Great pizza traditions sometimes start in the unlikeliest places, and Impellizzeri’s in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is a perfect example. 🍕
The restaurant occupies the historic Stewart Opera House on the town square, a building that once served as offices for Hardin County government before becoming home to Kentucky’s most celebrated pizza style.
Founded on a Louisville tradition dating back to 1979, this location brought the legendary “Louisville Style Pizza” outside Jefferson County for the very first time.
How Impellizzeri won Elizabethtown’s hearts
Impellizzeri’s story begins with founder Benny Impellizzeri, who started his pizza career in 1968 at a Louisville restaurant called Mario’s before eventually striking out on his own in 1979. 🍕
Benny developed a style built on two layers of toppings and two layers of cheese, a technique that became so associated with the city that it’s now called “Louisville Style Pizza.”
After decades of building a following at the original Highlands location, the brand expanded and, in 2017, opened its first store outside Jefferson County, right in the heart of downtown Elizabethtown, inside the historic Stewart Opera House.
That expansion wasn’t just about opening another storefront; it was about bringing a genuine piece of Louisville culinary history to a new community.
The Elizabethtown location was designed as a flagship store, and it embraced the town’s own identity by pairing its pizza with over 80 bourbons on the menu, a nod to Kentucky’s bourbon country roots.
Impellizzeri’s has built its reputation on homemade dough, family recipes passed down through generations, and a menu that still leans on the same double-layered technique Benny invented decades ago.
That blend of authentic history and local pride is exactly why the restaurant became a genuine Elizabethtown favorite rather than just another out-of-town chain. 💛
Food Highlights
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The Deluxe: Homemade Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers.
- The Margherita: Garlic-infused extra virgin olive oil, Roma tomatoes, parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheeses, cracked pepper, and fresh basil.
- The Four Cheese: Mozzarella, provolone, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses.
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The Sampler: Homemade Italian sausage, pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, banana peppers, and black and green olives.
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The Meats: Pepperoni, homemade Italian sausage, ham, bacon, and homemade meatballs.
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The Old Forester Hickory BBQ: Old Forester spiked hickory BBQ sauce topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, chicken, bacon, red onions, and diced tomatoes.
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The Bianco: Garlic-infused extra virgin olive oil, light mozzarella, oven-roasted tomatoes, spinach, kalamata olives, roasted garlic, and herbed ricotta cheese.
- The Sweet N Spicy Pepperoni: Pomarola sauce topped with cupped pepperoni, sweet Peppadew peppers, and crushed red pepper flakes.
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The Chicken Bacon Ranch: Ranch sauce topped with mozzarella, grilled chicken, and crumbled bacon.
Atmosphere
Impellizzeri’s occupies the historic Stewart Opera House right on Elizabethtown’s town square, giving the restaurant a genuinely unique setting compared to a typical pizzeria. 🎭
The space features a full bar with an extensive bourbon selection, fitting right into the region’s identity as bourbon country.
It’s a casual, welcoming spot suited for families, date nights, and larger groups alike, with the charm of its historic building adding character to every visit.
It’s the kind of place where the setting feels just as memorable as the food.
Bottom Line
A legendary Louisville pizza tradition dating back to 1979, a historic opera house setting, standout pizzas built on double layers of toppings, an extensive bourbon selection, and genuine small-town charm make Impellizzeri’s worth the visit. 🍕🥃
Address:
14 Public Square #100, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
📞 (270) 766-1100
🕔 Open Sun 11 AM–9 PM, Mon-Thu 11 AM–10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM–11 PM