Ring the King

Every state has its stereotypes and reputations, and Indiana is no different in that regard. As a native Hoosier, I can attest to a lot of the reputation being accurate as there are definitely plenty of cornfields, a shockingly low cost of living, and a fondness for enormous pork tenderloin sandwiches. Besides all of that, there is one Indiana restaurant franchise that started as a single local eatery that tends to send any Indiana resident into a little tizzy over the idea of that restaurant being dinner for the evening. Even though I am now living in another state, the Hoosier blood bleeds as red as the phenomenal pizza sauce you can find on pizzas made by Pizza King, which happens to be the best pizza place in the entire Midwest.

What Makes It So Unique?

1. Phones at tables! What?!

Yes! At each table in the restaurant, you don't wait for your server to visit your table. You pick up the phone and the kitchen picks up and takes your order whenever you're ready. Of course, the servers stop by immediately upon seating to take your beverage order, but you're open to take your time and review the menu without any pressure from servers showing up before you're even ready. Once you receive your drinks and pick up the phone to talk to the kitchen, you won't see your server again until food is ready.

2. They sell frozen versions of their unique pizzas for long distance travel (and they even ship out of state, because Hoosiers far from home still need that flavor!)

3. The toppings are all finely diced.

Most pizza places come with full pepperoni slices, long strips of peppers and onions, and sliced mushrooms. Pizza King finely dices each topping, including every single meat and vegetable available. While you might not think the diced ingredients would be as flavorful as the larger ones, you'll find that Pizza King adds plenty of those tiny little flavor bursts all over your pizza. When I say "all over" I mean all the way to the edge.

4. Toppings to the very edge?

You heard me right! This pizza has no crust. The sauce, toppings, and cheese are literally spread to the very edge of every pizza. If you have picky kiddos who dislike eating the crust, this is the best pizza to buy for them! No crust goes to waste.

5. Last but not least, the square cut.

The entire pizza is always cut into squares. This may not be the most unique quality of the pizza, but when you combine that with diced toppings that cover the entirety of the pizza as well, it makes it all the more different from any other pizza joint.

What I've Tried

Of course, all of the Feast and customized pizzas are incredible in their own ways, but what's a pizza place without having a few other options for those who got dragged out for pizza when they wanted something else?

Besides chicken strips and fries being a common option (which are okay, but definitely not their specialty), there are also salads and a wide variety of delicious submarines. My personal favorite sandwich since I was young is the Beef Boat, which is loaded with tender roast beef and smothered in a salty, delicious gravy that soaks beautifully into the soft fluff of the bread. My favorite location in Muncie, on McGalliard Road, has a salad bar with the most uniquely flavored dressings and toppings I can't possibly even attempt to make a salad taste similarly.

Another amazing submarine is the Big Sir, along with the Original. I haven't tried all of them, but every single one I've tried has been deeply enjoyable and nowhere near regrettable.

Oh, of course! We can't forget the breadsticks! They're thin, brushed with a vibrantly flavored dill butter, and served with extraordinary cheese sauce (or marinara if you prefer.) The cool part of ordering breadsticks is that locals all know there are different ways to order them: fully baked, half baked, or a quarter baked. Hoosiers will debate their preferences 'til they're blue in the face (personally, I just go for fully baked, as I enjoy the little bit of crispness on the outside!)

Where Can Pizza King Be Found?

There are multiple locations all over Indiana. If you click here, you'll see the entire list!

Why is Pizza King So Important to Hoosiers?

Hoosiers have memories, traditions, and happiness when it comes to talking about Pizza King pizza. The recipe and business was born in Indiana and grew into something so special that all of us who have had to leave cornfield country all long for those flavors, textures, and amazing overall quality.

For me, driving to visit my Nan in Muncie always meant having Pizza King for dinner. My favorite McGalliard Road location has had an old school PacMan arcade game in it for as long as I can remember, and I have many years of fond memories playing as we waited for pizza to arrive. Pizza King has been the go-to choice when everyone wants something more delicious than a national chain tends to be.

I've had family members work there, made friends with people who worked there, and out-of-towners excited to get back to that flavor again after loving it so much the last time they were around.

The great thing about food is that it's something all humans can agree on. Everyone has to eat, and everyone likes to eat things that are delicious, unique, and something that can be talked about later. It's not necessarily a controversial topic, and food makes memories for all of us. When the food has notable qualities and keeps you coming back for more, it essentially becomes a relationship that you care a great deal about. The restaurants exist to feed you, but you exist to make the memories and spread the word about how well you were fed. Pizza King has been doing this since the 1950's, and any Hoosier will tell you that you haven't really lived until you've had a square of Midwest pie.

Thank you for spending time reading my work. Your time is valuable, and I appreciate every moment of it. If you’d like to follow my writing updates and newest articles, you are free to follow me on my Facebook page, Banani Blurts It Out. If you prefer to use Twitter, feel free to follow me @danibanani23. If you would honor me with a heart or a small tip, I would be forever grateful, but knowing you spent time here to begin with is enough.