This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.

a longtime Northland (Englewood) family pizzeria specializing in authentic St. Louis-style thin/cracker crust with Provel cheese, cut into squares. Founded in 1974 by Leo Failoni, a St. Louis native who “would rather make pizzas than sell shoes.” Family-operated for 50+ years. Tier 1 (long-tenure, independent, family-owned).

Description

Leo’s Pizza has anchored the Englewood area of Kansas City’s Northland (408 NW Englewood Rd) for over five decades, serving authentic St. Louis-style pizza — a super-thin, yeast-free cracker crust topped with Provel (the provolone/Swiss/white-cheddar blend) and cut into squares.123 It was founded in 1974 by Leo Failoni, who — after a career in shoe sales — “decided he’d rather make amazing pizzas instead of selling shoes.”42

Ownership and history

Ownership

PeriodOwner / OperatorNotes
1974 → presentFailoni familyFounded by Leo Failoni in 1974; family continues operation after his death in 2010.42

Founder

Leo J. Failoni was born September 22, 1930 in St. Louis, married Anna Marie Trantanella in 1953, and moved to the Kansas City area; he worked in shoe sales until opening Leo’s Pizza in 1974, bringing his hometown’s St. Louis-style pizza to the Northland. He died September 25, 2010 (age 80).45 The restaurant has remained a family operation since.

Sources

Disputes

(None active.)

Footnotes

  1. Kansas City Magazine — “Where to Get St. Louis-Style Pizza in Kansas City.” https://kansascitymag.com/where-to-get-st-louis-style-pizza-in-kansas-city/ — asserts: Leo’s serves authentic St. Louis-style pizza with Provel (mozzarella on request); “old-school spot.” ↩

  2. Our Changing Lives — “Saint Louis Style Pizza in Kansas City: Leo’s Pizza.” https://www.ourchanginglives.com/saint-louis-style-pizza-in-kansas-city-leos-pizza/ — asserts: family-owned/operated since 1974 (“rather make pizzas than sell shoes”); yeast-free cracker crust + Provel; decades in the Northland. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  3. Visit Clay County MO — Leo’s Pizza listing. https://www.visitclaymo.com/business/leos-pizza — asserts: 408 NW Englewood, Kansas City (official county tourism listing). ↩

  4. Kansas City Star — Leo Failoni obituary (2010). https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansascity/name/leo-failoni-obituary?id=4130820 — asserts: Leo J. Failoni, b. Sep 22, 1930 St. Louis, d. Sep 25, 2010; married Anna Marie Trantanella 1953, moved to KC; worked in shoe sales until opening Leo’s Pizza in 1974. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  5. Find a Grave — Leo J. Failoni (1930–2010). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130687581/leo-j-failoni — asserts: founder identity + dates; Kansas City. ↩

See also

  • Registry
  • northland
  • Owner-And-History-Research-Toolchain
Categories
  • Locally owned
  • Pizza
  • Northland