March 2, 2026

Written by: Leyton Furlong

 

Pizza Royal is the perfect restaurant for people who love both antiques and local restaurants. It’s not as well-known as some other local pizzerias, but it’s definitely one of the most charming St. Joe has to offer. Since 1970, located at 5723 Lake Avenue, Pizza Royal has been a staple for residents of St. Joseph’s Southend and a place of fond memories for our older residents. Once you visit, you’ll see why.

 

 

A local favorite for thin, crispy pizza

Among locals, Pizza Royal is notable for two things: its food and its atmosphere. As far as the best pizza places in town to go, Pizza Royal is a longtime South End favorite. If you love your pizza crispy and crunchy, Pizza Royal is the place to go. Pizza chains in the Midwest havea long-standing tradition of making their crust more like a cracker than a slice of bread. Pizza Royal is probably one of the best examples. Their marinara sauce is sweet, and their crust is nice and crunchy. In addition to pizza, they have some great sides too! Their cheese sticks use the same crust as the pizza, and are a perfect add-on if you like your cheese with a little crunch.

 

 

The atmosphere is half the experience

But what really makes this place so special is its atmosphere. The place feels almost more like an antique shop or a local museum than a pizza parlor. Pizza Royal has preserved the small-town charm that other restaurants have lost with time. Old quilts, paintings, license plates, and other antiques line the wall. By the counter are several old yearbooks from Benton High School. Old arcade machines buzz in the background, and children’s toys and coloring books from the 1980s sit idly in a lonely corner. The restaurant is a time capsule, in the best possible way. It’s the type of small-town charm that evokes nostalgia in just about everyone who’s grown up in the Midwest. Lore Teschner, the proud owner of the store, can tell you just about everything you need to know about the antiques on the wall and the history of the South End.

 

Pizza Royal is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 9 PM. Hungry patrons should call the restaurant to make a reservation first, as the restaurant is closed on certain days.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Pizza Royal

5723 Lake Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64504

(816) 238-4655

WEBSITE

 

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