No More Happy Joe’s Pizza in the Corridor

Like the loss of a loved one, this is going to take some time to process. Happy Joe's, a pizza franchise that I visited when I was a child, that I took MY children to, no longer has a location here in the Corridor. No more Taco Joe pizza. How did it come to this?

When Did the Last Corridor Happy Joe's Close?

The Corridor Business Journal reports that the Happy Joe's location at 3315 Williams Blvd. SW in Cedar Rapids closed back on September 1st.

It was the latest Happy Joe's location to close in the Corridor. The restaurant at 5070 Lindale Drive closed in 2021, and the location at 1950 Blairs Ferry Road in Hiawatha shut down in August 2024, according to the CBJ.

When Was Happy Joe's Pizza Founded?

The CBJ reports that the franchise got its start in 1972 under Lawrence 'Happy Joe' Whitty. His goal was to create a family-friendly restaurant chain focused on two foods, pizza and ice cream. It is most famous for its renowned Taco Pizza. I've been devouring them since I was a kid.

Happy Joe's was purchased in 2017 by Dynamic Restaurant Holdings Inc. The company is still headquartered in Davenport.

Are There Still Happy Joe's Locations in Iowa?

Fortunately, yes. While none remain here in the Corridor, you can still find Happy Joe's locations in cities like Cascade, DeWitt, Dubuque, Dyersville, and Maquoketa. How far are you willing to travel for the best taco pizza ever?

READ MORE: Eastern Iowa Home to One of Nation's Best Pizza Spots

I'll admit that in recent years, the prices at Happy Joe's had gotten pretty steep. They were no longer a regular occurrence, but more of a special treat. But that doesn't mean I don't miss opening that Happy Joe's pizza box and seeing a Taco Supreme pizza staring back at me.

I'll miss you, Happy Joe.