Papa Keno’s Pizzeria

Reviews

• John R.

  star star star star star 11 July 2026

  Came in about an hour towards closing on a Friday evening maybe an hour before closing.  It was a warm night so there were quite a few people sitting out in the sidewalk seating.  We pretty much had the run of the inside to ourselves.
  
  It prides itself on being an "East Coast Style" pizza place.  I don't really care what style your pizza is since I like it all.  They have pizzas, sandwiches, and salads primarily.  They also sell large slices.  I was with my wife and extended family (who had been here before) and they ordered this behemoth called The Papa.  It was large enough that it occupied its own table next to us.  It was really good.  A great value at $27.99.  That and an order of breadsticks was enough for the eight of us.  
  
  Their tap beer selection is top notch.  A good variety of different types.  
  
  If in the area I'd recommend it for a good quality meal that is also affordable.  My family in KC raves about the place.

• Mary R.

  star star star star star_border 10 July 2026

  I came here with a group within the 9 o'clock hour on 8/16. Despite being the last customers to close up the restaurant we had good service. Family ordered the biggest pie on the menu (26" for $27.99) pepperoni and ground beef so I didn't really interact with the counter staff. The pizza occupied a whole booth and by our timing at the end of the day we were able to take up this extra table and pull other tables together. Our check-in on Yelp also got us a free order of breadsticks with our pizza order. The sauce accompanying the breadsticks was cold. I thought that was odd and would have preferred it to be warm. The pizza had good flavor and was not real crisp toward the middle, perhaps a fault of the pizza being so huge? Although I will say my brother-in-law heated up the pizza in the oven two days later and it was super good and crisped up real nice.
  
  They have the good ice! Love the crunchy pellets, I had water but the water lever on the beverage station was broke. I did get it to work for me, but my father-in-law couldn't get it to work. I also wish you had gift cards options online, knowing this is a place they like that I could order one for family.

• Nick V.

  star star star star star_border 5 July 2026

  Lunch special that included one slice of two topping pizza, side salad, and drink for $6.99 was great. Enjoyed it. Good size portion so left feeling just right.
  
  Came back today. Upped my rating to 4 star. Possibly the best lunch special in town. M-F only.

• Tom V.

  star star star star star_border 30 June 2026

  Papa Keno's started back in my college days (don't get out your Geiger counters to carbon-date me) with an old school pizza oven and some really sketch cable-access commercials that professed 'its a slice as big as your face!'.
  
  The same approach has been popular enough to propagate the number of locations from Lawrence to the Crossroads to this spot in old downtown OP. With a prime corner at 79th & Santa Fe, Keno's has plenty of seating inside and several tables along 79th (c'mon, spring!). The lunch special is usually a two-topping slice with a breadstick/marinara plus a drink for like $7 or so. The slice alone is gracious plenty, cooked in an oven, rotated for evenness, never on a conveyor. They're making pizza here, not churning out pies for delivery (though they do deliver). All of that is to say, you want an assembly line pizza, then it ain't coming from here.
  
  If I cheat Keno's a star, then it's for the consistency. Sometimes I will get a magic slice - my fave is the Kid Keno - and sometimes it will be good but not fabulous. Pro tip: try a bit of honey with which to dip your crust. A great way to finish the slice! Keno's makes damn good pizza, has plenty of other options, and has a pizzeria vibe to it. Add in great variety and you have plenty of winning options.

• Tina D.

  star star star star star_border 22 June 2026

  The papa kenos always yummy. Slices so big with a variety of choices. Salads and other items
  The beer selection is good. Variety of ciders and IPAs. I love this location. Fun and clean. Good for families or date night with friends. Outdoor seating in the heart of downtown OP. I've every slice. Not one has disappointed. I get the works! Cheesy goodness and ranch to dip it in. Video arcade games for playing inside. The slice is huge and worth it. The crust is crispy and thin but the pizza always is on point. Staff friendly and moves quick! Overall this is my go to location for slices!
  Order the Denver or works! Grab a beer and slice!