Pickle breadsticks are real, and you can find them in a farm town with fewer than 500 residents.
I read that line once and instantly started planning a road trip around pizza.
The rabbit hole kept getting deeper, because one small-town stop pairs stone-oven pizza with homemade ice cream.
Another pizzeria named itself after the year the Margherita pizza was born in Naples, Italy.
Autumn in Kansas paints timbered hills, river valleys, and Flint Hills byways in shades of gold and rust.
I can’t think of a better reward after those chilly backroads than a hot, cheesy pie pulled fresh from the oven.
So I pinned eleven pizza stops near the prettiest fall routes in the state, with crusts ranging from blistered and wood-fired to thin and crackly.
Which one gets your first leaf-peeping detour?
1. Jhett’s Pizza
Cookies at a pizza joint? In Holton, the dessert case gets nearly as much love as the pies.
The menu covers unique pizzas, sandwiches, and freshly baked cookies, so nobody leaves without a sweet ending.
Holton sits in Jackson County, a small town of about 3,400 people. The roads around it roll through timbered hills and lake country, which makes for a gorgeous autumn backroad loop.
Once you park, start with the cheese bread. It’s one of the most popular openers here, and it buys you time to study the long list of toppings.
Craving something folded? Custom calzones let you build your own pocket of melted goodness.
Gluten-free crust is also available, so friends with dietary needs can join the fun.
The mood inside stays mellow and relaxed, with friendly table service. Kids get their own menu, and high chairs are on hand for the littlest leaf peepers.
Plan around the schedule, though. The doors open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and Sundays are closed.
Thursday and Friday evenings tend to be the busiest stretch. A late lunch on a weekday usually means a calmer table and an easier pace.
Address: 401 New York Ave, Holton, KS 66436
2. Birds Creamery
Pizza first, ice cream second, and zero apologies for either.
Birds Creamery in Wamego bakes from-scratch pizza in a stone oven and churns homemade ice cream on the side.
That combo feels made for a crisp fall day. Wamego sits in the Kansas River Valley near the northern edge of the Flint Hills, so the drive in comes loaded with color.
The crust is hand tossed and lands right in the middle. It’s not too thick and not too thin, which gives the toppings a sturdy base without stealing the show.
Want a little kick? The hot honey pepperoni and Italian sausage pizza brings sweet heat together on one pie.
A classic pepperoni works great too if you like keeping things simple.
Ordering happens at the counter, and you grab your own seat. Outdoor seating is available when the afternoon sun cooperates.
Check the hours before you go. The shop is closed Mondays, open 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and open 4 to 8 PM on Sundays.
Address: 515 Lincoln Ave, Wamego, KS 66547
3. AJ’s NY Pizzeria
A slice of the Big Apple turned up in the Little Apple, and nobody’s complaining.
AJ’s NY Pizzeria brings New York-themed pies to Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan.
The crust is thin and crispy, baked in a brick oven that runs hot. Folding a slice feels right here, and the fresh tomato sauce makes that fold worth it.
Garlic knots are the move before your pie arrives. They come packed with plenty of fresh garlic, so maybe skip any close conversations afterward.
The creative side of the menu keeps things fun. Look for the Meatball Parm Pie, the BBQ Chicken Pie, and the Chicken Bacon Ranch.
Not in a pizza mood? Wings, ravioli, salads, and Cheese Bricks round out the lineup, and there’s a full vegetarian menu too.
Manhattan makes an easy stop after a Kansas fall drive through the Flint Hills or around Tuttle Creek State Park. Counter service moves fast, which helps when the whole car is hungry.
Late arrivals are welcome, since the kitchen stays open until 10 PM most nights and 10:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Leashed pups can hang out with you at the outdoor seats.
Address: 301 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502
4. Cozy’s Pizza
Pickle breadsticks. Yes, really, and they’re the reason plenty of road trippers make the turn onto Main Street in Cunningham.
This tiny Kingman County town has fewer than 500 residents. Somehow it also has a pizza place serving thin-crust pies and quirky specialty items you won’t spot on most menus.
Toppings come piled on generously. The thin crust holds its own underneath, so you get plenty of flavor in each bite without a soggy middle.
Sandwiches are another strong pick if someone in your crew wants a break from pizza. Kids have their own menu, and high chairs are ready for small diners.
The space is known for being spotless, with quick and friendly table service. It’s the kind of quiet, welcoming room that suits a slow lunch after a prairie drive.
Timing matters most here. The restaurant is open 11 AM to 3 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 AM to 7:30 PM on Thursdays, and 11 AM to 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sundays and Mondays are closed. Plan a weekend afternoon drive across the southern Kansas prairie, and you’ll roll in right on time for those pickles.
Address: 115 N Main St, Cunningham, KS 67035
5. Lomato’s Pizza
Taco night and pizza night finally called a truce in Hays.
At Lomato’s Pizza, the taco pizza is a menu highlight and one of the most talked-about pies.
The crust here leans light and airy. It carries cheesy, generously topped pizzas without weighing you down before the drive home.
Calzones are another favorite, stuffed and baked for anyone who likes their pizza wrapped up. Sandwiches, wings, and salads fill out the rest of the menu.
Part of the fun is watching your food come together. The kitchen setup lets you see pizzas being made, which keeps antsy kids busy while you wait.
Lomato’s has been a Hays institution for years, with a laid-back feel and friendly table service. The focus stays on solid ingredients and consistent cooking rather than flashy trends.
Hays sits right along I-70 in western Kansas, near Smoky Hill River country. That makes it a handy stop if your fall trip covers a lot of miles.
Better still, the doors open seven days a week from 11 AM to 10 PM. Friday evenings get the busiest, so a Monday night visit is the calmest bet.
Address: 130 9th St, Hays, KS 67601
6. Coop’s Pizzeria
Honey and cinnamon on a pizza sounds like a dare.
At Coop’s Pizzeria in Salina, it’s called The Islander, and it also packs pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and pineapple.
The specialty list gets bold from there. The Meatatarian piles on imported Italian pepperoni, Italian sausage, andouille, sugar-cured bacon, beef, Canadian bacon, and roasted garlic.
Prefer something creamy? The Cream Cheese Classic is a house specialty, and the Original Supreme keeps longtime favorites in play.
Crusts are hand tossed and thick without turning doughy. The kitchen makes its dough, sauces, and dressings in-house, and each pie is built to order.
Don’t sleep on the gyros, which earn big praise. Garlic Breadsticks, Pepperoni Roll Ups, calzones, and pastas like Chicken Alfredo round things out.
The building sits a little off the beaten path, and the dining room feels homey and family-style. Reservations are accepted, which is handy for larger groups.
Salina makes a smart base after taking in fall color around the Smoky Hills and nearby Kanopolis State Park. Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed.
Address: 1219A W Crawford St, Salina, KS 67401
7. Papa Don’s Pizza
Spaghetti on a pizza? Papa Don’s Pizza in Fort Scott says why not, and the Spaghetti Pizza is a menu highlight for good reason.
That playful streak sits on top of solid basics. Crusts are handmade and crispy, and the pepperoni gets its own fan club.
Fort Scott is a historic small town with brick streets and Victorian architecture. Add the colorful autumn hills of Bourbon County, and the drive in feels like a postcard.
The menu stretches well past pizza. Pasta, a salad bar, and a chicken salad on a croissant give you lighter options, and homemade ice cream waits for dessert.
Families have plenty of reasons to love this spot. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a private dining room for birthday parties or bigger groups.
Reservations are accepted, which takes the guesswork out of a busy Friday. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating if your travel buddy has four legs.
Watch the weekend hours closely. Weekdays run 10:30 AM to 8 PM, Saturdays close at 4 PM, and Sundays are open just 11 AM to 2 PM.
Address: 10 N Main St, Fort Scott, KS 66701
8. Rudy’s Pizzeria
Can’t pick one pizza style? Rudy’s Pizzeria on Massachusetts Street serves several, and you can grab them by the whole pie or by the slice.
That slice option is a gift after a long drive. Try a couple of different ones and call it research.
The space has a rustic, hideaway feel with quick counter service. It’s an easy pit stop when your group is hungry and nobody wants to wait long.
Topping choices run long, and a big chunk of the list is vegan-friendly. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean plant-based eaters get real choices, not just a sad side salad.
Speaking of salads, they’re a strong pick here. Calzones also earn serious praise, so consider one for the road.
Lawrence is a popular stop after leaf peeping through Douglas County, especially around Clinton Lake and the Kaw River Valley. Mass Street itself makes a fun stroll once you’re full.
Hours run 11:30 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, with later closing at 8:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Sundays start at noon and wrap up at 8 PM.
Made-to-order food orders stop 30 minutes before closing.
Address: 704 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
9. Piatto Neapolitan Pizzeria
Ninety seconds is all it takes. That’s how long a pie spends in the imported Italian oak-fired oven at Piatto Neapolitan Pizzeria in Wichita.
The prep takes much longer. Dough is hand-stretched after resting for 24 hours, then topped with Bianco DiNapoli organic plum tomatoes from California and fresh mozzarella.
What comes out has a leopard-spotted crust that’s crisp, airy, and soft enough to fold. The owner trained with a master pizzaiolo in Naples, and it shows.
Red pizzas like the Margherita and Trio De Carne stay popular. Spice fans should eye the Diavola or the Francesca with ‘Nduja.
Vegan guests can order a Vegan Margherita with plant-based mozzarella. Save room for house-made cannoli or tiramisu, because skipping them feels wrong.
The room mixes modern and rustic touches behind a stone facade, and there’s a fireplace for chilly nights. Grab a seat around the oven to watch the pizzaiolos work.
Wichita caps off a Kansas drive along the Arkansas River valley nicely. Weekday hours start at 4 PM, while weekends open at noon, and reservations are accepted.
Address: 1706 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67214
10. 1889 Pizza Napoletana | Kansas City
Here’s a name with a history lesson baked in.
The 1889 honors the traditional story that a pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella, and basil was named for Queen Margherita during her visit to Naples that year.
Similar pizzas existed earlier, so the origin story remains disputed. Opened in 2016, this Kansas City, Kansas spot cooks its pies in imported wood-fired ovens.
They hit nearly 900 degrees and finish a pizza in about 90 seconds.
The result is a bubbly crust with signature charred spots and a light, smoky flavor. Cheese, sauce, and dough land in a balanced ratio that lets each part shine.
Craving sweet and savory together? The Honey Bee layers fresh pear, gorgonzola, arugula, and local honey on one beautiful pie.
Meat lovers can go big with The Butcher, which brings pepperoni, local Italian sausage, and housemade meatballs. The Prized Pig and a rotating Pizza of the Month keep regular visits interesting.
Shared plates include Bruschetta and The GIANT Meatball, which lives up to its capital letters. A fireplace inside makes the dining room a great landing spot on cool evenings.
Groups can even book private pizza classes. Hours start at 3 PM Tuesday through Friday and at noon on weekends, with Mondays closed.
Address: 2876 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103
11. Luigi’s 418 & Mario’s Pizzeria & Gelato
Two names, neighboring addresses, and gelato waiting at the finish line.
Luigi’s 418 and Mario’s Pizzeria and Gelato are listed at 418 and 420 Cherokee Street in historic Leavenworth.
The setting alone earns a detour. Leavenworth anchors the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway along the Missouri River bluffs, one of the best autumn drives in the state.
Inside Luigi’s, exposed brick walls and colorful artwork set a relaxed but polished mood. The space can feel casual for lunch or a little romantic for date night.
The margherita gets high marks for its thin crust, and the white pizza is another popular pick. Crusts have a homemade taste that makes the simple pies stand out.
Pasta fans have plenty to explore. Seafood ravioli, tortellini, penne Alfredo, and baked cheese lasagna share the menu with a hearty stromboli.
Bread with oil arrives as a pleasant start, and coffee is worth ordering on a brisk day. Then comes the gelato, the sweet reason Mario’s belongs on the itinerary.
Luigi’s operates Tuesday through Saturday, with Sundays and Mondays closed. Reservations are accepted, and a private dining room can host bigger groups.
Addresses: Luigi’s 418, 418 Cherokee St; Mario’s Pizzeria & Gelato, 420 Cherokee St, Leavenworth, KS 66048