As a person who went to grad school in Chicago at DePaul, I can attest that the Pizza Man has the finest example of Italian Beef Sandwiches in Kansas City for about $6. The way to order an Italian Beef is dipped or not dipped. Dipped means the entire sandwich, bread included, is dipped into the au jus. Most Chicagoans will order it up dipped. It is messy but oh so delicious... The gonella-type bread can handle the dip and is exactly like it should be, the beef itself has the mandatory Italian spiced flavor and mostly importantly, the giardinera relish is spicy, spicy. This is the kind of Italian Beef you would find at any stand or mom n' pop shop in Chi Town. Even in Chicago, there are variations on the Italian Beef theme so don't visit a random stand in Chicago and think that there is 1 standard for Italian Beefs because there isn't. The mandatory items are gonella bread, tender Italian beef and a spicy giardinera relish. The giardinera is the most variable. Sometimes chunky like at the Pizza Man and sometimes chopped up, I've never met a giardinera that I didn't like. Giardinera will contain whatever veggies happen to be available including cauliflower, carrots, okra... pretty much anything goes... So, the Italian Beefs are the reason to go to the Pizza Man. If you have someone with you who doesn't want an Italian beef, I would steer them toward an extremely authentic Chicago dog with mustard, tomato, peppers and pickle spear or the Polish dog. The pizza is last choice for me, if I wanted pizza I would not go to the Pizza Man. It is Chicago style thin crust very similar to Rosati's. A passable example of its culinary genre but not worth making a special trip to 103rd and Pflumm for me. read more

Had a side salad and Italian beef with cheese, also had to back for a slice of "The Tony". My only regret is the side salad. Can't wait until I get hungry again! read more

A Chicago friend of mine took me here for lunch. He claimed to have searched all of KC for an authentic Italian Beef sandwich and this was the only place that did it right. The Food: The Italian Beef Sandwich is so, so good. It comes with 2 sides - giardiniera and a kind of au jus. The giardiniera has quite a kick but it's tasty. Meatball sandwich - The meatballs had a delicious seasoning to them, the best I've had so far. The Pizza - The pizza I had was a thin crust pepperoni. It was, I was told, not like Chicago style at all. It was much more like Imo's and was quite delicious. The Place: The ambiance was refreshing to say the least. You walk through the main door into a small vestibule to be met by a screen door. A screen door! The rest of the place is open and painted and covered with Chicago sports colors and paraphernalia, most Cubs red and blue. The seating is made of mismatched tables and chairs. Awesome. This is such a refreshment from all the cookie cutter same old, same old corporate places. The Service: You order, they cook it and bring it to you. Quite simple. Friendly. read more

Ordered 6 pies for carry out one weekend to feed a crowd. The prices are reasonable and the pies were ready when promised. Timing was really perfect, they had just rolled out of the oven and we watched the last one slide into it's box. Our order was filled accurately, everything was just the way we had requested it. Staff was friendly. I didn't realize this was thin crust pizza. Had I known that, I might not have ordered from them at all. I mean, it's a Chicago themed biz. Chicago does NOT do thin! Turns out, the crispy crust was just what I never knew I wanted. Toppings were fresh and generous. Try the Italian sausage, it's awesome. Glad I found you Pizza Man. read more

This place is all Chicago. Chicago dogs, Chicago Italian beef, Chicago style pizza. The walls are covered in Chicago team paraphernalia. If this place was located in Chicago it would get 3 stars. But in Lenexa? It gets 4. Ironically, same as many of the other reviewers, I have never had the pizza here. I can offer no opinion good or bad. What I can tell you is that the Italian beef sandwich is fantastic. Thin sliced Italian beef in a soft roll with an absolutely delicious hot pepper relish and a cup of au jus. If I could buy a jar of this relish I would put it on everything with a bun. I'd probably give Pizza Man 5 stars if they made the Italian beef themselves. But as the small sign on the front of the place indicates, its mass produced, they just heat and serve. Chicago dogs here are the real deal with all the fixins. Only place that I know of where you can still get these in the Metro. Delicious Chicago potato chips. MSG..yes. Trans fat...yup. Eatin a whole bag before my sandwich is ready...definetly. Try the Louisiana hot sauce flavor. Great little place for lunch or an evening sandwich. As soon as I can resist the dogs and Italian beef I'll give the pizza a try. Too bad the beef is bought, but as long as this is the only place around to get it, 4 stars. read more

Best Italian Beef in KC, hands down! The pizza is pretty good too. Poor location is the only thing keeping this place from being a KC favorite - hidden in a very low-key, hole in the wall strip mall on Pflumm, tucked in behind I-35 & Grinders Stonewall, it doesn't get the foot traffic or exposure it deserves. read more

So my friend Craig insisted that we try this place. He has been craving the chicago dog and italian beef. Luckily his wife wanted to try the pizza so we got an array of what the Pizza Man had to offer. First - it is in a strip mall - not well lit. Craig and wife actually went to the stone pizza something or other down the street. Luckily they called me and I directed them to the right place. It isn't a big place but it was pretty empty this wednesday night before Thanksgiving. We ordered: xl pizza - italian sausage, mushrooms and pineapple. Chicago dog Italian Beef - steamed? Craig chowed on the dog so I assume it was delicious. It had bright green relish, hot peppers, I assume celery seed. Whatever was on it - it was gone in about 5 seconds. I will have to go back and try that. The italian beef came with au jus and giaradiano or something. It was delicious - I totally took some before he got it all down. It was really flavorful and delicious. Pizza - good flavor, good sauce, good toppings, yum. I really enjoyed it and will return. The service was fast and friendly, the food was delicious and good bang for your buck. Free refills of soda. Win. I am counting the minutes until I get a real live chicago dog and italian beef sandwich. okaybye. read more

This place is right in my back yard and I was inspired to check it out by a review on KC Lunch Spots: http://www.kclunchspots.com/2008/04/pizza-man.html Ever since I made my first trip to Chicago a year ago, I have been jonesing for some Italian beef, and this place supposedly had the goods. I am here today confirming that they do indeed have the goods, and they are delicious. I got an Italian beef. I didn't have the option for cheese or getting it "dipped," but it was still great. The roll was soft and they supplied me with plenty of juice and hot peppers. The wife wanted a hot dog, but wasn't sure what to get and just ordered a Chicago dog. After ordering, I showed her a picture of what she'd be eating and nervousness set in. They serve the real deal Vienna Beef dogs. She loved it. Good thing, too, since I will likely be making her eat here on a frequent basis to get my fix. Aside from Italian beef and hot dogs, they have pizzas as the name might suggest. I don't remember anything else from the menu. You can add a small bag of chips and fountain drink to your order for $1.50. I'm sure the place has seen better days, but it's not bad inside. The whole place is a dedication to Chicago and the Cubs. Lots of items hanging on the wall in honor of the Cubbies. The paint inside the whole place is red and blue. There are some video games in the corner and a couple TVs you can watch. They have counter service, but the guy brought our food to us and picked it up after we were done. Very nice guy. I can't really think of anything bad to say. It's just a nice, old, neighborhood place to go grab a sandwich or pizza. Don't go in expecting anything different and you'll love it. read more

I've never actually eaten the pizza here. Well, how can you go to a pizza place repeatedly and not eat the pizza, you ask. Easy to understand when you go for the Chicago dogs. I'm not quite sure of the background of this place since they not only serve Chicago dogs but Chicago-style roast beef as well. I found this place during some random conversation over the summer; some guy recommended Pizza Man in Lenexa for a true Chicago dog. And he did not lie. Vienna beef, poppy seed bun, tomato, pickles, hot peppers, green relish, mustard, celery salt. It's all there. While fairly tasty, I'd say the dog is just about average in taste. It's definitely not kick ass but it will do if you are way south and have a craving. Convenient if you live in the south but not so much if you live in KCMO, though it'd be dumb to dock star for their location. I just wish there were closer options for the Chicago dog (which I've heard there now is!) read more

With many visits under my belt, I've branched out and tried new things. First thing's first: their Reuben sandwich was among the best I've ever had. I tend to judge a place by this menu item and Pizza Man passed with flying colors. Unfortunately, they've since then taken it off their menu. I mourn the loss every time I visit and secretly hope it will be there to greet me again whenever I go. (It still hasn't happened.) The pizza is also amazing! It's a thinner crust, with super melty cheese. Definitely a different kind of Chicago pizza. And then there's the Chicago Dog. So very delicious, authentic and makes it difficult for me to choose what to get when I go! (The sport peppers mean business. You've been warned.) read more

I had driven past this place a number of times and finally decided to try it. Besides the Chicago aspect (which I love), the food was really good and really reasonable. The 9" BBQ chicken pizza (6.95) I had was fantastic and the dogs that everyone else had looked very tempting. I will definitely be returning to this place. read more

Six stars is more like it. We went for lunch today and shared a medium pizza and the Italian beef sandwich- YUM! The service was SO fast and the food was delish. We even got to try the cheesecake -surprisingly ah-mazing! Came with a strawberry sauce & we licked the plate clean. I'd come back just for the cheesecake alone. Loved pizza man read more

Growing up in Chicago, I know all the foods...beef, hot dogs, pizza. When I first heard about this place a few years ago, I was really, really excited. Needless to say, I still go once in a while for my fix of Chicago food. Considering this is Lenexa, Kansas, the food is really quite decent...if you know what to get. The best thing on the menu (closest to actual Chicago) is, I think, the hot dogs. Everything is there, and it all tastes pretty darn close to how it does in the Windy City. The Italian Beef is OK. They do the best they can with a food that is just not very big outside of Chicago. Hot dogs, yeah, everyone knows hot dogs...same with pizza...but not Italian Beef, so I imagine some of the ingredients may be difficult to come by. The meat is OK, but I don't always think it's the best quality. The bread is nice, but not the good chewy kind like the real stuff. The peppers just don't have that same snap either, and it's only hot peppers (no sweet peppers, unfortunately) I have not had the pizza. I do like Chicago thin crust, but have just never gotten around to it here. They don't do deep dish, from my understanding. The Polish sausage, like the hot dogs, are pretty decent. Overall, I deem this place...worthy. It's not Chicago, but it's the closest you can get in the KC metro, I think. Only problem is 1) his hours are really short (I think they close at 7pm?), and 2) it can take quite some time, so try to call ahead. read more

New to the Kansas City area, I was on the search for deep dish Chicago-style pizza. Before I went, I knew they did not have deep dish, but decided to go anyway for the Italian beef. The Italian beef was very good for 'heat and eat" and I would get it again. As other reviewers have mentioned, the pizza toppings were more salty than flavorful. The crust was nicely crispy and the sauce was nondescript. We were there at off peak hours and the service was courteous and prompt. Next time, we'll try their Chicago dogs and the Reuben. I doubt we would order the pizza again. read more

Excellent thin crust pizza. Crispy crust, great sauce, cheese, and toppings. These pies are even better fresh out of the oven and enjoyed during dine in. Menu also includes classic Italian Beef sandwiches and tasty Vienna dogs. Theme is all Chicago but the pizza is more St. Louis style. This is easily one of the best pizza stops in KC. Enjoy! read more

Service is a little short here. Cashier did not listen to our check instructions and just rung us up and swiped the card for all instead of splitting as instructed. Obviously inattentive. The big deal here is the hot Italian beef. It's like Chicago. The right bread. The right jus. The right beef. The right Giardiniera. It's so good. The only thing missing is the ability to have them dunk the whole sandwich in the jus and counter to eat at while you are dripping into your plate. read more

Stopped in. First we ordered sandwiches. The guy yells from the back "youre supposed to call :so it will be a 45min wait" huh? Then we asked for a different menu item and he screams "we dont sell that because of covid" we will never go back read more

It's hard when you move to a new state and have to leave your favorite pizza place behind. Pizza Man pizza is as close as I've been able to get to my old Ohio favorite. Two thumbs up! read more

Moving to KC from Chicago was tough, but a coworker told me about this place. Visited today got the Italian beef with Peppers and mozzarella and it was INCREDIBLE. I had high expectations for this place, and those were blown out of the water. Definitely coming back here read more

Count me as another person who's never had anything here he didn't love. The pizza, the hot dogs, the Italian Beef, it's all fantastic. So many options. The service is perfectly laid back and friendly. The owner never seems to leave! I don't know how he does it. But he makes some great food and we always feel taken care of. Hours are a little unusual for a pizza place (11 am to 7 pm daily), so if you've got a late night craving, this isn't your place. But they've got some great lunch specials. The interior is what it is (see previous photos), but it's comfortable and a great place for Chicago pizza. read more

I used to really like this place, but unfortunately every time I go back it gets worse and worse. Today I had to wait almost 25 minutes for 3 hotdogs. I finally had to get them to go or I was going to be late getting back to work from my lunch break. By the time I got back to my office (which is less than 5 minutes away) the hotdogs were room temperature at best. Last time I went there, I was served an Italian Sausage that was raw in the middle. I may give it another chance, but my patients is wearing thin with them. If I do go back, it won't be any time soon. read more

Been here for lunch a couple of times. First time, I had a sub, second, a pizza. The sub was decent (not exciting, but filing) - however, the pizza was awesome. It is a thin crust pizza with a nice seasoned sauce and cheese with seasoning as well, very nice flavor! This will be a place I'll frequent. Prices are decent enough. the owner is pleasant and all, even took time to ask if we liked everything. Certainly, the place could use some deep cleaning and/or someone to come out and clean tables during lunch, but it isn't anything worse than I've not seen in other small independent run establishments. read more

Yummy food, did have a Weird smell by the soda area, like something is dead. I would eat here again though. Especially the Italian beef. Yummy! read more

Pizza Man - Pizza Near Me - Lenexa, Kansas

WOW, Another Great Meal from The Pizza Man! Cant' decide if the pizza is better than the Italian Steak...... Love em both! Don't let the construction keep you away! This is the Best Pizza in town! read more

Just had pizza and Chicago hot dog with my son and we both loved it. Very tasty and fresh. We were welcomed like they know us, felt special. Great job Pizza Man! read more

As some of the other reviews indicated, a bit of a dive cafe. That being said, we ordered the Italian Beef sandwich (served with Au Ju) and a pizza topped with Italian sausage. The sandwich is toasted and it was great! The pizza was also very good. Definitely worth stopping in for an authentic Chicago style sandwich and pizza. read more

The.Best.Italian.Beef.Ever!! They serve up a Chicago style Italian beef sandwich that will make you swoon! Everything about this sandwich..beef, jus, peppers, bread..it's all perfect. We have got the pizza once but we are pizza snobs so it wasn't for us. Nothing wrong with it, cracker crust and good toppings. I've been told the Chicago dog is really great too but I can't tear myself away from the sandwich. It's in a very small strip mall away from the road so it is easy to miss. Also they close at like 7:30 during week and I think 6p on weekends. Grinders is now right next door to strip mall if that helps with directions to this place. read more

Love thin crust pizza, and this is a great one. Fresh toppings, nothing canned. Doesn't reheat well.

Went with the Cheeseburger pizza with chunks of pickle on top, perfect topping to crust ratio. They have a simple, but well thought out counter-style menu. St. Louis style crispy square pizza always gets me. They also have tried and true classics, Chicago dog and Philly cheesesteak, to satisfy nostalgic cravings. A hole in the wall Lenexa pizza joint worth checking out. Order early, they're only open from 11-7 daily! read more

Best Italian beef I've had in KC. Kids liked the pizza. Thin crust with a tasty sauce. Very casual place with a homey feel. I'd highly recommend. read more

Pizza Man - Pizza Near Me - Lenexa, Kansas

Fantastic lunch! My honey and I came to Pizza Man for lunch today and were very impressed. We shared a Chicago dog and an Italian Beef and brought home a Kitchen Sink pizza minus the pineapple. Everything was very delicious and fresh tasting....possibly the best pizza I have ever eaten. The lady and gentleman that waited on us were very friendly and helpful as well..brother and sister which makes it a family run business which I really appreciate. We loved it and will definitely go back! read more

For authentic Chicago thin crust pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef this is the place. It's a husband and wife establishment that's reminiscent of Chicago's neighborhood shops. I've been going there for the past 12 years and while I've eaten at other Chicago style restaurants I always comeback to the Pizzaman. read more

This is my favorite place to eat in all of Kansas City the hot beef and cheese with the spicy pickled vegetables and the odds you dip sauce is amazing the Toni pizza amazing defense sliced pepperoni amazing it's I can eat it three times a week read more

It doesn't look too impressive, but the priority for me is always food. I really loved the pizza. It reminds me a bit of Imo's. It was reasonably priced as well. read more

I ordered the "Tony" which was basically an Italian Beef Pizza with Aus Jus. The pizza was really great and I look for trying out this place again. The only thing I didn't like is that I couldn't have a beer with my pizza, but that wasn't a huge issue. read more

This is the real thing. The beef taste just like its suppose to and the dogs are great. Great customer service as well

Was recommended by a guy at work for lunch. The guy taking and delivering the orders was a complete jerk. People also came in way after us and he delivered their food first then only delivered the pizza and not the two sandwiches we ordered. When we asked about the sandwiches he said "You'll get them when they are ready". Then they made my sandwich wrong and my colleagues right. I would not waste my time going to this establishment when there are so many other choices in the area. read more

Pizza was very good. Thin crust, good pizza sauce, and decent amount of toppings. Also, good prompt service, ready on time! Would definitely go basck. Good job! read more

On Saturday I set out to go this restaurant for the first time. I arrived at 6:34 pm. It was tough to find. When I arrived and ordered a pizza, I was told after I placed the order that it would have to be carry out pizza; they could not serve me in the restaurant because they close at 7 and quit taking dine-in orders after 6:30. This policy is stated nowhere but inside the restaurant after one drives to get there. I spoke directly with the owner and he was unapologetic and unaccommodating in any solutions. I live 30 minutes south of the restaurant and did not plan on going directly home so a carry out order was not a very viable solution but the owner didn't seem to care. Very disappointed with the way in which this situation was handled. One would think they would appreciate new business! Very disappointed. read more

After years of telling myself I needed to try The Pizza Man, I finally did it. I walked in early on a Friday evening and ordered 2 pizzas for carry-out: Italian sausage with mushrooms and Canadian bacon with pineapple, my usual test toppings for trying out a new pizza place. The place is rather spartan. Nothing fancy to say the least. Some Chicago memorabilia adorns the walls. Chicago is often associated with the deep-dish pizza. Although it probably started there in America and numerous pizzerias offer it in Chicago, the Chicagoland area is a pretty big place and you can find many styles of pizza besides deep-dish. Just check out the Chicago Pizza Club blog through a Google search if you are skeptical. Prior to the 1970's, deep-dish pizza was even a rare item in Chicago. Most pizzerias started out serving a style of pizza some refer to as Chicago thin-crust or Midwestern style. This is a very thin style with a crisp crust (sometimes referred to as a cracker type crust) cut in squares (i.e., party-cut or tavern-cut). This is the kind of pizza I grew up on throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. But I digress. The type of pizza served at Pizza Man is definitely of the Chicago thin-crust variety. I would definitely categorize it as a cracker crust. It is cut in squares. The crust is actually fairly unremarkable, even for a cracker crust. Crisp, yes, but save for the flavor it picks up from the well-seasoned oven they use, it is rather bland. The sauce is another matter. Just enough, although somewhat sparing in quantity. It definitely has some flavor, and a bit of a kick to it (chili powder perhaps?). The cheese is sufficient both in quality and quantity. I suspect they use a blend of cheeses, which is also typical of this pizza style. The toppings were good, but varied somewhat in quality. For example, the Pizza Man's Italian sausage is spot on. Very good. The mushrooms were fresh, which is definitely a plus. The Canadian Bacon/ham was unremarkable. Pineapple was definitely the canned variety, but okay. So, overall, I thought the pizza was A-OK. I will probably go back, but it is definitely not one of my favorites. However, consider the nostalgia factor for me with this type of pizza. I suppose next time I should try one of their sandwiches, which everyone seems to rave about. read more