Did You Know ‘Shakey’s Pizza’ Still Exists?

If you're anything like me, you'll never say no to a tasty slice of pizza. I could eat pizza 7-days a week, and twice on Sunday's, I love that much!

Throughout the years the city of Sioux Falls has certainly experienced a number of delicious pizza places. Undoubtedly you remember pizza joints like, Valentino's, Old Chicago, Happy Joe's, Earl's Pizza, Charlie's Pizza, Taste of the Big Apple, Sbarro, Pizza Inn, CiCi's Pizza, the list goes on, and on!

But, if I had to pick a favorite pizza place while growing up here in Sioux Falls during the 1970s I think it would have to be Shakey's Pizza Parlor at 49th and Western Avenue.

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If you've lived in Sioux Falls most of your life, you've gotta remember Shakey's, right?

They had awesome pizza, chicken and those mojo potatoes that were as addictive as crack cocaine.

Shakey's Pizza opened its first Sioux Falls location in May of 1970 right near the Western Mall. I can remember it vividly as a kid. Many a birthday party celebration was held at Shakey's.

They had that little window where you could watch your pizza being made, and the restaurant was divided into multiple sections from what I remember.

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There was a dining area for adults and families, and then a section for teenagers.

Back in those days, South Dakota had two types of beer licenses. There was High Point, and 3.2. High Point was served to those over the age of 21, while 3.2 brew was on tap for teenagers between the ages of 18 and 21.

If memory serves me right, Shakey's served both. Probably one of the reasons they had the dinning room area separated into two sections. So the two crowds wouldn't annoy each other.

I remember Shakey's being somewhat of a musical place. I believe they had a piano playing gorilla. I also remember old-time movies being shown in the restaurant on occasion.

Shakey's opened a second Sioux Falls location on East 10th for a brief period. It didn't last long, maybe a couple of years tops. It never did the type of business the westside location did.

The original Sioux Falls location at 49th and Western Avenue, remained open into the 1980s.

Oddly enough, Shakey's Pizza still exists.

Who knew! It looks like there are a few locations still open in California, and Washington.

Who's up for a road trip? All this talk about Shakey's has me jonesing for those Mojo Potatoes again!