Transplanted Midwesterners from across the Valley will be flocking to Gilbert today for the opening of Arizona’s first Happy Joe’s Pizza.
The Iowa-based chain, which has 52 locations in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois, has a devoted following for its unusual specialty pizzas.
It lays claim to inventing the taco pizza – dubbed the Taco Joe, its bestseller – in the early 1970s. Another popular pizza is the Happy Joe’s Special, topped with Canadian bacon and sauerkraut.
The Gilbert location is located on Warner, just east of Gilbert Road, across the parking lot from Over Easy and Zipp’s Sports Grill. The space formerly housed Pita Di Vita, which closed last November.
At just 1,300 square feet, it’s much smaller than the typical Happy Joe’s, with indoor seating for only 32 people (plus a couple tables on the front sidewalk if weather allows).
The pizzeria does not take reservations and will rely heavily on delivery and carryout.
Hours are 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
There’s a lunch buffet from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. weekdays and Sunday brunch from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
