Alex's Pizza Palace: A Rolla Tradition

Alex's Pizza Palace, located in the heart of Rolla, Missouri, has been a culinary landmark since its founding in November 1964 by Alex Kallas and his wife, Froso. Inspired by the welcoming community, the Kallas' aimed to create a restaurant that felt like home. For decades, Alex's has been more than just a pizza place; it's a tradition, a spot filled with memories, and a piece of Rolla's history. Located on 8th Street, across from what was once the Edwin Long Hotel, Alex's quickly became a favorite haunt for students from the nearby Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly UMR). It was a place to meet friends, refuel after long school days, and gather with family in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Even now, alumni returning to Rolla often make a pilgrimage to Alex's, sharing stories of their time spent there. In 1987, Ellie and Lazos Makridis, who had worked alongside Alex for many years, took over the restaurant, continuing the tradition of quality and commitment. They expanded the establishment, adding a large dining room and modernizing the kitchen, but the original recipes for the pizza dough and sauce remained unchanged, ensuring the same great taste that customers had loved for decades. Today, Mike Samaras helps run the daily operations for the Makridis family. Alex's Pizza Palace is known for its Greek-style pizza, featuring a light, thin crust and generous toppings, including large chunks of sausage. The menu also offers gyros, calzones, gourmet pizzas, and Greek specialties like spanakopita. The restaurant prides itself on using fresh ingredients and making its dough and sauce from scratch daily.