If you’ve spent any time in Rapid City, South Dakota, you’ve probably already heard the name — and if you haven’t yet made the trip to Pauly’s Pizzeria & Sub Co., consider this your sign to go.
A locally-owned Rapid City pizza spot that has been in the game since 1984, Pauly’s has spent over four decades proving that fresh ingredients, a made-from-scratch approach, and genuine community investment are all you need to build something truly lasting.
No gimmicks, no shortcuts — just bold, honest food baked to order in a neighborhood joint that Rapid City residents have claimed as their own. 🤎
How Pauly’s Won Rapid City’s Hearts
Since 1984, this locally-owned and operated pizzeria has built its reputation the old-fashioned way: by showing up every single day with fresh dough, quality ingredients, and a kitchen crew that genuinely cares about getting your order right.
Owner Brian isn’t just a face behind a counter — he’s the kind of owner who personally calls customers to address their concerns, tests his pizza machine when questions come up, and takes the time to research ingredients for diners with allergies. 🙌
Families come for the mac & cheese bacon pizza and kids’ favorites, couples come for the creative specialty pies, and solo diners come for the reliable classics that have anchored the menu for decades. 🍕
The menu itself is a testament to Pauly’s range — from the no-frills Cheese Pizza that lets the dough and sauce do the talking, to wildly inventive offerings like the Gyros Pizza and Reuben Pizza that demonstrate a kitchen totally unafraid to push the envelope.
The Build Your Own Pizza option — starting with fresh dough, red sauce, and mozzarella — gives diners total creative control, making the restaurant a favorite for groups and families with varying tastes.
For a family-friendly pizza restaurant in South Dakota, this place checks every box — and then keeps stacking more on top. 🏆
Food Highlights 🍕
-
Perfect Pepperoni: The flagship — with pizza sauce, extra mozzarella, and extra pepperoni, this is the pizza Pauly’s features front and center.
-
Meaty Pauly: This is the meat lover’s heavyweight champion of the menu — pepperoni, ham, smoked bacon, Italian sausage, and beef all piled onto a perfectly crisp crust. 🥩
-
Buffalo Chicken: Made with buffalo chicken, mozzarella, diced tomato, red onion, and feta cheese, served with a side of buffalo dressing — the tangy, spicy heat balanced perfectly by the creamy feta and fresh tomato.
- Deluxe Pizza: This well-rounded specialty pie delivers a satisfying balance of savory meat and fresh veggie topping — topped with pepperoni, beef, mushroom, green pepper, and black olive over pizza sauce and mozzarella. 🍕
-
Gyros Pizza: One of the most creative and unique pies on the menu — Gyros meat, mozzarella, diced tomato, red onion, and feta cheese, served with a side of tzatziki dressing.
- Chicken Alfredo: A rich, indulgent option for those who prefer to skip the red sauce — Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, chicken breast, smoked bacon, and feta cheese.
- Hawaiian BBQ Chicken: A sweet-and-smoky masterpiece — BBQ sauce, mozzarella, chicken breast, smoked bacon, and pineapple. 🍍
-
Pauly’s Trio: The perfect middle ground between the classic cheese and the fully loaded supreme — Pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, ham, and Italian sausage.🍕
Atmosphere 🏟️
Pauly’s Pizzeria & Sub Co. operates as a lively counter-service spot that leans into a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe — casual, fast-moving, and buzzing with local energy.
Don’t let the counter-service format fool you — reviewers consistently note that the space is cleaner and more put-together than your average pizza joint, with a neighborhood pub energy that makes it equally comfortable for a quick solo lunch or a full family dinner outing. 🏠
The kitchen is the star of the show here — everything is baked to order, so don’t expect lightning-fast service, but do expect a piping-hot pizza that was made specifically for you.
Bottom Line
Why Pauly’s Pizzeria & Sub Co. deserves a spot on your Rapid City itinerary:
-
🍕 Over 40 years of locally-owned pizza excellence in the heart of South Dakota’s Black Hills gateway city
-
🔥 A boldly creative specialty pizza menu — from Gyros Pizza to Reuben Pizza — that goes way beyond the ordinary
-
🥩 Generously topped, fresh-baked pies with a perfectly balanced crust that keeps visitors coming back
-
🌟 One of the most beloved family-friendly pizza restaurants in Rapid City with something on the menu for absolutely everyone
Address:
1624 E Saint Patrick St #101, Rapid City, SD 57703
📞 (605) 348-7827
🕔 Open Mon–Tue: 10 AM–8 PM | Wed–Fri: 10 AM–9 PM | Sat–Sun: Closed