Some pizza folds. St. Louis-style pizza snaps.
With a cracker-thin crust, a gooey layer of Provel cheese, and a square cut that turns every pie into a pile of little party bites, this style is a Missouri original that people either adore or argue about. The good news is you do not have to live in St. Louis to get a great one.
Pizzerias from Kansas City to Springfield have their own take on the classic, and some of them have been at it for years. This list covers eight spots across the state where the crust stays crisp, the toppings come generous, and the menu usually has toasted ravioli or a creamy house salad waiting on the side.
Some are family-run neighborhood joints, and some are full Italian dining rooms. Save it for your next road trip or Friday night craving.
1. Farotto’s, St. Louis, MO
Plenty of St. Louis families have a go-to Italian spot, and for a lot of folks along Manchester Road, it is Farotto’s. The longtime family-owned restaurant serves a full menu of pizza, pasta, and entrees.
The pizza is the reason it lands here. The crust is thin and crispy in the classic local way, with good flavor and a heavy hand on toppings.
There is more to order beyond the pie. Toasted ravioli, bruschetta, Pasta Farotto, spicy pappardelle, and garlic crusted salmon all show up on the menu, and the chicken parmesan arrives as a seriously big piece of chicken.
The space works for a lot of occasions. There is a covered patio, a fireplace, a private dining room, and a kids’ menu with high chairs, so a family dinner and a game-night hangout both make sense here.
Reservations are accepted, which helps on Saturday evenings when it gets busiest. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
2. Leo’s Pizza, Kansas City, MO
Kansas City is famous for barbecue, so finding a cracker-crust St. Louis-style pie on the north side feels like a fun little plot twist. Leo’s Pizza is an unassuming, family-run spot on NW Englewood Road that has been quietly handling that job for KC.
Every pizza here gets Provel cheese, which gives the pies that creamy, distinct flavor St. Louis fans recognize right away. The crust is crispy and thin, and the toppings are generous without making the price climb.
Pair the pizza with a salad and the signature creamy Italian dressing. An Italian steak sandwich is on the menu too.
Leo’s also offers half-baked pizzas, a handy option for anyone who wants to finish the bake at home. Expect around $10 to $20 per person.
One planning note: Leo’s is closed Mondays and opens at 3 PM on Sundays. Reservations are not taken, but parking is usually easy.
3. Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas, St. Louis, MO
Pizza and tapas on the same menu sounds like a dare, but on The Hill, Guido’s makes it work. The Shaw Avenue restaurant mixes Italian and Spanish dishes in a relaxed, homey setting.
The St. Louis-style pizza is thin and crispy, with quality toppings and a well-loved sauce. Toppings get real attention here, from big pieces of sausage to full bacon strips on the deluxe.
The rest of the menu goes wide. Think tortellini, cannelloni, manicotti, seafood ravioli, cordero lollipops, and toasted ravioli with meat sauce, plus cannoli and gooey butter cake for dessert.
I would save this one for a date night or a group dinner where everyone wants something different. Full vegan and vegetarian menus help, and dogs are allowed.
Guido’s is closed Mondays and open 11 AM to 10 PM the rest of the week. Dinner reservations are recommended, and street parking can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
4. Pirrone’s Pizzeria, Florissant, MO
Sauce gets star billing at Pirrone’s. The Florissant pizzeria uses a sweet vine-ripened tomato sauce, fresh-made dough, and locally made Provel cheese on its square-cut pies.
The crust lands somewhere between crispy and a little chewy. Pepperoni and bacon is a popular combo, and the Italian sausage comes in large pieces.
It is a true family-style place on Washington Street, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a quiet, casual dining room. The menu also covers garlic cheese bread, mozzarella sticks, ravioli with meat sauce, fettuccine alfredo, and chicken strips.
Wings are another reason North County regulars keep coming back. Pairing them with a pie makes for an easy family order.
Pirrone’s does not deliver and does not take reservations, so plan on dining in or picking up. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest, and prices stay around $10 to $20 per person.
5. Stefanina’s Pizzeria & Restaurant O’Fallon, O’Fallon, MO
Taco pizza. Bacon cheeseburger pizza.
Stefanina’s in O’Fallon is not shy about creative toppings, and that is a big part of the fun.
The base stays classic, though. The crust is light and crispy in true St. Louis style, with just enough sauce and gooey cheese to hold the toppings in place.
The Stefanina’s Special Pizza and Meat Lovers Pizza are menu standouts. Lasagna, manicotti, pasta con broccoli, steaks, and seafood round things out, and cannoli handles dessert.
The quaint dining room has a family-friendly, cozy setup, with gluten-free options and a full vegetarian menu. Reservations are accepted, and a private dining room is available for bigger gatherings.
Find it on Veterans Memorial Parkway, open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
6. Fortel’s Pizza Den, St. Louis, MO
A pizza place that opens at 10 AM on weekdays is a pizza place that understands its audience. Fortel’s Pizza Den on MacKenzie Road keeps things casual, quick, and family owned.
The thin crust hits a nice balance of crisp and soft, and the pies come loaded with toppings. Fresh ingredients and a mix of real cheese and Provel give each slice its local character.
The menu goes well beyond pizza. Onion straws, cheese curds with ranch, jalapeno poppers, a Meat Lover’s Deluxe, and Fred’s Philly Cheese Steak Deluxe all make strong cases for themselves.
Ordering happens at the counter, and service moves fast. There is outdoor seating, dogs are allowed, and the place is set up for kids’ birthday parties too.
Delivery, takeout, and dine-in are all available, with parking usually easy to find.
7. Garbo’s Pizzeria, Springfield, MO
Down in the Ozarks, St. Louis-style pizza has a Springfield home base. Garbo’s Pizzeria on W Chesterfield Street serves classic St. Louis-style pizza, pasta, and salad in a laid-back setting.
The thin-crust pizza is the main event, and pepperoni with extra cheese is a popular pick. A wood-fired oven adds to the casual, cozy atmosphere.
Here is a smart tip: the small house salad is big enough to feed two. Manicotti is another menu favorite.
The crowd often includes college students, and the space handles groups well. Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside.
Plan around the schedule, since Garbo’s is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. It opens at 11 AM the rest of the week and closes at 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
8. Imo’s Pizza, Columbia, MO
For many Missourians, Imo’s is the name that comes to mind first when someone says St. Louis-style pizza. The Columbia location brings that famous thin crust and Provel cheese to mid-Missouri.
The crust is crunchy, the toppings are generous, and the sauce has a loyal following. Provel can be an acquired taste for newcomers, but fans tend to stay fans for good.
Sandwiches, pastas, and salads fill out the menu, and the house dressing is a favorite pairing. The clean, no-frills dining room keeps the focus on the food.
With college students all over Columbia, quick delivery is a big deal here. Dine-in, carryout, and no-contact delivery are all options.
The shop sits on Business Loop 70 W and is open 10:30 AM to 10 PM every day. That makes it a reliable stop for a road trip pause on the way across the state.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.