This is the fifth, and last, post on Purchased Pizza & Interesting Post Offices in Florida from the 22-23 season. I continue with Central FL here. We drove over to Lakeland to see Florida Southern College to see one of the largest collections of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings. While there, of course, I needed to sample pizza. Jet’s in Lakeland and the Post Office is in Lake Wales are reviewed here.
Table of Contents
- Nebalatan Word of the Day
- Florida Southern College & Frank Lloyd Wright
- Florida Post Office Offices – Part 5
Nebalatan Word of the Day
Mannaggia (pronounced – maa-naa-juh) – damn/cursing (likely Italian phrase – male ne aggia/male ne abbia)
- Used in context with Ma (Grandma Joanne) – ANOTHER TRUE STORY
- Ma – “Michael, please put your toys away.”
- Me (as an 1 1/2 year old) – “Do it self!” while mouthing my first complete-ish sentence
- Ma – “Mannaggia!“
As with Stunad and Scustumad with are a couple of the many words that mean idiot or crazy person, Mannaggia is one of many ways to express exasperation. Almost everyone that I grew up with used/uses Mannaggia.
Florida Southern College & Frank Lloyd Wright
It may surprise you, it certainly did me, that one of the largest collections of Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) architectural delights is in the Central Florida city of Lakland at Florida Southern College (website). We took a tour offered by the college. I knew little about FLW before the tour other than he was the pioneer of Mid-Century Modernism, and certainly believed that most of his work was in the north.
Florida Post Office Offices – Part 5
Lake Wales, FL Post Office
Built in 1940, the Lake Wales, FL is a classic version of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) architectural design esthetic by Louis Simon. This design looks rather out of place in Central Florida because I’m used to seeing it in the Northeast. My guess is that Simon had a proven design concept and just kept it going. The primary exterior difference is that the brick is tan versus typically red in the Northeast. I’m not sure why tan brick is chosen since I’ve found other red brick PO’s in FL.
Internally, it’s mural is a stunning example of WPA period and location specific artwork. It’s landscape depiction of the orange groves of that region of FL.
Jet’s Pizza (website)- Lakeland, FL – 4/10/23
Full Purchased Pizza Table of 93 Pizzeria Reviews (click here).
| Style | Rating | Go Back? | Dough | Sauce | Cheese | Presentation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | Good | Yes | Nice thick and greasy with good cheese edge | Good, thick and rich, but could use another Detroit stipe or two | Didn’t seem to be brick cheese as to be expected on a Detroit Style, seemed to be moozedell, disappointing. But HOLY CRAP was there lots of cheese! | Great cardboard box with branding and nice graphics | A regional chain, but not badly done like others. Likely in Lakeland because if the city’s connection to the Detroit Tigers. |
We were in Lakeland, FL to see the Frank Lloyd Wright designed architecture at Florida Southern College. Given that Lakeland is the spring training home of the Detroit Tiggers, I figured Detroit Style pizza was in order. There’s a Tampa area chain called Jet’s with a shop in Lakeland. So, that was the ticket!
I’ve said in the past that I’m not a chain “guy”, but I must say, Jet’s left a good impression. The pizza was undeniably Detroit, with its characteristic thick and greasy crust. The dough was nicely prepared, providing a delightful chewy texture that complemented the overall taste.
On the plus side, the presentation of the pizza was well done. It arrived in a great cardboard box with branding and appealing graphics that enhanced the overall dining experience.
When it comes to the sauce, it was good – thick and rich, adding a burst of flavor to every bite. However, I couldn’t help but wish there were a few more Detroit stripes on top to elevate the experience further.
One aspect that disappointed me was the choice of cheese. Traditionally, Detroit Style pizzas are known for their use of Wisconsin brick cheese, but it seemed to be moozedell. While the abundance of cheese was impressive, the deviation from the authentic recipe was a bummer.
In conclusion, I enjoyed Jet’s. Rarely do I give a “good” rating to a chain, but Jet’s deserves a “Good, but Not Great” rating.
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