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

Kansas City’s longtime home of generously-topped, thin-and-crispy KC-style pizza with 100% Wisconsin mozzarella. Founded in 1976 by Gregg Johnson, it has grown to 17 locations (16 in the KC metro + Lawrence) and remains independent and founder-owned, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Tier 1 (long-tenure, independent, founder-owned).

Description

Minsky’s Pizza is a Kansas City pizza institution known for hand-rolled, generously-topped pies — its signature thin-and-crispy crust with 100% Wisconsin mozzarella — alongside Original and Deep-Dish Pan styles, plus gluten-free, cauliflower, and keto crust options.12 Founded in 1976, it has grown to 17 locations while remaining independent and founder-owned, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.21

Locations

Multi-location operator pattern (per 2026-05-17_strategist-session-decisions-rounds-1-10 §D6.3): this is the operator-level parent page; it lists every location, and each location is its own Map pin linking back here. 16 of Minsky’s 17 locations are inside the KC metro (Lawrence, KS is outside scope per Geographic-Scope and is excluded from the Map dataset). Addresses verified 2026-06-02 against Minsky’s official per-location pages (linked from https://minskys.com/locations-menus/).[^loc]

KC metro (16)

#LocationAddressNote
1South Plaza5105 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64112Original 1976 (51st & Main); main dining room under construction 2026, open3
2City Market427 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64105River Market
3SW Blvd — Westside/Crossroads3063 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
4Barry Road East221 NE Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64155Northland
5Barry Road West (Zona Rosa)7007 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153Northland
6Liberty205 N 291 Hwy, Liberty, MO 64068
7Independence2551 S State Route 291, Independence, MO 64057
8Blue Springs2201 NW State Route 7, Blue Springs, MO 64014
9Lee’s Summit1251 NE Rice Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
10Leawood12920 State Line Rd, Leawood, KS 66209
11Prairie Village6921 Tomahawk Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208
12Metcalf (Overland Park)12627 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66213
13Lenexa13400 College Blvd, Lenexa, KS 66210
14Shawnee7198 Renner Rd, Shawnee, KS 66217
15Olathe (159th & Mur-Len)15983 S Bradley Dr, Olathe, KS 66062
16Olathe — Ridgeview (K-10 & Ridgeview)10540 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66061

Outside KC metro (1 — not in Map dataset)

LocationAddressNote
Lawrence934 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044Douglas County; outside KC-metro scope

Ownership and history

Ownership

PeriodOwner / OperatorNotes
1976 → presentGregg Johnson (independent, founder-owned)Founded Minsky’s 1976; still founder/owner; also founded sister concepts Osteria Il Centro (1995) + eggtc. (2006).14

Founder + the Godfather’s connection

Gregg Johnson opened the first Minsky’s at 5105 Main St (51st & Main, South Plaza) on March 6, 1976.24 Before Minsky’s, Johnson owned the original Omaha takeout pizza parlor that Willy Theisen bought out in 1974 and rebranded into the Godfather’s Pizza chain — Theisen, not Johnson, built the Godfather’s brand and franchise.56 (Minsky’s own materials describe Johnson as a “co-founder of Godfather’s,” which overstates the connection; the precise history is that he owned and sold the precursor parlor.) Johnson was later named the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association’s Restaurateur of the Year.4

Last verified: 2026-07-13 · Source: Minsky’s official core menu (Dec 2025) · URL(s): https://minskys.com/wp-content/uploads/minskys_menu_12-31-25.pdf · Confidence: High (current official menu PDF)

Minsky’s KC-style thin-and-crispy pizza — generously topped with 100% Wisconsin mozzarella — anchors a full menu of gourmet and build-your-own pies, appetizers, wings, salads, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and desserts.7

Appetizers

  • Cheesy Breadsticks — with roasted marinara ($6.99; plain $5.99)7
  • Pretzel Bites — freshly baked, with cheese sauce or honey mustard ($8.99)7
  • Egg Rolls — four fried egg rolls, Buffalo Chicken or Cheesesteak ($12.99)7
  • Fried Mushrooms — lightly battered and deep-fried, ranch or marinara ($10.99)7
  • Fried Mozzarella Sticks — with roasted marinara ($9.99)7
  • Baked Cream Cheese & Pesto Dip — with toasted pita wedges or breadsticks ($10.99)7
  • Garlic Cheese Toast — on an Italian roll with roasted marinara ($8.99; with salami & pepperoni $9.99)7
  • Toasted “St. Louis” Style Breaded Cheese Ravioli — with roasted marinara ($9.99; beef & sausage $10.99)7
  • Three Meatballs with Roasted Marinara — house-made meatballs, mozzarella and Romano, with breadsticks ($9.99)7
  • Garlic Bacon Cheese Rolls — Smithfield bacon, Alfredo-garlic sauce and mozzarella in deep-dish dough, with Alfredo dip ($12.99)7
  • Caprese — cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, basil, olive oil and balsamic glaze ($10.99)7
  • Seasoned Fries — tossed in Minsky’s seasoning blend ($5.49)7
  • Loaded Fries — seasoned fries with cheese sauce, bacon, jalapeños, green onions and tomatoes ($8.99)7

Wings & Strips

  • Boneless & Jumbo Wing Combo — three jumbo wings plus boneless wings with wing and dipping sauces ($14.99)7
  • Chicken Tenders — four breaded tenders with seasoned fries ($13.99)7
  • Buffalo Tenders — four tenders in signature hot sauce with fries ($13.99)7
  • Jumbo Wings — hot, bbq, sweet & spicy or garlic Romano ($15.99)7
  • Boneless Chicken Wings — 3/4 lb breaded chunks tossed in choice of sauce ($12.99)7
  • 3 Jumbo Wings with Fries ($12.99)7

Salads

  • Mediterranean Salmon Salad — grilled Faroe Island salmon, romaine and spring mix, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, kalamata olives, lemon vinaigrette ($15.99)7
  • Caprese — cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, basil, balsamic glaze ($10.99)7
  • Wedge Salad — iceberg wedge, blue cheese dressing, red onion, cherry tomatoes, bacon, croutons, blue cheese crumbles ($9.99)7
  • Chicken Bacon Club Salad — grilled or fried chicken, bacon, cheddar, provolone, red onion, olives, eggs, tomatoes, croutons ($14.99)7
  • Caesar Salad — romaine, croutons, Romano-Parmesan blend, Caesar dressing, red onion ($10.99)7
  • Greek Salad — romaine, feta, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, onions, cucumber, feta vinaigrette, pita ($11.99)7
  • House Salad — broccoli, carrots, cucumber, pepperoncini, cherry tomatoes, eggs, red onion, croutons ($6.99)7

Pasta

  • Fettuccine Alfredo — with seasoned Romano ($10.99)7
  • Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo — grilled chicken in Alfredo ($12.99)7
  • Spaghetti Marinara — roasted California tomato sauce ($10.99)7
  • Spaghetti & Meat Sauce ($11.99)7
  • Spaghetti & Meatballs — house-made meatballs ($12.99)7
  • Pesto Salmon Pasta — grilled Faroe Island salmon on fettuccine with garlic olive-oil pesto ($14.99)7
  • Chicken Parmigiana with Spaghetti — breaded chicken breast, tomato sauce, mozzarella ($14.99)7

Sandwiches

  • Meatball Sandwich — house meatballs, roasted marinara and mozzarella on an Amoroso’s hoagie (6” $12.99 / 12” $18.99)7
  • Philly Cheesesteak — steak, onions, mushrooms, white American cheese or Cheese Whiz (6” $13.99 / 12” $19.99)7
  • Gyro — beef and lamb, tomatoes, olives, red onion, feta, mozzarella, tzatziki ($12.99)7
  • Pork Tenderloin — breaded pork tenderloin, lettuce, tomato, red onion on a Farm to Market bun ($13.99)7
  • Minsky’s Sub — turkey, ham, pepperoni, mozzarella, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, creamy Italian (6” $13.99 / 12” $19.99)7
  • Sourdough BLT — eight strips of bacon, provolone, cheddar, lettuce and tomato on toasted sourdough ($13.99)7
  • Turkey Bacon Club — turkey, bacon, provolone, cheddar, lettuce and tomato on sourdough ($13.99)7

Burgers

  • Angus Bacon Cheeseburger — Angus patty, double-smoked bacon, choice of cheese ($14.99)7
  • All American Burger — Angus patty, cheddar, pickles, onions, special sauce ($14.99)7
  • Beyond Burger — plant-based patty ($13.99)7
  • Bacon Blue Cheese Burger — Angus patty, double-smoked bacon, blue cheese crumbles ($14.99)7

Chicken Sandwiches

  • Classic Chicken Sandwich — crispy fried chicken breast, pickles, choice of sauce ($12.99)7
  • Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich — tomato sauce and mozzarella ($14.99)7
  • Buffalo Chicken Sandwich — house buffalo sauce, provolone and blue cheese ($14.99)7
  • Grilled Chicken Club — grilled chicken, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion ($14.99)7

Gourmet Pizzas

Sizes: Mini 6”, Small 10”, Medium 12”, Large 14”, Gigantor 26”.

  • The Cupperoni — pepperoni, genoa salami and mozzarella topped with cupping pepperoni (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Combo — pepperoni, American sausage, hamburger, green peppers, onions, mozzarella, black olives (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Jumbo Combo — pepperoni, American and Italian sausage, hamburger, peppers, mushrooms, onions, black olives (S $18.99 / L $25.99)7

  • Italian Buffalo-Style Chicken — chicken in signature hot sauce, provolone, blue cheese and carrots (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Papa Minsky’s — pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami, roasted red peppers, Minskitoni sauce, mozzarella, Romano (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Cheeseburger — hamburger, Minskitoni sauce, onions, pickles, mustard, mozzarella, cheddar (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Prime Cut — pepperoni, hamburger, American and Italian sausage, mozzarella and crisp bacon (S $18.99 / L $25.99)7

  • Spicy Thai — chicken, red onions, red bell pepper, carrots, spicy Thai peanut sauce, mozzarella, peanuts, cilantro (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Gourmet Hawaiian — Canadian bacon, pineapple, red onion, sweet chili sauce, mozzarella, almonds, cilantro (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Mediterranean — lamb sausage, pesto or harissa, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella, feta (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • White Cheddar Bacon Mac N Cheese — Alfredo, white cheddar mac n cheese, Smithfield bacon, mozzarella, parsley (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Margherita — roasted burst cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, fresh mozzarella pearls, roasted marinara or harissa (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

  • Nature’s Choice — artichoke hearts, zucchini, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, mozzarella, tomatoes, almonds (S $17.99 / L $24.99)7

Regional Favorites

  • The Chicago — layered mozzarella, American and Italian sausage, meatball and pepperoni, roasted marinara and Romano on deep-dish crust (S $19.99 / L $26.99)7
  • Classic Detroit-Style Pizza — crispy cheddar edge, Wisconsin mozzarella, cupping pepperoni, Italian sausage, garlic, roasted marinara ($17.99; gluten-free $18.99)7
  • Vegetarian Detroit-Style Pizza — crispy cheddar edge, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, whipped ricotta, arugula, balsamic glaze ($17.99; gluten-free $18.99)7
  • The Louie — St. Louis-style cracker crust, garlic butter, Minskitoni sauce, cheddar-provolone-Swiss blend and mozzarella (S $13.99 / L $19.99)7

Build Your Own

  • Cheese Pizza — choice of Minsky’s Original, Signature Thin, Original Deep Dish or Panko Crunch crust (Mini $5.99 / Small $13.99 / Medium $16.99 / Large $18.99 / Gigantor $54.99)7
  • Gluten-free, cauliflower and keto crusts available for an added charge7

Calzones

  • Gourmet Calzone — choice of gourmet pizza combinations ($12.99)7
  • Build Your Own Calzone — up to four toppings ($12.99)7

Kids Menu (12 & under)

  • Mini Cheese Pizza ($5.99)7
  • White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Pizza ($7.99)7
  • White Cheddar Mac & Cheese ($5.99)7
  • Chicken Tenders — two breaded tenders with fries ($7.99)7
  • Kids Spaghetti — with marinara ($5.99), meat sauce ($6.49) or one meatball ($6.99)7

Desserts

  • New York Style Cheesecake — served with raspberry topping ($5.99)7
  • Cinnamon Churro Cheesecake ($6.99)7
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (3) ($4.49)7
  • Tiramisu — ladyfingers soaked in espresso with mascarpone ($6.99)7
  • Seasonal Cookies (3) ($4.49)7

Sources

Disputes

(None active.)

Footnotes

  1. Minsky’s Pizza — “About Us.” https://minskys.com/about-us/ — asserts: founded 1976; 17 area locations across Kansas + Missouri; thin-and-crispy + 100% Wisconsin mozzarella + heavy toppings; sister concepts Osteria Il Centro + eggtc. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. Kansas City Magazine — “Still Slicing: Minsky’s Hits 50” (2026). https://kansascitymag.com/still-slicing-minskys-hits-50/ — asserts: founded 1976; first location 5105 Main; 100% Wisconsin mozzarella (Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy); 50th-anniversary Wagyu pizza promotion. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  3. Minsky’s Pizza — official locations index, https://minskys.com/locations-menus/ (asserts 17 locations, 8 KS + 9 MO). Individual street addresses verified 2026-06-02 against each location’s own official page (e.g. https://minskys.com/south-plaza/, https://minskys.com/city-market/, https://minskys.com/leawood/). Cross-checked against Yelp for City Market, South Plaza, Barry Road West. ↩

  4. Minsky’s — “Gregg Johnson Named KCRA Restaurateur of the Year.” https://minskys.com/gregg-johnson-named-kcra-restaurateur-of-the-year/ — asserts: founder & owner Gregg Johnson; opened first location 1976; sister concepts Osteria Il Centro (1995) + eggtc. (2006). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  5. Godfather’s Pizza — official history. https://godfathers.com/about/ — asserts: Willy Theisen “bought out the pizza parlor and the name in 1974” and built the Godfather’s brand/franchise. ↩

  6. Wikipedia — “Godfather’s Pizza.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godfather%27s_Pizza — asserts: “Willy Theisen bought out the pizza parlor and the name in 1974 from Gregg Johnson (who later started the Minsky’s Pizza restaurants).” ↩

  7. Minsky’s Pizza — official menu, https://minskys.com/wp-content/uploads/minskys_menu_12-31-25.pdf (accessed 2026-07-13). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25 ↩26 ↩27 ↩28 ↩29 ↩30 ↩31 ↩32 ↩33 ↩34 ↩35 ↩36 ↩37 ↩38 ↩39 ↩40 ↩41 ↩42 ↩43 ↩44 ↩45 ↩46 ↩47 ↩48 ↩49 ↩50 ↩51 ↩52 ↩53 ↩54 ↩55 ↩56 ↩57 ↩58 ↩59 ↩60 ↩61 ↩62 ↩63 ↩64 ↩65 ↩66 ↩67 ↩68 ↩69 ↩70 ↩71 ↩72 ↩73 ↩74 ↩75 ↩76 ↩77 ↩78 ↩79 ↩80

More from the Registry

In Country Club Plaza See all →

More Pizza in KC See all →

See also

  • Registry
  • south-plaza
  • Owner-And-History-Research-Toolchain
Categories

On the record — ks.city/registry/minskys-pizza · record updated 2026-07-13