Old World Pizzeria: From Fermentation and Rabbit Farming to New York-Style Slices in Saginaw

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Eric Shevchenko talks about bringing New York-style pizza to Saginaw with Old World Pizzeria. He talks about the power of food as a way to keep people connected, preserve culture, evoke emotion, and be a vehicle for creativity.

Eric explains how pizza became his focus, including a 48-hour research trip to New York eating slices and revisiting favorites. Shevcenko talks about his obsessive experimentation with dough fermentation and hydration, creative menu, and OWP’s burnt Basque-style cheesecake.

Eric recounts earlier experiences in Northern California, including raising rabbits for high-end restaurants near Napa and spending time around fine-dining creativity. He shares why he returned to Saginaw to care for his mother, his hopes for local food culture and security, and stories of customers traveling hours, crying, and calling the shop after a cheese slice. They also cover Eric’s appearance on the Netflix survival series Outlast in Alaska and hints of future projects for Old World Pizzeria.

00:00 Ergonomic Chair Shenanigans & Mystery Knobs
00:40 The Tinned Fish Obsession
03:10 From Preservation Food Co. to Fermentation Roots
04:44 Old World Pizzeria: Going All-In on New York-Style Pizza
05:39 48 Hours in NYC: Slice-Crawling for the Perfect Dough
07:06 Creative Specials, Flop Ingredients & the ‘Burnt’ Cheesecake
08:51 Pizza Origin Story: Midwest Shops, Skateboarding & San Francisco
11:08 Food Memories, Dementia, and Why Comfort Food Matters
13:58 Rabbit Farming to Fine Dining: Supplying Top Bay Area Kitchens
18:27 Fine Dining Creativity, Old Town Food Scene & Pizza as a Vessel
23:18 When a Cheese Slice Makes People Cry: Nailing the NY Balance
25:49 Handling Haters: Taste Is Subjective
26:06 Why Come Back to Saginaw? Family, Roots & the “Vortex”
26:46 From Rabbit Farm to Pizza Shop (and Rumors of Another Location)
27:24 Old World Pizzeria 101: Price, Ingredients & “Clean” Pizza
28:28 Behind the Counter: 5AM Dough, Desserts & Cookie Experiments
30:01 Slice Culture: Fast Takeout, Choose-Your-Adventure & Hours
31:15 Brother Chad’s Return: Nashville to Home Again
32:29 Most Memorable Meals: Fine Dining vs. The People You’re With
34:14 Netflix Survival Show ‘Outlast’: Getting Cast & Alaska Reality
36:55 Cameras, Panic Attacks & What It Takes to Survive
39:43 Ratings, Reality TV Frustrations & On-Camera Lessons
44:53 Rapid Fire Pizza Takes + What’s Next for Old World (Wrap-Up)