1960s Charm

CHARLIE’S PIZZA HOUSE

written by Dawn Geertsema & photos by John Snyder

Started in 1959, Charlie’s Pizza House in Yankton is one of the oldest pizzerias in South Dakota.

Despite many changes in ownership, the traditional way of making pizzas has stood the test of time. From the dough to the time dedicated to cooking the perfect pizza pie, owner Chuck Rezac says Charlie’s has maintained their ‘60s pizza-making charm.

“It’s a traditional, old fashioned way of doing pizza,” he said. “It’s not fast, but doing it that way gives it a uniqueness. It’s a great time to go into a restaurant and eat pizza with your family, and there aren’t a whole lot of pizza places that do that anymore.”

Rezac says Charlie’s Pizza isn’t like just any pizza at a chain restaurant because each slice has just the right flavor and texture.

“It’s hard to explain the flavor because it’s not like any other pizza place with the seasoning on the hand-tossed crust,” said Rezac.

The team dedicates time to making every pizza with care from toppings like fresh mozzarella cheese to the time in the oven. In March, Charlie’s opened a new location in Sioux Falls near 69th and Western.

“I have a bunch of friends and family in Sioux Falls. We happened to notice that the old Look’s Market location was open, and it was the perfect spot,” said Rezac. “I fell in love with it, so I decided to do a sit down restaurant as well as to-gos.”

Whether you’re in Yankton or Sioux Falls, Rezac says Charlie’s Pizza is worth the stop.

Order To Go

Not feeling a sitdown restaurant? Try ordering carryout.

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One of the top sellers for the pizzeria is the Festus.

“It has meatballs with pepper jack cheese slices overtop with sauerkraut and jalapeños. It’s very unique and very good. People think it’s weird when they first see it, but when they try it, they stick with it,” said Rezac.

Many of the pizzas are named after actors from around the 1960s.

“Three Stooges is really popular. It’s like a cheeseburger pizza with full slices of dill pickles on it,” said Rezac.

The pie named after Betty White is spinach artichoke alfredo.

For seafood lovers, there's Marilyn's Mermaid Heaven with shrimp, crab, and olives.

There are also options for vegetarians with Woody Allen’s Very Veggie and for meat lovers.

“Our mural was hand painted by Sophia Weisensel from Sioux Falls.” Chuck Rezac

“We sell the most of The Works, which has onions, green peppers, beef, mushrooms, sausage, and pepperoni,” said Rezac.

Stop by Monday through Friday between 4 and 5 p.m. for a deal.

“We do a happy hour special, so when you order a pizza, you get half off tap beer and house wine,” said Rezac. “You can order it to go home and have drinks with your friends, or you can dine in and eat it.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT CHARLIESPIZZAHOUSE.COM.+