Written by: Leyton Furlong
Are you a pizza fan looking to break away from the usual frozen or chain options? Maybe you’re curious about the different styles, recipes and local favorites waiting to be discovered around St. Joseph.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
From New York-style slices and authentic Neapolitan pies to crispy cracker crusts and unexpected specialty creations, here are 10 pizza places to try in and around St. Joseph, Missouri.
Chef Baldee’s Pizza
Located at 1013 Seneca Street, near the Pony Express National Museum, Chef Baldee’s Pizza is a hidden gem more people ought to know about.
Chef Chuck Baldee brings plenty of personality to the experience, serving New York-style pizza from his mobile pizza kitchen. One of the things that sets his pizza apart is a signature sweet-and-spicy marinara sauce made with a family-inspired recipe.
From personal experience, I can tell you that the sauce can hold its own against the bigger pizza chains.
Part of the fun of visiting Chef Baldee’s is meeting Chuck himself. He treats customers like friends and is always happy to talk pizza. He even spelled my name right, which earns bonus points in my book.
Because availability may vary, be sure to call ahead before visiting.
Visit Chef Baldee’s Pizza on Facebook or call (913) 605-0988.
Geneo’s Pizza and Pub
Located at 809 Francis Street in Downtown St. Joseph, Geneo’s Pizza and Pub has been a longtime local favorite.
Local legend even has it that part of the building is haunted, but that’s a story for another day.
Geneo’s has always been special to me because every pizza I’ve had there somehow feels like a new experience. The restaurant works equally well for sitting down with friends or ordering food for an event.
The menu also features options you won’t necessarily find at the larger pizza chains. Specialty pizzas have included creations like the Spaghetti and Meatball and Ragin’ Cajun.
Visit the Geneo’s Pizza and Pub website to view the menu and current hours or call (816) 232-4000.
Pizza Tascio
Located at 1302 Frederick Avenue, Pizza Tascio specializes in New York-style pizza.
And we’re not talking about the average food-court interpretation of a New York slice.
I once asked my brother, who had spent three months in New York City, what the closest thing to New York pizza was back home. Without hesitation, his answer was Pizza Tascio.
The menu puts its own spin on classic recipes, too. One standout is the Red Tascio, featuring sauce, cheese, ricotta, pepperoni, basil and a finishing touch of Mike’s Hot Honey.
If you’re after that big-city pizza experience without leaving St. Joseph, this is one to add to the list.
Visit the Pizza Tascio website or call (816) 306-1059.
II Lazzarone Neapolitan Pizzeria
If you’re looking for something closer to the traditional pizzas of Southern Italy, Il Lazzarone Neapolitan Pizzeria deserves your attention.
Located at 1628 Frederick Avenue, Il Lazzarone has a hip, industrial atmosphere inside a repurposed building that fits perfectly with its old-world approach to pizza.
The pizzas follow traditional Neapolitan techniques and are cooked in a wood-fired Acunto Mario oven imported from Naples, Italy. That intense heat creates the lightly charred, airy crust associated with Neapolitan pizza.
Instead of limiting yourself to the usual toppings, this is the place to branch out and explore combinations inspired by authentic Italian pizza traditions.
And yes, this place has earned a little Chiefs fame over the years, too.
Visit the Il Lazzarone website to explore the menu and current hours or call (816) 273-0582.
Norty’s
Who can say no to pub food?
Located at 1117 Frederick Avenue, Norty’s has just about everything you’d expect from a neighborhood bar and grill. Wings, tacos, tenderloins, burgers and even sushi can all make an appearance on the menu.
But you clicked on an article about pizza, so let’s get back on track.
Norty’s serves pizzas up to 17 inches with plenty of toppings to choose from. If you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional crust, cauliflower crust options are also available.
It’s a good choice for a group where one person wants pizza, another wants wings and someone else suddenly decides sushi sounds better.
Visit Norty’s on Facebook for current hours, menu information and upcoming events or call (816) 364-9043.
EMI Ristorante
Located at 2217 Frederick Avenue, EMI Ristorante offers an Italian dining experience that’s quite a bit different from the typical neighborhood pizza joint.
The restaurant’s pizzas stand out with their airy, substantial crusts and Italian-inspired approach. Options may feature either traditional red marinara or white pizza bianca-style sauces, with creative combinations changing alongside the restaurant’s evolving menu.
Past creations have included pizzas such as the Margherita 2.0 and Tuscan Pork and Beans.
EMI is one of those places where it’s worth checking the menu before you go because you never know exactly what might be coming out of the kitchen next.
Visit the EMI Ristorante website for the current menu, hours and reservation information.
Pizza Royal
Located at 5723 Lake Avenue, Pizza Royal feels like the kind of mom-and-pop pizza shop that’s becoming harder and harder to find.
The restaurant has an old-school atmosphere, complete with antique decorations and the feel of a classic country general store.
Pizza Royal’s pizzas feature a crispy, cracker-style crust paired with a slightly sweet marinara sauce. You’ll also find sides including wings, breadsticks and salads.
My personal favorite, though, is the cheese strips made from that traditional cracker crust with plenty of mozzarella and dipping sauce on the side.
Hours can vary, so calling ahead before making the trip is a good idea.
Visit Pizza Royal on Facebook or call (816) 238-4655.
Gambino’s Pizza
Gambino’s may have locations throughout the Midwest, but its St. Joseph location has become a convenient local stop for pizza lovers.
Located at 5430 Frederick Avenue, the restaurant serves pizzas with a crispy crust, sweet marinara and plenty of cheese.
Calzone fans are in luck, too. Gambino’s offers calzones alongside its pizza menu, plus spaghetti, pasta and salads for anyone looking for something different.
The St. Joseph location’s website also regularly features coupons and special offers, so it’s worth checking before placing your order.
Visit the Gambino’s Pizza St. Joseph website for menus, current hours and available coupons or call (816) 232-0043.
Jay’s Convenience Store
If you’re staying outside St. Joseph or feel like exploring a little farther into the countryside, this one’s for you.
Located in nearby Agency, Missouri, Jay’s Convenience Store has been serving travelers and area residents since 2012.
It’s part convenience store and part roadside diner, and the menu definitely embraces the diner side of that equation.
Pizzas are made on-site, with traditional choices like cheese and pepperoni joined by specialty options such as Canadian bacon, BBQ, chicken bacon ranch and Hawaiian. You may even find breakfast and dessert pizzas.
And if your group isn’t unanimously Team Pizza, Jay’s also offers favorites like wings, chicken tenders, corn dogs and tenderloin sandwiches.
Visit Jay’s Convenience Store on Facebook for current offers and ordering information or call (816) 253-9935.
Pizza Shoppe
Pizza Shoppe has become a familiar name throughout the region, and St. Joseph has its own location at 2229 N. Belt Highway.
It’s hard to say whether regulars are more devoted to the pizza, the salads or the chance to squeeze in a game of Pac-Man.
The pizzas feature a crispy, cracker-style crust and homemade-style marinara sauce, with popular choices including the Original Roundtable and Butcher’s Block. Both come loaded with toppings.
The salads have built a following of their own, too. I know that firsthand because they were probably the only thing my parents ever ordered when they took me there as a kid.
Along with classics like BLT, chicken and Italian salads, the signature Shoppe Salad adds favorites like bacon bits, cheese and pepperoni.
Visit the Pizza Shoppe website for current hours, menus and party information or call (816) 233-8484.
Find Your Perfect Slice in St. Joseph
Whether you prefer a foldable New York-style slice, authentic Neapolitan pizza, a crispy cracker crust or something completely unexpected, St. Joseph’s pizza scene has plenty to explore.
Some places are longtime favorites. Others bring something entirely different to the table.
The only real question is where you’re starting.
Better yet, grab a few friends and turn it into your own St. Joseph pizza tour. Just maybe don’t attempt all 10 in one afternoon.