Some people are fiercely loyal when it comes to their pizza places. Once they find their one true pizza love, it's a forever kind of thing. But anyone's loyalty is liable to waver when it comes to Yia Yia's Pizza and Beer in Lincoln. This longtime establishment has earned a cult following for its varied toppings and inventive menu items, and it's pretty easy to see why many believe them to serve the best pizza in Nebraska.
Yia Yia's has been a popular part of Lincoln's food scene since 1993.
Its original downtown location puts it right in the middle of Lincoln's action, and it's a well-known gathering spot for many.
A second location in east Lincoln is making these creative pizzas accessible to more people in the city.
No matter which location you opt for, you'd better bring an open mind and an appetite.
The menu features specialties named after parts of the world, like The Equator (marinara and cheese), The Local (hamburger, pepperoni, bacon, sausage, mushroom, bell peppers, onions, and black olives with marinara and mozzarella), and The Southern (ground turkey, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, spinach, onions, mozzarella, and white sauce).
But, like any great pizza place, Yia Yia's also gives you the freedom to make up your very own specialty pie.
Its list of options is huge. You can choose between seven types of sauce, eight types of cheese (including a soy-free vegan one), 19 veggies, eight kinds of meat, and even a few fruits and nuts.
You can order by the slice or by the pie.
Buying a slice or two for lunch is a great way to try out some new flavor combinations and maybe even invent a new favorite. How about sauerkraut, Italian sausage, and jalapeños? You might want to pick up some antacid before you dig in, but the crew at Yia Yia's will happily bake up your flavorful creation for you, no matter how unusual it may be.
You don't want to pass up the freshly baked bread.
Whether you get it with cheese or just with herbed olive oil, this stuff is addictive. It comes with your choice of marinara, pesto, or red pesto for dipping. Luckily, you can also buy additional cups of sauce on the side so you can try them all.
The salads are just as customizable as the pizzas.
The International Salad comes with fresh garden greens and any five toppings from the menu. Go crazy and mix it up! There are some smothered baked potatoes on the menu that deserve a little attention, too.
Yia Yia's dough and bread are made in-house, and everything is as locally sourced as possible.
The ingredients may be local, but the inspiration for the creative dishes comes from all around the world.
And we haven't even gotten to the beer selection yet.
There are more than 20 craft brews on tap and even more in cans and bottles. When you find that perfect combination of pizza and beer, you'll be hooked for life.
Visit the official website of Yia Yia's Pizza and Beer to find menus for both locations and to see what beers are on tap. Have you fallen under Yia Yia's spell? What's your favorite creation from this Nebraska pizza place? Tell us about it in the comments.
For more delicious eats we recommend checking out this Italian restaurant in Lincoln, Nebraska. Or perhaps you have lofty goals and want to eat at many spots? Why not head out on our road trip to the best pie shops in Nebraska?
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