Eat & Drink

These 4 local pizza restaurants are growing in the Kansas City area

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City's pizza scene boasts unique and cherished establishments that attract locals and visitors alike.

Chef Christian Joseph's new Plate Pizzeria aims to craft authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, complementing his existing upscale Italian restaurants. Pizza 51, renowned for its massive slices like the Hiway Special, continues to expand, now transforming an old garage into a bustling pizza hub.

Pizza Tascio, known for New York-style pies, is consolidating its presence in the Kansas City area as it grows. Ava Rae’s Pizzeria and Pub promises a community-centric dining experience with family recipes and local partnerships, set to open in Olathe in early 2025.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Chef Christian Joseph tosses a pizza crust at Plate in Leawood. Joseph plans to open a pizzeria at Zona Rosa Shopping Center in 2025. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 1: KANSAS CITY FINE-DINING RESTAURATEUR WILL OPEN PIZZA PLACE IN ANOTHER PART OF TOWN

“We are excited to introduce a new culinary standard to the area,” this chef said. | Published July 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Gian Lombardino slides a Spicy Pepperoni pie into a Pizza Tascio oven. By Parker Anderson

NO. 2: KANSAS CITY PIZZA CHAIN KEEPS ADDING LOCATIONS. BUT THIS ONE CLOSED AFTER TWO YEARS

This restaurant, serving New York-style pizza, quickly expanded to multiple Kansas City area locations. The owner announced one has closed. | Published July 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

After the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl, coach Andy Reid celebrated with a sausage and mushroom pizza and a salad at Pizza 51. By Emily Curiel

NO. 3: POPULAR KC PIZZA RESTAURANT PLANNING NEW LOCATION IN FORMER JOHNSON COUNTY AUTO SHOP

The popular KC pizza restaurant might soon have a Johnson County location. | Published October 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Ava Rae’s Pizzeria and Pub is opening in Olathe in early January.

NO. 4: A NEW PIZZERIA AND PUB IS COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY SOON. HERE’S WHERE IT WILL BE

The restaurant is opening early in 2025. | Published November 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.