Pizza and ice cream. Nothing might be more magical to a child’s ears than those two words. The magic doesn’t lose any of its luster into adulthood (even if the waistline doesn’t fully appreciate it). Going out for a slice of pizza and a cone of ice cream might be the closest to happiness anyone can experience (outside of sitting in a field full of puppies). Around Tucson, there are several pizza and ice cream restaurants, but a classic combination restaurant has announced it is finally making the move to open a location right in the Old Pueblo.
Since 1972, Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream has been serving communities with both pizza and ice cream. The original Joe Whitty first opened a small drive-through in North Dakota back in the 50s. He eventually took a job at a bakery where he learned more tools of the trade. Finally, nearly 20 years after he started in the food business, he launched Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream.
The brand started in North Dakota. It eventually spread to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa (though skipping South Dakota). There is also currently a location in the Florida panhandle, and, of all places, a half-dozen around Cairo, Egypt. The brand has remained mostly a Midwestern restaurant brand, though it has recently eyed a western expansion. This includes one in Texas and two right here in Arizona.