Tucked inside a restored, historic piano shop just off downtown Hot Springs, SQZBX Brewery & Pizza has quietly become one of Arkansas’s most beloved hidden gems.
Owners Zac and Cheryl turned a century-old building into a couple-owned pizza spot that brews its own beer and hand-tosses every pizza from scratch.
This is the story of how a small Hot Springs restaurant became a must-visit destination for locals and travelers alike. 🍕
How SQZBX won Hot Springs’ hearts
SQZBX built its reputation the same way it builds its dough: slowly, carefully, and completely from scratch.
Zac and Cheryl restored a building listed on the historic register, once home to Joe Davis’s old piano shop, and turned it into a genuinely unique Arkansas brewery and pizzeria.
Every morning, the kitchen starts making dough from crates of vegetables, sacks of flour, and boxes of yeast, then cold-proofs the dough for several days before hand-tossing it into the restaurant’s signature crust.
Locals also gravitated toward the restaurant’s build-your-own pizza options, offering premium toppings like fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, and kalamata olives for diners who wanted something beyond the house menu.
Combined with a full lineup of house-brewed beer, SQZBX gave Hot Springs a reason to treat pizza night as an event.
Word of mouth eventually spread the shop’s reputation well beyond downtown Ouachita Avenue, turning it into one of the most talked-about hidden gem restaurants in the entire region. 🍺
That mix of scratch-made dough, house-brewed beer, and genuine ownership pride is exactly why SQZBX became a true Hot Springs institution instead of just another neighborhood pizzeria.
Food Highlights
-
Wide Load Pizza: Ham, sausage, pepperoni, salami, red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, red onions, and olives, finished with prosciutto and fresh basil. 🍕
- Margherita: Fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and Roma tomato on a hand-tossed crust with a perfectly charred edge.
- Biggie Small Pepperoni: Large pepperoni paired with smaller cupping pepperonis, loading the pie with as much pepperoni flavor as possible.
-
Hot Honey Pizza: Pepperoni and mozzarella finished with a drizzle of hot honey, balancing spicy heat with a touch of sweetness. 🍯🌶️
-
Greek Pizza: Pesto and red sauce topped with feta, kalamata olives, mozzarella, and red onions, finished with fresh basil. 🫒
-
Fungal Jungle: Crimini, oyster, and portabella mushrooms combined with onion and roasted garlic.🍄
- Veggie Pie: Red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, red onions, and roasted garlic, finished with basil and arugula.
- Meat-Head Pizza: Ham, sausage, pepperoni, and salami finished with prosciutto and fresh basil.
-
Ham and Pineapple: A sweet-and-savory classic topped with ham and pineapple, with jalapeños suggested for those who want extra heat 🍍
Atmosphere
SQZBX blends historic charm with laid-back brewery energy inside its beautifully restored downtown building.
The space feels casual and welcoming, with an on-site brewery adding to the relaxed, neighborhood-hangout vibe.
It’s the kind of spot where a pizza night can easily turn into an evening of sampling house-brewed beer. Locals and visitors alike describe it as a true hidden gem worth seeking out. 🍺
Bottom Line
SQZBX earns its cult following through scratch-made dough, house-brewed beer, a historic downtown setting, and genuine couple-owned charm. Add build-your-own pizza options and daily fresh ingredients, and it’s easy to see why Hot Springs keeps coming back. 🍕
Address:
236 Ouachita Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901
📞 (501) 609-0609
🕔 Sun–Thurs 11 AM–9 PM, Fri–Sat 11 AM–10 PM (closed Wed)