Pizza Shoppe Review

The sweet aroma of dough filled the air as I took a sip of Mr. Pibb, watching as people rushed inside to get out of the rain. A storm was brewing outside, but I was safe sitting under the restaurant’s vintage, mustard yellow lights. Hipsters, families, and old people milled around, patiently waiting for their pizza or bobbing their heads to the band playing in the adjacent room. The Pizza Shoppe, located in the heart of Benson, was doing business as usual.

The Pizza Shoppe serves a diverse group of customers. A small stage area—called the Pizza Shoppe Collective—draws music lovers to the restaurant for live performances by local groups. Even without live music the atmosphere is cool and captivating. With a jukebox playing over loud speakers, the vintage tables and booths, and a wide variety of food, the Shoppe is a cool place to hang out.

When I visited, the melding of old and new made my experience enjoyable. My family used to go to the Pizza Shoppe all the time when I was little, and seeing how the place had changed was truly amazing. Despite the Shoppe’s evolution, one thing has remained the same: the food.

First, I ordered a small house salad with “The Pink Stuff” as my dressing. “The Pink Stuff” is the Shoppe’s famous, homemade dressing that’s literally pink. The creamy sauce is sweet with a garlicky bite and adds flavor to a plain old salad. It was delicious and—since I’m a sauce-lover—I even licked the rest of the sauce off my fork when I finished my salad.

After I devoured my salad, it was time for me to choose my main meal. I decided to order my own personal, Kansas City-style pizza with Canadian bacon, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese. The flaky, delicate crust melted in my mouth while the sweet red sauce balanced out the savory Canadian bacon flavor—easily making the pizza one of the best I’ve ever had.

I was pleased with my visit to the Pizza Shoppe. The unique atmosphere, mouth-watering food, and friendly staff are the reasons why customers, including myself, keep coming back. The Pizza Shoppe is a restaurant for anyone including college kids, older people, or hip teenagers. Whether you’re a hungry customer looking for some scrumptious food or you’re in dire need of hearing some live music, the Pizza Shoppe is the place to go.