A perfect pizza from an authentic, local Italian restaurant is among life’s greatest treats. South Dakota has plenty of locally-based artisanal pizzerias with everything from thin New York-style pizza to deep-dish Chicago pizza. Here are the 8 best pizza restaurants in the state. You’re going to want more than just one slice!
Despite recently relocating from Keystone to Hot Springs, this SoDak classic is reeling in more satisfied customers than ever before! This down-to-earth joint has thick, soft crust, heaps of cheese, and wonderful topping combinations. Big Time Pizza also serves Baltika Beer, a popular Russian beer that perfectly complements the pizza. You won’t leave hungry!
Opened in 1959, Charlies claims to be the oldest pizza house in the state. This restaurant has certainly perfected their craft. Specialty pizzas are inspired by old celebrities, such as the Hawaiian Elvis with ham, pineapple, and sauerkraut, “Hepburn’s Spicy Delight” with mozzarella and spicy meatballs coved with Swiss cheese, and “Marilyn’s Mermaid Heaven” with shrimp and crab mixed with green and black olives. The atmosphere is cozy and retro, with neon lighting and vintage artwork adorning the walls. Check out this delicious piece of Yankton history!
The toppings are abundant and flavorful, the hand-tossed sourdough crust is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the dough is the best in the state. The gourmet pizzas have unique but delicious combinations. Combinations include the Mahalo with marinara sauce, bacon, and pineapple, “Pompeii” with olive oil, garlic, spinach, Roma tomatoes, bacon, and lightly sprinkled feta cheese, and “Dances with Goats” with alfredo sauce, garlic, artichoke hearts, grilled chicken, red onions, sweet corn, Roma tomatoes, and topped with feta cheese, and many, many more. Customers also have the option to build their own pizza. The indoor dining is elegant, with stone walls, chandeliers, and an old pizza oven. There is a beautiful outdoor dining patio, complete with a fire pit and great view of Spearfish. One caveat about this pizza joint: They only accept cash. Don’t skip on the cheese bread!
Pizza King was the first pizza restaurant in the town, and prides itself on being the pizza Brookings grew up on. Pizza is authentic Italian with thin crust and think sauce. Make sure to taste the oddly popular combination of sauerkraut and bacon (don’t knock it until you try it!)
Pizza and beer go together like biscuits and gravy, so head on over to Rapid City’s beloved Independent Ale House. With 40 taps of beer in constant rotation, this joint knows how to keep customers coming back. They serve over a dozen different handcrafted signature pizzas. Specialty pizzas include the baked potato pizza with garlic red mashed potatoes, crumbled bacon, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream, the Althea Pizza with olive oil, fresh garlic, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese blend, and sprinkled with oregano, the “Five-O Pizza” with barbeque sauce, cheese blend, crumbled bacon, fresh pineapple, and fresh jalapeno, and many more one-of-a-kind creations. Visit the Independent Ale House for the best pizza Rapid City has to offer!
Tomacelli’s is known around Sioux Falls for their amazing deep dish pizza, in addition to regular pizzas. The number of toppings available is too long to count and includes unconventional options such as andouille sausage, shrimp, crab meat, Italian sausage, pickles, and sauerkraut. Gluten-free crust is available upon request. With 25 gourmet and specialty pizzas, customers are guaranteed to find exactly the pizza they are craving!
With 14 specialty pizzas, 17 flavors of ice cream, and a lunch buffet, Pizza Lab is a local favorite. The atmosphere is fun with video games and pool tables to play at while your pizza is cooking. Specialty pizzas include the garlic chicken pizza, the Calamity Jane pizza with clams, tomatoes, with extra virgin olive oil, and the Supreme Pizza with pepperoni, beef, Italian sausage, smoked ham, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, jalapenos, and garlic. You’re only a stranger here once!