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These 5 pizza restaurants are reshaping Kansas City’s dining options

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City’s pizza landscape is heating up with shake-ups that blend flavor, nostalgia and fresh ambition.

The following stories highlight several closures of long-loved spots like d’Bronx and Papa Keno’s, making room for new names and bold menus. Pizza 51 is planning a dramatic transformation of an old Olathe auto shop, while Plate Pizzeria gears up to bring Neapolitan pies and gelato to Zona Rosa.

Meanwhile, standout dishes like Spin! Pizza’s Italian sausage and caramelized onion pie are keeping diners excited, and Pizza Shuttle eyes a return to Johnson County. From loaded slices to outdoor patios, Kansas City's pizza game is evolving fast.

A spinach and goat cheese salad topped with red onion, bacon, pecans and served with pita bread on the side is seen at Spin Pizza on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Kansas City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: I HATE SALADS. BUT THIS KANSAS CITY PIZZA RESTAURANT MAKES ONE I LOVE

For almost 20 years, this Kansas City-based chain has been serving salads and pizzas. Here’s why I keep coming back. | Published May 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

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

NO. 2: 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. 3: 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. Our writer decided to try it. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: 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

Papa Keno’s offers pizza, sandwiches and salads.

NO. 5: LAWRENCE-BASED PIZZERIA CLOSES ITS FINAL KC AREA SPOT. BUT SOMETHING ELSE IS ON THE WAY

The pizzeria once had several locations in the metro. | Published January 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

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