Since St. Louis has its own unique style of pizza, featuring its own unique type of cheese called Provel, opinions on what is the best pizza are often a dividing issue in Missouri. Either you love Provel, or you hate it. There isn't much room in between so I tried to highlight a few non-provel restaurants. It's also important to note that many (but not all) restaurants will serve you mozzarella instead of provel if you simply ask them to. With that said, here are a few great Missouri pizza spots.
1. Pi Pizzeria, St. Louis
With 5 locations in St. Louis as well as Washington D.C. and Cincinatti, Ohio, Pi’s claim to fame is their unique corn meal crust, which comes in both thin and thick crusts. They also offer gluten free and vegan options as well as draft beer, cocktails and wine. They are open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to midnight, and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. In addition, they offer coffee and pastries each day from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. You can visit their website at Pi Pizzeria for menu, locations, and more.
2. Pastaria by Niche, St. Louis
Although they are most known for their homemade, organic pasta, Thrillist, a food and drink travel site, named them "Best Pizza in Missouri" for their wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza. Located at 7734 Forsyth Boulevard in Clayton, they are open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. They also have a private dining room for parties up to 50, catering, delivery through Food Pedaler, and free parking in the garage. Visit Pastaria for more information.
3. Brooklyn Pizza, Fulton
Located at 501 Court Street in Fulton, they claim to be Reader’s Choice "Best in Rural Missouri". They use fresh ingredients that are locally grown as well as 100% whole milk mozzarella. They are open on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sundays from noon to 7:00 p.m. and are closed on Mondays. They offer delivery and catering, and cook their pizza in a traditional pizza oven on stone. For menu, history and more, visit their website at Brooklyn Pizza.
4. Reeds Spring Pizza Co., Reeds Spring
Located at 22065 Main Street in historic Reeds Spring in a town that calls itself "The Mayberry of the Ozarks", they have been named by USA Today several times as the best pizza in Missouri. They are open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. or "until the cashews run out" as cashews are one of their most unique topping ingredients and very popular. Visit their website at Reeds Spring Pizza Co. for menu, history and more.
5. Shakespeare’s Pizza, Columbia
With three locations in Columbia, Shakespeare’s offers fresh made dough and provolone cheese. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Two of their three locations have private party rooms for up to 130 people as well as outdoor seating for up to 70. For addresses, menu, and more information, visit Shakespeare’s Pizza.
6. Pizza House, Springfield
Pizza House has been preparing hand rolled, thin crust pizza since 1958 and are located at 312 E. Commercial Street in Springfield. They are open Tuesday through Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and are closed on Sundays and Mondays. They also have a private room available that seats up to 40 people. Visit Pizza House for more information.
7. Minsky’s Pizza, Kansas City
This Zagat Award-winning restaurant has also been named "Kansas City’s Best Pizza" many times and it’s no wonder. They have 15 locations throughout the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and claim to be, "Gourmet, and Going To Stay That Way". Offering 100% mozzarella cheese, a full bar, online ordering and delivery, as well as "take and bake" option, they are open Monday-Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Locally owned and operated, you can find out more at Minsky’s Pizza.
8. Pizza Glen, Clinton
"Good Food, Good Service, Good Prices!" Their motto bears true for this family owned restaurant that has been in business since 1976. They feature homemade dough and sauce, fresh cut salads, and homemade ranch dressing. They are open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sundays from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. They are located at 205 East Rives Road in Clinton. You can find out more or follow them on Facebook by visiting Pizza Glen.
9. Calgaro’s Pizza, Warsaw
In business since 2002 at 840 East Main Street in Warsaw, Calgaro’s also has a location in Cole Camp. They make their pizza larger than usual (the medium is the size of a large at most places) and everything is homemade that can be. Their hours are Wednesdays an Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. They offer delivery at the Warsaw location as well as a "half-baked" option. For more information, visit Calgaro’s Pizza.
10. Stone Canyon Pizza Co., Parkville
Stone Canyon has been in business at 15 Main Street in historic downtown Parkville since 1995, and at their second location at 8630 NW Prairie View Road in Zona Rosa in Kansas City since 2009. They use fresh locally grown vegetable, fresh homemade dough, cheese from Wisconsin and locally grown meats. They open each day at 11:00 a.m., and offer private dining for up to 32 available Sundays through Thursdays. Visit their website at Stone Canyon Pizza Co. for more information.
11. Dewey’s Pizza
With a total of 22 locations (most in Ohio), there are 6 locations in St. Louis, and is one of the places in Missouri to get a non-St. Louis style pie. They are open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Visit Dewey’s Pizza for locations, menu, and more.
12. La Pizza Cellar, Rockaway Beach
Located at 3015 Highway 176 in Rockaway Beach, they serve delicious pizzas in an actual cellar. They specialize in a thin crust with lots and lots of cheese, and have a very casual, laid back atmosphere. Visit their Facebook page at La Pizza Cellar for hours and more information.
13. Cusaneli’s, St. Louis
Located at 705 Lemay Ferry Rd in a 200-year-old remodeled house locally known as "Old Risch’s 9-mile house", they serve traditional St. Louis style pizza. This family owned business has been around for 61 years, so they know pizza. They are open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sundays and Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visit their website at Cusanelli’s for menu, history and other information.
14. Imo’s
With tons of locations all over St. Louis, as well as throughout Missouri and in parts of southern Illinois, Imo’s may be the most well-known traditional St. Louis style pizza. Each store is individually owned and operated, and the first Imo’s was open in 1964 at Thurman and Shaw in St. Louis. They had 30 stores by 1985 and currently there are more than 90. Find out more about Imo’s by visiting their website at Imo’s Pizza.
15. Racanelli’s Pizza, St. Louis
This New York Style Pizzeria has a total of five locations including Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Central West End, St. Peters and University City on Delmar. They offer online ordering and catering, and their hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00, except for the Central West End until 10:00 and U-City on Delmar until midnight. They use fresh made dough and sauces, 100% whole milk mozzarella cheese. Visit Racanelli’s for more information.
Have you been to any of these restaurants or know of a great place we may not have included this time? Provel or no-Provel? What is your favorite type of pizza? Share in the comments below.
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