize in pizza, it’s not your average pizza—the menu isn’t stuffed with choices. Each menu item was carefully chosen with specialty ingredients and freshness in mind. The dough is hand-tossed and each stone-fired artisan pizza is assembled in front of you.

Along with the smoked duck breast, other equally delicious pizza varieties include: “The Forest” made with delicata squash, goat cheese, truffle burrata, topped with fresh arugula, and toasted pine nuts. Even the “Italian Hawaiian” has a delicious twist, using crispy pork belly and caramelized onions with chimichurri drizzle. Starters include garlic shrimp with toast points, and their Caprese salad is loaded with all the freshness you crave. And what pizza place serves chocolate lava cake? This one does.

In addition to the delicious food, The Locker Room has a full bar and their beverage selections include Italian-inspired specials that were all created especially for The Locker Room, craft beer, and more. It also pulls off a laid-back, sports-bar atmosphere, with big-screen TVs so you won’t miss the game. Watch The Locker Room Facebook for posts about their upcoming free, live music—we heard it’s even danceable. Above all, don’t miss the summer-time, when the living is easy and they open the garage doors onto the patio.