John Milliard ran the toaster at Pappy's Pizza & Subs when he was just 12 years old. Over three decades later, he owns the place -- and he's carrying forward the legacy of the man who mentored him, founder Ron Pappas.
In this episode, Carol sits down with John at Pappy's on Elm Street in Manchester to talk about buying back his mentor's restaurant, the three-month renovation that brought it into a new era, and what it means to honor someone who changed the course of his life.
They cover:
● The story behind the "Toast Boy" nickname and how it led to ownership
● Ron Pappas's legacy running Pappy's from a wheelchair -- and what it taught John about giving back
● The 2022 purchase and the full-scale renovation that followed
● Pappy's most iconic menu staples, plus the 20-inch pizza eating challenge
● What John thinks Ron would say if he walked through the door today
Pappy's Pizza & Subs
1531 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101
ilovepappys.com
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This episode is sponsored by Belmont Hall & Restaurant -- Carol's family restaurant, now owned by her sister.
\[Belmont Hall address / website / social -- confirm exact details before publishing]
ABOUT BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL
Carol Erickson, owner of Red Arrow Diner since 1987, sits down with the people behind New Hampshire's food and hospitality scene. It's not just about the food -- it's about the journeys, the community, and what drives people to go beyond.
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John MilliardGuest
Carol EricksonHost
