This Arkansas Pizzeria Is So Good, Some Say It Serves The Best Pizza In The State

One man’s secret pizza dough recipe was handed down to his daughter, and it still rolls out of brick ovens today. He first sharpened his baking skills while stationed at Fort Chaffee here in Arkansas.

His pizza story began in Pennsylvania in 1963, then took a few twists, including years of selling pies out of a basement. Eventually, he brought the whole family to Arkansas and started again.

I love the idea of a recipe making a full circle like that. Now the star is a double-crusted pie baked in a cast iron skillet, and it can stand over an inch thick.

I’m all for any pizza that asks for a little extra patience before it hits the table. One travel writer even called it a contender for the best pizza in the state, so how good could it really be?

Save Room, Because The Uncle Roman Is Built Like A Brick Wall

A pizza baked in a 12-inch cast iron skillet sounds like a dare, and Steffey’s Pizza takes it seriously. The Uncle Roman Stuffed Pizza Pie is the signature showpiece, and it’s a double-crusted deep-dish beauty.

You pick the toppings, and they get stuffed between two layers of crust. Then the top gets brushed with garlic butter and parmesan before it heads your way.

Fans have called it a deep-dish monster, which feels fair for something that can top an inch thick. One slice looks less like a snack and more like a commitment.

Good things take time, and this one needs about 15 extra minutes to prepare. Plan for that wait instead of fighting it, and maybe order a basket of BreadStix to keep everyone calm.

Travel blogger Tie Dye Travels singled out the Uncle Roman when suggesting Steffey’s could be the best pizza in Arkansas. The same writer flat out called it a personal favorite in the state.

Sharing is smart here, since a little goes a long way. Bring a friend, split the pie, and argue later about who got the bigger piece.

A Fort Chaffee Baker Cooked Up The Recipe Behind It All

Back in the late 1950s, Glenn Steffey met pizza for the first time and was hooked. He didn’t just enjoy it, though, he set out to make his own.

His secret weapon was baking experience picked up while stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. That know-how helped him build his own dough and sauce recipes from scratch.

In 1963, Glenn and his wife Ruth opened the first Steffey’s Pizza in Delmont, Pennsylvania. Glenn earned the nickname Pizza Man, which is about the best title a person can carry.

After running that first shop, the couple kept going in a cozier way. For a few years, they sold pizzas right out of their basement.

Talk about a home-cooked meal with real dedication behind it. Plenty of people would have quit, but Glenn clearly had pizza in his bones.

That stubborn love of dough is the backbone of everything served today. Every pie at the restaurant still traces back to the recipes Glenn created decades ago.

Knowing the backstory makes each bite feel a little more meaningful. It’s history you can actually eat, which beats any museum gift shop.

The Family Recipe Moved South And Stayed In Good Hands

In 1980, Glenn packed up his family and left Pennsylvania for Lavaca, Arkansas. A year later, in 1981, Steffey’s Pizza opened its doors in its new hometown.

Glenn passed his secret dough recipe down to his daughter, LeAnn. That’s the kind of inheritance that doesn’t fit in a safe deposit box but probably should.

Today, LeAnn runs the restaurant with her husband, Shayne, and their daughter, Brier. Three generations of the family have now had their hands in the Steffey’s story.

The business has grown over the years, too. The current spot on West Main Street is its third building in Lavaca.

The restaurant moved into this location in 2008. That’s a long run for any small-town eatery, and it says plenty about loyalty.

Family-run places often feel different, and you can sense the pride in a name that has stayed on the sign since the 1960s. Ordering here means supporting people who treat a recipe like a family heirloom.

Honestly, that’s reason enough to make the trip. Great pizza with a real story attached is hard to beat.

Grab A Seat Where You Can Watch Those Brick Ovens Work

Four large brick ovens sit in the kitchen area near the entrance, right where you can see them. Watching pizzas get made is half the fun before your own order lands.

The dining room keeps things relaxed, clean, and homey with plenty of local flair. It’s the kind of casual setup where nobody cares if you show up in a ball cap.

Look up, and you’ll notice something clever. The tables are lit by lights encased in cheese graters, which might be the most on-brand decor choice in the state.

Over on one wall hangs an original Steffey’s price marquee. It still shows the old prices, and it makes for a fun little time capsule while you wait.

Kids will probably ask why pizza ever cost that little. Adults will probably ask the same thing, just with more sighing.

Free Wi-Fi is available, so it works for a laptop lunch too. Still, the ovens make a better show than any screen.

Snag a table with a view of the kitchen if you can. Those glowing brick ovens deserve an audience.

Classic Pies Prove Simple Can Still Steal The Show

Homemade dough, homemade sauce, and provolone cheese make up the foundation of every classic pie. That provolone choice gives these pizzas a flavor that stands apart from the usual mozzarella crowd.

Everything bakes in those brick ovens, and the crust lands somewhere between chewy and crisp. It’s been compared to a flatbread with a yeasty flavor much like French bread.

Pepperoni fans get evenly spaced slices under well-melted cheese. Neatness counts, apparently, and Steffey’s Pizza seems to know it.

The plain cheese pizza earns plenty of love too, which says a lot about the dough and sauce. When a cheese pie shines, there’s nowhere for a weak recipe to hide.

Want more on top? Choices include Cheeseburger, Supreme, and Chicken Alfredo pizzas.

Then there’s the Razorback, loaded with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, sausage, and Italian sausage. Naming a meat-packed pie after the state’s favorite team feels very Arkansas, and very correct.

Families can also order personal pizzas for kids. That’s handy when one child wants pepperoni and another will only eat plain cheese.

Start with a classic if it’s your first visit. It’s the best way to taste what Glenn’s recipe is all about.

Pizza Subs Are The Sneaky Favorite Worth Ordering

Pizza fillings wrapped up inside a crust might sound like a lunchbox dream. At Steffey’s Pizza, the pizza sub is a signature item, and it’s easy to see why.

Think of it as pizza you can hold without losing toppings down your shirt. It’s a smart, portable twist on the main event.

The menu keeps going well past pizza. You’ll find salads, BreadStix with toppings or dressings or pizza sauce, and Panini sandwiches served with chips or potato salad.

Appetizers cover buffalo wings, toasted ravioli, and cheesesticks with ranch or marinara. Nachos come with cheese, meat, or vegetables for snackers who like options.

Sandwich fans can pick from the Hot Italian, Spicy Chicken Club, Meatball, and Philly Beef. That lineup could keep a hungry crew busy for weeks.

Don’t skip the homemade ranch dressing, a popular highlight in its own right. Dunking a little crust into it just makes sense.

Save room for dessert, because chocolate-covered cannoli are on the menu. A sweet finish like that makes the drive home a lot happier.

Mix and match with your group for the best spread. One sub, one pizza, and a plate of cannoli is a strong game plan.

Families And Allergy-Aware Diners Both Get Real Care Here

Gluten-free options are on the menu, and that’s only part of the good news. Steffey’s Pizza has also been reported to use an isolated area in the kitchen for preparing food for people with allergies.

That setup may help reduce cross-contact, which matters a lot to anyone with food sensitivities. Diners with allergies should contact the restaurant directly to confirm its current preparation procedures.

Kids get their own perks too. There’s a game room, which can buy parents a few peaceful minutes while the pizza bakes.

Personal pizzas sized for children are also available. Small hands, small pies, and hopefully small messes.

Birthday parties may be the biggest kid draw of all. Young guests get to make their own pizzas, which beats a store-bought cake any day.

Letting kids top their own creations turns dinner into an activity. They’ll probably be prouder of that lopsided pie than anything else they make all week.

Plan ahead if you’re thinking about hosting a party. Reach out to the restaurant directly to ask about details and availability.

It’s rare to find a pizza place that thinks about both picky eaters and allergy needs. Here, both seem built right into the routine.

Finding It Is Easy, And The Small-Town Setting Is A Bonus

Lavaca is a small community just outside Barling in western Arkansas. Steffey’s Pizza sits right on the town’s main thoroughfare at 627 W Main St, Lavaca, AR 72941.

Look for it east of the intersection where Highways 96 and 255 meet. It’s across from a sno-cone stand, which feels like perfect small-town planning.

Pizza first, sno-cone second? That sounds like a summer evening done right.

The restaurant has deep ties to the community it calls home. It supports various local school functions, which is the kind of neighborly move that keeps a town close.

Being a little off the big-city path is part of the charm. A short drive to a family-run pizza joint makes a fine little outing.

Fort Smith sits nearby, so the trip is doable from the larger city. Lavaca rewards anyone willing to leave the highway for something homemade.

The main road is easy to follow, so navigation shouldn’t be a headache. Just keep an eye out for the Steffey’s sign as you roll through town.

Bookmark the address before you go. Once you’ve had a slice, you won’t need directions again.

Smart Moves Before You Go Will Make Your Visit Even Better

Timing matters when great pizza is made by hand in brick ovens. Steffey’s Pizza is closed on Mondays, so check the hours before you head out.

Hungry for the Uncle Roman? Remember it needs about 15 extra minutes, so calling your order in ahead of time can save some waiting.

Made-to-order food can take a bit, so build a little cushion into your schedule. Rushing a hand-tossed pie never ends well anyway.

Takeout is a solid option if you’re short on time. The ride home might feel long with a pizza box riding shotgun.

So, about that best-pizza-in-the-state talk. Travel writer Tie Dye Travels called it a personal favorite in Arkansas, and the restaurant proudly claims some of the best pizza in the region.

You’ll have to decide for yourself, of course. That’s the fun part, and it involves eating a lot of pizza.

Free Wi-Fi helps if you need to answer a few emails while you wait. Just don’t let your inbox steal attention from the main event.

Bring a friend who loves a good debate. Order the Uncle Roman and a classic pie, then settle the matter one slice at a time.