13 No-Frills Pizza Restaurants In Missouri That Are Totally Worth Your While

Missouri knows its pizza like few other places do! I’ve spent years on a delicious quest to find the best slices across the Show-Me State, and I’ve learned that true pizza greatness often comes from the most unexpected corners.

These humble, no-frills joints might not look like much from the outside—no trendy décor or flashy signs—but the flavors they serve up are unforgettable.

From the thin, cracker-like crusts of St. Louis to the bold, hearty slices in Kansas City, and plenty of gems in between, these 13 pizza spots prove that Missouri’s finest pies often come from the simplest kitchens.

1. Shakespeare’s Pizza – Columbia

Shakespeare's Pizza - Columbia
© Columbia Daily Tribune

Holy pepperoni, Batman! Shakespeare’s Pizza changed my life when I was a broke Mizzou student. The first time I walked into this Columbia institution, I thought the mismatched furniture was questionable, but then I tasted their signature pie.

The crust has this magical quality – somehow both crispy and chewy. Their sauce? Don’t get me started! It’s tangy with just the right amount of herbs that’ll make your taste buds do the happy dance.

Students and locals pack this joint daily, creating a buzzing atmosphere that feels like home. Cash-strapped? No problem! Their pizza-by-the-slice option saved my college budget more times than I can count.

2. Imo’s Pizza – St. Louis

Imo's Pizza - St. Louis
© NPR Illinois

Square slices? Check. Provel cheese? Double check! My first Imo’s experience left me questioning everything I knew about pizza. This St. Louis staple serves up what locals proudly call ‘St. Louis-style’ – thin, cracker-like crust topped with their signature Provel cheese blend.

Forget fancy decor; Imo’s focuses on what matters. The walls might be plain, but your taste buds will be throwing a party. Their pizza arrives cut into squares (they call them ‘party cut’), which sparked a heated debate with my New York friend.

Pro tip: Try the House Special with hamburger, bacon, and onion. It converted even my most pizza-snobby relatives during our last family reunion!

3. Pizza House – Joplin

Pizza House - Joplin
© Stacker

Tucked away on a corner in Joplin sits the unassuming Pizza House, serving slices since 1957! Walking in feels like time-traveling to the ’70s – wood-paneled walls, vinyl booths with a few tears, and the same cash register they’ve probably had for decades.

The owner, Frank (who must be at least 70), still tosses dough with the energy of someone half his age. His secret weapon? A sauce recipe guarded more carefully than Fort Knox. My nephew once tried to sweet-talk the ingredients out of him and got nothing but a wink.

Their specialty is the ‘Miner’s Pie’ – loaded with three kinds of meat and veggies so fresh you’d think they grew them out back.

4. Melo’s Pizzeria – St. Louis

Melo's Pizzeria - St. Louis
© Feast Magazine

Blink and you’ll miss it! Melo’s operates out of what used to be a garage behind Blues City Deli. Last summer, I almost walked right past it until the heavenly aroma of wood-fired dough pulled me in like a tractor beam.

Inside, there’s barely room for ten people. The menu? Written on a chalkboard with maybe five options total. But oh mama, that simplicity translates to pure pizza perfection! The owner learned his craft in Naples, Italy, and it shows in every bite.

My personal addiction is their Margherita – so simple yet mind-blowing with basil from their tiny garden. The staff remembers regulars by name, making you feel like part of their quirky pizza family.

5. Buffalo Wild Wings – Springfield

Buffalo Wild Wings - Springfield
© MapQuest

Surprised to see a chain on this list? I was skeptical too until my car broke down in Springfield during a blizzard. Stranded and starving, I reluctantly ordered their pepperoni pizza while waiting for the tow truck.

Boy, was I wrong! Their thin crust had this unexpected buttery flavor that paired perfectly with their slightly spicy sauce. The bartender noticed me swooning and confessed they use their wing seasonings in the dough – genius!

The sports-bar atmosphere isn’t exactly intimate, with TVs blaring from every angle. But somehow that adds to its charm. Now whenever I’m passing through Springfield, I make a pizza pilgrimage here, even though my car works just fine these days.

6. Pizza Haus – Hermann

Pizza Haus - Hermann
© Eater

Wine country might seem like an odd place for stellar pizza, but Pizza Haus in Hermann proves otherwise! Nestled between wineries, this German-influenced pizza joint serves up some seriously unique combinations. My first bite of their sauerkraut and bratwurst pizza had me questioning everything – then immediately ordering a second.

The place looks like your grandma’s basement from 1982, complete with wood paneling and faded beer signs. Locals fill the wobbly tables nightly, sharing pitchers and stories that get louder as the evening progresses.

Fair warning: service runs on small-town time. Our waitress, Dottie, spent 15 minutes telling us about her grandkids before taking our order. Somehow, that just made the experience more authentic!

7. Casey’s General Store – Various Locations

Casey's General Store - Various Locations
© Reddit

Laugh if you want, but I’ll die on this hill: gas station pizza from Casey’s deserves serious respect! During a cross-state road trip last fall, my car’s GPS died in the middle of nowhere. The only sign of civilization? A Casey’s General Store glowing like a beacon in the night.

Hungry and desperate, I grabbed a slice of their breakfast pizza. The heavens opened. Angels sang. How could convenience store pizza be this good? The crust had this magical flakiness, and the cheese-to-topping ratio was absolutely perfect.

Now I plan my Missouri drives around Casey’s locations. My friends think I’m nuts until I force them to try it. Their breakfast pizza with scrambled eggs and bacon has cured more of my hangovers than I care to admit!

8. Pizza Cellar – Hannibal

Pizza Cellar - Hannibal
© Smithsonian Magazine

Mark Twain might be Hannibal’s claim to fame, but Pizza Cellar deserves its own chapter in the history books! Located in an actual stone cellar beneath a historic building, eating here feels like joining a secret pizza society. The ceiling is so low my 6’2″ brother had to duck the entire time.

Their signature ‘Huckleberry Finn’ pizza had me questioning my loyalty to traditional toppings. Blackberry sauce instead of tomato? Genius! Paired with prosciutto and arugula, it’s a flavor combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.

The owner, Marge, collects Mark Twain memorabilia, so you’ll dine surrounded by vintage books and quirky quotes. I swear the slightly musty cellar air actually makes the pizza taste better!

9. Felix’s Pizza Pub – Dogtown, St. Louis

Felix's Pizza Pub - Dogtown, St. Louis
© Feast Magazine

Stumbling into Felix’s after the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dogtown changed my pizza life forever! This neighborhood joint looks like your typical Irish pub had a baby with a pizza parlor – dark wood, sports memorabilia, and the constant hum of locals debating Cardinals baseball.

The magic happens in their stone oven. My go-to is ‘The Carnivore’ – a meat lover’s dream so heavy the paper plate practically surrenders under its weight. The crust achieves that perfect balance between New York and St. Louis styles.

What really sets Felix’s apart is their beer selection. The bartender, Mike, has an uncanny ability to pair the perfect local craft brew with whatever pizza you order. My recommendation? Trust Mike. He hasn’t steered me wrong yet.

10. Gusano’s Pizza – Branson

Gusano's Pizza - Branson
© gusanosjoplin417

Branson might be known for its shows, but Gusano’s deserves a standing ovation! After sitting through a painfully long musical with my in-laws (the things we do for family), I was desperate for comfort food. This Chicago-style deep dish joint became my salvation.

The interior screams ‘tourist casual’ with its Branson memorabilia and kitschy decor. But don’t let that fool you – their pizza means serious business. The crust is buttery perfection, sturdy enough to hold mountains of toppings and rivers of sauce.

My father-in-law, a pizza snob from Chicago, actually gave it his seal of approval! That’s like getting a royal knighthood in my family. Their ‘Windy City Special’ with its layer of sausage under the sauce converted even my thin-crust-loving spouse.

11. Tony’s Pizza Palace – St. Joseph

Tony's Pizza Palace - St. Joseph
© LoveFOOD

Time machines don’t exist, but Tony’s Pizza Palace comes pretty darn close! Walking in feels like stepping straight into 1965 – the red vinyl booths, chrome-edged tables, and vintage Coca-Cola signs haven’t changed since my parents had their first date here.

Tony Jr. (who must be pushing 70) still hand-tosses every pizza while telling stories about St. Joseph’s glory days. The menu is hilariously straightforward – no fancy names, just “Small,” “Medium,” or “Large” with your choice of basic toppings.

Their sauce has this distinctive sweetness that I’ve tried (and failed) to recreate at home. When I asked about the secret ingredient, Tony winked and said, “If I told ya, I’d have to marry ya!” My husband looked slightly concerned.

12. Pizza Tascio – Kansas City

Pizza Tascio - Kansas City
© Feast Magazine

Forget everything you know about New York-style pizza – Pizza Tascio is rewriting the rules in Kansas City! Located in a former auto shop, this place embraces its industrial vibe with concrete floors, exposed pipes, and not a tablecloth in sight.

The owner, Vinny, moved from Brooklyn and brought his water filtration system with him. “It’s all about the water for the dough,” he told me while stretching a massive pie. He might be onto something – these foldable slices have the perfect chew-to-crisp ratio.

My absolute favorite is their white pizza with ricotta, garlic, and hot honey drizzled on top. I once drove two hours in a thunderstorm just to satisfy my craving. Worth it? Absolutely. The cashier recognized me and said, “The usual, storm chaser?”

13. Alex’s Pizza Palace – Rolla

Alex's Pizza Palace - Rolla
© Best Local Things

College towns often hide culinary gems, and Alex’s Pizza Palace is the crown jewel of Rolla! When my car broke down near Missouri S&T, the tow truck driver insisted I try this place while waiting for repairs. “Been feeding hungry engineers since 1964,” he promised.

The decor screams “we haven’t redecorated since opening day” – wood-paneled walls covered with faded photos of local sports teams and mining equipment. Somehow that adds to its charm. The Greek family running it treats everyone like long-lost relatives.

Their specialty is the “Mining Special” – a meat-laden monster that could feed a small army. The secret’s in their slightly sweet sauce and the herbs they grow behind the restaurant. My mechanic took three hours to fix my car, and honestly? I wasn’t even mad about it.