Pizza Cheeks is set to expand with a new full-service restaurant at the former Kaladi’s Bistro location. The restaurant will be located at 26th Street and Minnesota Avenue.
Owners Barry Putzke and Jordan Taylor are currently remodeling the space and developing a larger menu. The new offerings will include pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and more pizza options.
Pizza Cheeks, which opened in late 2020 inside The Hello Hi cocktail bar, has grown from serving just a few pizza varieties to offering a small menu of New York-style pizza by the slice and whole pies. The original menu also includes a meatball sub, a few salads, and some shareable dishes.
“We’ve been limited by our space at The Hello Hi,” Putzke explained. “The bar’s hours restrict our schedule, and because minors aren’t allowed, families can’t come in for dinner, plus we can’t serve lunch.”
Though Pizza Cheeks will continue operating out of The Hello Hi for the time being, it will only offer pizza by the slice, with pies being delivered from the new location.
The Swedish-made oven currently at The Hello Hi will be moved to the new restaurant, along with a large mixer that Putzke once vowed never to move again. “The prices for a new one were too high,” he said.
The new full-service restaurant will offer extended hours, a wider variety of beer and wine, and a family-friendly environment. “We want to create a place that’s welcoming to families, with a menu centered around Italian dishes,” Putzke said. The expanded menu will include classics like chicken parmesan and eggplant parmesan, along with some unique options, like linguine and clams, which Taylor is excited to introduce.
“There’s a lot of Italian restaurants in Sioux Falls, but I think we’re bringing something unique,” Putzke said. “It will be approachable, and we’re drawing on Jordan’s culinary expertise to make it stand out.”
The new location will likely serve both lunch and dinner. Putzke is planning for hours from 11 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m., with extended hours on Friday and Saturday nights. Pizza by the slice will be available during lunch, with other menu items like pizza in smaller sizes as well.
Putzke and Taylor, who also co-own Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen, En Place Catering, and are part of the Perch ownership group, initially considered opening Pizza Cheeks as a standalone restaurant. However, they decided to start small at The Hello Hi to refine the concept and fill a gap for late-night food downtown.
When the Kaladi’s space became available, Putzke and Taylor saw an opportunity. “It’s close to downtown but feels like a neighborhood spot,” Putzke said. “We both agreed it was the perfect location.”
Scott Blount of Lloyd Cos., who brokered the deal, said there was significant interest in the space, but the owners chose Pizza Cheeks for their proven track record. “The pizza is excellent, and they have a loyal customer base,” Blount said. “With the new location, the exposure will only increase.”
The fact that the building has been used for restaurants in the past will help reduce renovation costs. “We’re still in the construction phase, cleaning and updating the space,” Putzke said. “We’re aiming for a late 2024 or early 2025 opening.”
The new restaurant will have seating for 80 to 90 people, with tables, booths, and a bar area. It will also feature a selection of Italian beers, wines, and other drinks, including seltzers and THC beverages. Several TVs will be added, and an arcade will be installed for families to enjoy while they dine.
Putzke is excited to share Pizza Cheeks with a wider audience. “People love our food, but because of our limited location, it hasn’t been easy for everyone to enjoy it regularly,” he said. “We can’t wait to bring it to a new crowd.”
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