Pizza Travels: Mission, Kansas

Sometimes the balance of the universe is restored, reminding us there is a pizza god.

Back in September of 2021, I wrote a story about one of the biggest tragedies of the covid pandemic nonsense: A beloved pizza restaurant closed (Read: Covid Finally Hits Home). This was a horrible time in my life because the place in question was by far one of my favorites, not just in the Kansas City area, but anywhere. I’m talking about Avelluto’s in Mission, Kansas (a suburb of Kansas City).

When I said it was a tragic time, it wasn’t just about me.. The truth of what I wrote back then cannot be understated. This place closing was truly a loss and a shock for an entire metropolitan area. Every news station in the city ran a story about it. Social media exploded with comments about how horrible the closing was. People literally cried because it was gone. The closing put the entire covid show on hold because this was far more important.

HOWEVER…

In January of 2024, an announcement was made in the local news about their being talk of the restaurant reopening. Yes, the rumors were true, and in May of 2024, it happened. They reopened.

This story is a little more involved than most of my Pizza Travels posts, but when I say this place has some of the best pizza you will ever eat anywhere, I mean it with all my heart. It is truly a destination location worthy of traveling to, and despite them being gone for 4 years, the pizza upon reopening was somehow better than it was before. It will make even a non-connoisseur rave about the mouth watering flavor. Their sweet house made red sauce and the cheese blend they use is some of the best you will ever taste.

If you go during prime times (lunch or dinner hours), be prepared to see a line of hungry people out the door and down the sidewalk upon arrival. If you plan to dine in there will probably be a wait for a table, and if you think you’ll call ahead to order or pick up, guess again. Sometimes they are so incredibly busy they won’t take phone orders, and if they do, it’ll probably be an hour or two wait time. I waited 4 years to eat their pizza again so I had ZERO bad feelings about waiting what was probably an hour and a half for an incredible taste I never thought I’d experience again.

BUT…

Don’t take the wait as a bad thing. It should be seen as a testament to how good it is. Plus, it’s not always super busy, so if you go during off hours you should be fine. I won’t say this very often about many places, but if you do have to wait, it is absolutely, 100%, without any doubt, worth every minute.

In the days of the reopening, even after having to wait just to get to the counter, customers could not spend their money fast enough to get their orders. I have never seen such excitement to order pizza. One by one, people were going up to the owner (John), thanking him for reopening. I even saw an old man praying, thanking God they were back (well, it’s possible that was my reflection I saw).

It seemed like everyone was taking selfies, trying a catch a glimpse of John tossing dough in the background, then posting on social media saying, “Look where I am!” This was people watching at it’s finest. I felt more like I was at an Italian wedding than a pizza restaurant after watching the happiness and generosity being shown to everyone there.

There was a drink pitcher on the counter that was overflowing with tips, and it wasn’t change either. There were plenty of ones, lots of fives, tens, and even a few twenty dollar bills spilling out. It was really heartwarming to see how overjoyed everyone was, and it wasn’t just superficial. This was true bliss. To see this kind of overwhelming support for a small family business is truly a good thing, especially when it involves pizza.

All the back story aside, Avelluto’s pizza is awesome. They make authentic New York style pizza by the slice or whole pie, but they also have an amazing Sicilian deep dish that is beyond filling. If for some reason you don’t want pizza they also have a full Italian menu will satisfy anyone, and you won’t hear anyone say the food here is just “okay” because EVERYTHING on the menu is good. There are not many places where you can make a bold comment like this, but this really is a place where you can confidently say that.

So yes, the balance of the universe (at least the pizza universe), was restored by this place reopening. Those who had it before are left fulfilled once again, while a new generation of pizza lovers who have not yet had the joy of eating here can now see what all the hype is about.

If you are traveling anywhere near Kansas City, skip the barbecue and divert yourself here. It’s located at 6846 Johnson Drive in Mission, which is about 10 minutes southwest of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

~ Marty ~

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Thank you for taking the time to read this! I am in no way compensated for my Pizza Travels posts, though I wouldn’t turn down free pizza if offered (hint hint). Feel free to Like and Share my posts and be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss out on future content.

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