What is your favorite local pizza place? / LJWorld.com

Asked at Borders, 700 New Hampshire St. on December 14, 2010

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“Papa Keno’s.”

— Mark Zeitler, graduate student, Lawrence

“Johnny’s.”

— Nora Dunnaway, manager, Perry

“Rudy’s.”

— Chelsey Haden, home schooler, Eudora

“Pizza Shuttle.”

— Deseoi Miao, paleontologist, Lawrence

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RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 5 months ago

Gambino's.

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 5 months ago

Checkers pizza was ok...

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 5 months ago

Lawyers have horrible horrible taste in pizza.

AreUNorml 2 years, 5 months ago

and counting.

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

Lawyers also taste horrible ON pizza.

RoeDapple 2 years, 5 months ago

Old Chicago . . . dammit!

misterlee 2 years, 5 months ago

The Green Pepper on 23rd was my favorite, but it's been gone for a long time.

bkreed1960 2 years, 5 months ago

My favorite was Gabriel's Pizza on 25th and Iowa, but alas it is long gone as well.

unklemonkey 2 years, 5 months ago

third vote. glory days=the greatest

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

Completely different cut, and much dryer cure. Get yer piggy facts straight.

LarryNative 2 years, 5 months ago

Papa Keno's

kernal 2 years, 5 months ago

Campus Hideaway was the best. Guess would have to say just about anywhere in Chicago.

misterlee 2 years, 5 months ago

The Hideaway was a great date spot. I miss their shrimp pizza.

riverdrifter 2 years, 5 months ago

You got that one right, you old River City head, you! Campus Hideaway was the best.

punkrockmom 2 years, 5 months ago

Pyramid is my fave.

parrothead8 2 years, 5 months ago

Totally. Gimme an order of Bonez any day.

JJE007 2 years, 5 months ago

I don't like any pizza places in Lawrence. I used to be able to get an awesome white pie but that's no longer the case.

terrapin2 2 years, 5 months ago

Rudy's has a great white pizza- You should try it sometime.

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 5 months ago

On that point, Hollis, As a connoisseur and gourmand of the the cured belly of a swine carcass ( I belong to three separate and distinct different bacon of the month clubs, which when the packages arrive, I attack with a rapacious esurience), whilst I agreeth that Canuck Bacon is a whole different species, I must immediately and directly challenge the veracity of your 6:20 statement that Canuck bacon is ham. No Sir. That is cured porkloin, (call it backstrap if you must), where as ham is from the hind leg. Saying that Canadian bacon = ham, is an affront to God, as much as being able to connect William Shatner to Kevin Bacon in 2 degrees. It should be 7 degrees.

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 5 months ago

Hollis, Interesting enough, if you will recall your US History to 1877, We fought Pig War with those damn Canucks.

somedude20 2 years, 5 months ago

I have not been to Milton's in a long time but when they had normal hours I would get their pizza. They had a brick oven and those pies (and calzones) were really good.

Marcy McGuffie 2 years, 5 months ago

That was Mazzio's Pizza

grtnrse 2 years, 5 months ago

Or us oldster Lawrencians knew it as Ken's

Ricky_Vaughn 2 years, 5 months ago

Mazzio's! Used to go there as kid too. Their nachos were the bomb.

Bob_Keeshan 2 years, 5 months ago

Their nachos were off-the-truck Sysco tortilla chips with shredded cheddar cheese on top run through about half the pizza oven.

I bet you could make those yourself.

Mazzio's and Ken's are actually the same place, they just had multiple names available for the franchise. The Ken's in Hutchinson is still going strong, I'm not sure about the Mazzio's in Emporia. All 3 restaurants had the same owner.

drake 2 years, 5 months ago

Before Mazzio's it was Ken's Pizza. That was some good stuff. Also miss the Minsky's where Phoggy Dog is now.

gphawk89 2 years, 5 months ago

Weird coincidence. I'm drinking from a Ken's cup right now. Never really thought about how old it is.

fleeba 2 years, 5 months ago

Cream cheese and tomato Pizza from Shuttle.

pea 2 years, 5 months ago

So who's go the best/closest thing to a NY style slice?

TheStonesSuck 2 years, 5 months ago

Da Bronx pizza in KC somewhere... It's NY style, so I've been told. All I know is, that ish be da bomb bitch!

LarryNative 2 years, 5 months ago

Agree with Da Bronx, disagree about the Stones unless your referring to gall stones.

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

If'n we's gonna talk about NY style, I'd go more with the Pizza Shoppe in Overland Park. Da Bronx is excellent, but it is more Chicago style than NY.

(and, by the way, I grew up in NY and ate a LOT of pizza. Actually, the world's best pizza used to be Gino's Pizza - just over the NY border in Ridgefield, CT. Unfortunately they are gone. Il Forno's near North Salem, NY is about the best nowadays.

Thinking_Out_Loud 2 years, 5 months ago

I used to like Giovanni's in Topeka, at 10th and Quincy. We would stop there on the way back from visiting my wife's family. But it closed about two weeks back. So, now I'm on the lookout again.

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 5 months ago

G, That was Minsky's.

misterlee 2 years, 5 months ago

No it wasn't. It was Mazzio's as previously pointed out, and before that Ken's. Minsky's was further north.

ferrislives 2 years, 5 months ago

Rudy's is by far the best!

BruceWayne 2 years, 5 months ago

Judy's...home of the 72" birthday pizza. Anyone remember?

RoeDapple 2 years, 5 months ago

Oh yeah! Where Earl May is now.

BruceWayne 2 years, 5 months ago

yes! the perfect 11th birthday! Judy's and then walk across the parking lot to bowl!( remember when we had not 1 but 2 bowling alleys? ahhh...the good old days.

RoeDapple 2 years, 5 months ago

Yes! Our oldest by the same name called it the yo-yo store because of the decor on the window trim

Ricky_Vaughn 2 years, 5 months ago

Valentino's...

wmathews 2 years, 5 months ago

Agreed.

Katara 2 years, 5 months ago

Did Waldo Pizza go by another name? I recall an awesome pizzeria in the Waldo area but I can't remember the exact name. Torre's, I think, but I could be wrong.

Otherwise, Rosati's thin crust is pretty tasty.

KSWingman 2 years, 5 months ago

Torre's Pizzeria is in Westport. You can get a slice at the shop on Pennsylvania, or from the truck on Westport Road on Friday and Saturday nights.

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

Dey gots a great noon pizza buffet

ToriFreak13 2 years, 5 months ago

Fat Freddy's!!! www.fatfreddyspizza.com>

labmonkey 2 years, 5 months ago

I loved Pyramid pizza. The best pizza I ever had came from a gas station in Pittsburg...Horton's Pizza.

misterlee 2 years, 5 months ago

The only thing worse than New Yorkers who think everything that matters in life happens there is the NYC based media who ignore most of what happens west of the Hudson River.

TheSychophant 2 years, 5 months ago

I am from New York. Been in Kansas forty years and have no intention of leaving. And I can't stand New York provincialism. But I gotta be honest--Kansans have no idea what good pizza, or a good dill pickle, or good potato salad, or a delicious corned beef on rye is.

booyalab 2 years, 5 months ago

Kansan restaurateurs, maybe. But I've had lots of great homemade food. Try opening a cookbook.

TheSychophant 2 years, 5 months ago

The only decent homemade potato sald I have had in Kansas was made by my mother, a displaced New Yorker.

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

misterlee stated, "The only thing worse than New Yorkers who think everything that matters in life happens there"

Actually, the only thing worse is these dadburned Larryvillians who think everything that matters in life happens in Larryville.

youarewhatyoueat 2 years, 5 months ago

I think Mr. Brown here has become my favorite LJ world commenter.

pea 2 years, 5 months ago

Yikes. What is usually called NY style pizza just happens to be my favorite. You seem to be deeply troubled by a rather harmless contribution to the discussion. I wasn't trying to slam your precious mid-west, just looking for a tasty slice. LTFU.

ivalueamerica 2 years, 5 months ago

I have to agree with Kernel, Campus Hide-a-Way.

My first job was there and i learned to cook their pizza and I even still have a couple of the old pizza tins from there. My favorite was the shrimp pineapple pizza.

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

Of course, if'n ya gets to NY or New England (by the way, there they ask, where is the midwest? To them, it actually starts somewhere in Ohio - another no 'count state.)

And NOBODY in NY or New England has EVER heard of Larryville.

youarewhatyoueat 2 years, 5 months ago

Yeah, but we're in Kansas, we're used to people wondering where that is. I've met people in Nebraska who don't know where or what Lawrence is.

MacHeath 2 years, 5 months ago

Anyone remember Shakespeare's ?
Portugese Linguica pizza at the Campus Hideaway? It seems good at the time, but I was usually pretty wasted. Papa Keno's is good again. Isn't that pretty close to NY style? I dunno, never been to NYC. Rudy's is good too. I have had so much Pizza Hut pizza over the years that I would just as soon have anything else. I miss having a Uno's in town. That was good for a change.

Thinking_Out_Loud 2 years, 5 months ago

Shakespeare's redeems Columbia, MO IMO.

BigPrune 2 years, 5 months ago

It sounds like everyone's favorite pizza place is no longer in business. I like Rudy's and Pyramid but then I discovered I was lactose intolerant. Rudy's also isn't ADA compliant. Try to use their potty in a wheel chair.

somedude20 2 years, 5 months ago

"Rudy's also isn't ADA compliant. Try to use their potty in a wheel chair." Wouldn't getting down their stairs in a wheelchair be more of a task that trying to make #1 or #2 in their bathroom?

ScottyMac 2 years, 5 months ago

I believe that the restaurant is wheelchair accessible from the alley, although I don't know about their restrooms.

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

Can't ya just take a bedpan and go in that?

sissezz 2 years, 5 months ago

Papa Keno's OMG!! sooo goood

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 5 months ago

Why do we as Americans allow William Shatner to reside here? He was not born in Riverside IA. No Quebec.
Which means he is a Canuck thin little pancake eater.

mbulicz 2 years, 5 months ago

If you're eating in, Papa Keno's is well worth the trip. Best pizza in Lawrence.

For delivery, Pizza Shuttle is hands down the best. Cheap, open late, fast, and fresh. For a real kick, try Brandy B's cream cheese sticks with jalapenos on top. We won't order them any other way anymore. The two large pizzas deal is super cheap, and if you add extra toppings, they PILE them on. Definitely worth the little surcharge.

The new Domino's recipe is delicious and reheats well. I'm glad they rebranded and moved away from the "it's cheap, whaddya expect?" category. I'd recommend giving them another try if you haven't already.

As for Pizza Hut, one slice of Meat Lover's has 860 mg of sodium, and it takes five of their wings to hit 100% of your daily fat intake. I have to down two glasses of water for every piece of Pizza Hut pizza because it's so ridiculously salty. I could probably stomach their pizza if it didn't have more sodium than the Atlantic.

I'd rather eat Totino's frozen pizza than a single bite of Papa John's pizza-shaped heap of whatever-it-is. I've never understood their appeal, and they are way overpriced for such a bland, forgettable pie.

consumer1 2 years, 5 months ago

Bruchetta

snap_pop_no_crackle 2 years, 5 months ago

LOLZ

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

Broos ketta

insearchofauniqueid 2 years, 5 months ago

It looks like Papa Kenos has quite a few followers. Haven't tried it yet but I think I will go downtown and try a slice this afternoon. Otherwise, I'm a pretty big fan of glory days pizza

somedude20 2 years, 5 months ago

Canada gave us: Anvil, Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Barenaked Ladies, Bif Naked, Crash Test Dummies, Kittie, Men Without Hats, Sum 41, Tegan and Sara and Avril Lavigne

just to name a few of the great greatness that came from up north

somedude20 2 years, 5 months ago

and your favorite Anne Murray

TheStonesSuck 2 years, 5 months ago

those bands are terrible, lol.

somedude20 2 years, 5 months ago

you are correct sir

booyalab 2 years, 5 months ago

Don't forget Nickelback and Celine Dion! Those two, and Avril are my go-to proof that Canada should stick to comedy.

mom_of_three 2 years, 5 months ago

I haven't been to the gambino's here in a while, but the one where I grew up (over 20 something years ago) was pretty good. I like papa kenos, because I like crispier crust, but i have yet to find a i-will-die-if-dont-have-it pizza.

beatrice 2 years, 5 months ago

Pizzaria Bianco -- named the best pizza in the country! (My "local" is Phoenix.) http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2010/02/pizzeria-bianco-wins-rachael-ray-pizza-madness-bracket.html

For Lawrence, absolutely Papa Keno's, although I must admit it has been a few years.

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 5 months ago

Hollis, For what it is worth, "papa" is Sanskrit for evil.

Namaste

ObiWan 2 years, 5 months ago

I could be biased since I worked there for several years, but Rudy's is my favorite. Their sauce is unlike any other I've had, and everything is prepared and served with pride. The owner is good to his employees, so the turnover is low, which helps keep the product consistent. Some of the best food in Lawrence.

JayCat_67 2 years, 5 months ago

I'm kinda the same way about Pizza Shuttle. I worked there off and on over the years and had a lot of fun there. I noticed that people either loved it or loathed it. I never ran into anyone who thought it was "OK". I haven't had Rudy's, but my daughter and a few of my friends have said it's really good. I'll have to try it.

My favorite? All of 'em.

dogsandcats 2 years, 5 months ago

Pizza shuttle is just ok.

cozy 2 years, 5 months ago

Whats not ok is the straw game they play. Its so immature. Why would anyone want a fountain drink without a straw. You have to ask for it.

Ive heard from a few people that it is a game for them.

charliejohnson 2 years, 5 months ago

I think I like Papa Noel too. Are we in a more jovial "holiday" mood? And, so you think Bill will start Josh on Sat? hahaha Really?

dwntwn 2 years, 5 months ago

Love Keno's and the Hawk 'N Cheese from Wheat state is pretty good....but then I like most pizza

chic 2 years, 5 months ago

812-1212 Pizza Shuttle - Big Greek (YUMMMM), BTO Shuttle (easy on the O), Cheeseburger Shuttle (easy on the Mustard), Farm Shuttle, Super Shuttle (add some Banana Peppers) -and, YES - I LOVE the Sweetsticks.

chic 2 years, 5 months ago

PS (Pizza Shuttle) - Do NOT forget to either use the coupons or get the "fers".

mr_right_wing 2 years, 5 months ago

I could have amnesia, not remember my name or where I live, but I'd still be able to recite the "8-4-2--1-2-1-2, call us now, Pizza Shuttle". jingle.'

motomom 2 years, 5 months ago

RUDY'S hands down.

whats_going_on 2 years, 5 months ago

ooo tie between Wheat State and Glory Days. Wheat State maybe, just because i don't have to give up all the money I have to get a dang pizza.

Used to love Papa Kenos, but last few times I went my pizza took forever and then it was burnt to a crisp, eh.

And non-local is definitely Godfathers

slowplay 2 years, 5 months ago

kthxbi 2 years, 5 months ago

Johnny's.

Paul R. Getto 2 years, 5 months ago

Interesting reading here. The Italians actually define pizza: "In an effort to implement a degree of uniformity, and 'stake its claim' in what is seen as a cultural commodity, the Italian government has recently imposed a series of regulations that will specify what can and cannot be called a Neapolitan pizza." http://www1.american.edu/TED/pizza.htm ========== Most commercial pizza is too thick and too salty. Chicago-style pizza is a casserole, but sometimes tasty. You can make a good one at home if your oven will hit 500 degrees and you buy one of those stones. "Roll your own (dough, that is,) Lawrence.

gphawk89 2 years, 5 months ago

Pyramid. Under The Wheel. Just down the hill from where I live. Or lived... I guess that was '89. At GP. Get it? Aw, heck, I don't think it's even there anymore. Used to go to the one in Westport occasionally. I think that one's still there. Same good pizza.

cj123 2 years, 5 months ago

papa murphy's delight veggie is my favorite pizza! if i want pepperoni pizza, i go to glory day's!

pizzapete 2 years, 5 months ago

Rudy's is by far the best, because of their sauce. Fat Freddies is good, too. Papa Keno's if you like burnt slices.

rando1965 2 years, 5 months ago

Papa Kenos.. blue cheese and peperoni

useta 2 years, 5 months ago

I liked Pizza Shoppe on 6th St.!!!

Bob_Keeshan 2 years, 5 months ago

Get 1 lb of spaghetti, garlic bread, and a drink for $4.99!

scopi_guy 2 years, 5 months ago

The first pizza place I remember going to in Lawrence was the Green Pepper. It was really good. Then it became a Valentinos and that was great. The best part about going to Omaha is going to their buffet there. Sometime in between, it was WC&Me...we'd go there after church sometimes. About all I remember about it was all the pictures of WC Fields on the walls. And another place that didn't last long was over in that strip mall on Iowa street by where Gibson's used to be...called Gabriel's, I think. There were a lot of paintings of angels everywhere. Don't remember the pizza, just the painted walls. Then we started going to Godfathers on Sundays because of the free pop. I still love their combo! Pizza Shuttle really isn't bad. Sometimes I get the BTO with anchovies.

Pizza Hut is the worst pizza hands down. How they keep going is beyond me. But I love their breadsticks and their wings are pretty good. But for pizza...no.

bkreed1960 2 years, 5 months ago

It was Gabriel's! I even had a frisbee from there with the cute little angels, although they looked more like cupids to me : )

The_Big_B 2 years, 5 months ago

In the Out-the-Window Division: Cupini's. Then Rudy's, I suppose. Papa Keno's is kind of a greasy mess, but is probably third place as far as strictly-pizza places.

Best pizza I ever had in Larry was Uno's deep dish ... I know - chain and closed, but it was a real solid pie ... Lawrence is not a pizza town, really. College kids don't know any better.

Best pizza I've had lately in the KC area was at Spin! in OP. Nice ingredients, great oven, good cheap wine, gelato, and a little live folk music. Why wouldn't that work here?

wissmo 2 years, 5 months ago

Papa Keno's by a hair.

psycho_theclown 2 years, 5 months ago

Torre's in Westport is the best within a 50-mile radius.

LarryNative 2 years, 5 months ago

Why is it every time there is a question like this one, individuals can't seem to understand the basics of the question? The question was not "what's your favorite pizza?" or "What's WAS your favorite pizza place?" The criteria is simple. Notice the words "is" and "local". Is it that difficult to understand that your answer must be in regard to a local and available pizza? Every time we see these questions it's always, "My favorite was Pappy's in 1929 in DeSoto." Answer the question at hand or not at all. Where's my flipping coffee????

booyalab 2 years, 5 months ago

But aren't tangents more fun? Aren't you slightly more fulfilled after your tangential rant than you would have been if you had actually answered the question too?

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

You obviously do not understand. The article, blog, or question NEVER ends up being what is discussed, it is merely the discussion starter. If'n ya wants to talk exclusively about the best, current local pizza, I'd suggest you starts a blog on something along the lines of who makes the best hot pickles in the world.

none2 2 years, 4 months ago

I have to agree. Plus unless you are totally new to the area, the original question is pointless. By now, you probably would have figured it out and would be patronizing that place -- not searching in a poll for other's opinions.

With my own tangent in mind.... I really loved the Valentino's that they had in Topeka (near 29th and Gage). They actually changed restaurant names several years back. Then about 5 years back they just closed suddenly without any indication as to what happened. There was just a note on the door that they were out of business. (Lawrence also had a Valentino's years ago on 23rd, but it was always pathetic. Pizza Hut is in that building now.) I loved the Topeka location for ALL the Italian food it had -- more than just the pizza. With that tagent, I would say that my favorite Italian place in the region is Cinzetti's in Overland Park.

Blessed4x 2 years, 5 months ago

I don't know if you'd consider it local or not, but the best pizza in the region, hands down, is Buzzard's Pizza with locations in Lyndon, Pamona and Wellsville. Once you've had Buzzards, you won't believe that you wasted money on all the other crap.

slvrntrt 2 years, 5 months ago

Rudy's is the best!

Nothing can compare to Hungry Howie's though.

Joe Hyde 2 years, 5 months ago

This might be over-stretching the question's definition of "local", but my favorite pizza nowadays comes from the least likely of places -- the Casey's convenience store in Eudora.

Anyone who regularly commutes on K-10 Highway between Lawrence and Johnson County should stop in and try a slice or two from the carousel warmer, just for a drill. But get their telephone number while you're in there, so that you can call in an order ahead of time and pick it up on your way home or wherever.

Casey's Supreme pizza is practically a religious experience.

dogsandcats 2 years, 5 months ago

Papa Keno's.

Rudy's crust is too bread-y and not crust-like, and I haven't tried Johnny's yet. Pizza Shuttle is just ok.

Wheat State is good but expensive so I rarely have it.

dogsandcats 2 years, 5 months ago

How could I forget Pyramid? They are probably my 2nd favorite.

Blessed4x 2 years, 5 months ago

The Papa Keno's in Old Town Overland Park is pretty good, but every time I go to the one in Lawrence I end up with a huge piece of pizza on a black crust. I like crispy crusts, but come on! Stop burning my pizza, pizza man!

thewayne 2 years, 5 months ago

I agree, was all excited to get my pizza and calzones home after the KU game, only to find the crust on all burnt, lame, I just scraped it off with a fork and ok, it worked but not the same. You should try johnnys if you haven't already. Oh yeah and they are much quicker I waited for 45 minutes one time for a slice of papa kenos and missed some of the KU game, that sucked.

ScottyMac 2 years, 5 months ago

Johnny's Johnny's Johnny's. It's good.

Ricky_Vaughn 2 years, 5 months ago

Shuttle is gross! More like Pizza ****-hole. I used to work there and could only stomach their pies if they were fresh out of the oven. Just because it hits the spot at 2:45 AM doesn't make it good. Remember, alcohol impairs your judgement!

notanota 2 years, 5 months ago

Rudy's, Ingredient, Papa Kenos, and Wheat State.

BorderRuffian 2 years, 5 months ago

An interesting move here, but take home one of those fresh pizzas at Sam's Club. You gotta take it home and bake it, but it's wonderful.

farmgal 2 years, 5 months ago

Years ago, Milton's had the best pizza in town. Excellent crust. Gorgonzola cheese & mushroom one was our favorite. Then they replaced the quality cheese that they had been using with a cheap one. So, we quit going there. Their service was also very bad, so we just always got the food to go. We should try them again to see if things have improved.

Rudy's Pizza is sub-par. Mediocre at best.

Sure wish there was a place in town that had as good of pizza as Campus Hideaway.