Though Valentino’s is new to Overland Park, it’s certainly not new to everyone there.
That became apparent when the Nebraska-based pizzeria announced its first Johnson County franchise a couple of months ago, and Nebraska natives in the county chimed in with excitement.
Now, in the restaurant’s first couple of weeks open, its franchise owners have noticed that excitement again, overhearing customers excitedly sharing stories about Valentino’s with one another while they wait in line for pizza.
One customer called it a “slice of Nebraska” as she left the restaurant after lunch on Monday.
“It’s really been a pretty overwhelming response,” said co-owner Travis Sorensen at the restaurant this week.
The pizzeria opened its new Overland Park restaurant in February — which could be the beginning of more expansion in the metro area.
Valentino’s opened at 8909 W. 135th St.
- The pizzeria opened in a space just off 135th Street and Antioch Road, near frozen yogurt shop Fifth & Emery and chicken eatery Slim Chickens.
- Tex-Mex restaurant Fajita Pete’s occupied that space for roughly four years before it closed in late summer 2024.
- Valentino’s is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Valentino’s serves pizzas, pasta and more
Though the Overland Park restaurant does have a small dine-in area, it’s primarily equipped for carryout, catering and delivery.
Customers at Valentino’s can either build a pizza with toppings of their choice, or choose from the restaurant’s existing “signature” pizzas (like Hawaiian, bacon cheeseburger, and “deluxe” pepperoni).
In addition to pizza, Valentino’s also offers pasta dishes like spaghetti, lasagna, and baked manicotti, as well as other items like salads, garlic rolls and cheese rolls.
The restaurant also offers a daily “express” lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., during which customers can pick up ready-made pizza by the slice, a salad from the restaurant’s salad bar and other items like breadsticks and lasagna.
Customers can also purchase frozen pizzas and pastas, as well as the restaurant’s pizza sauce by the jar.
“Valentino’s has always been known for its sauce,” Sorensen said. “It’s got a little bit of a sweeter profile.”
This marks the first Valentino’s in Johnson County
Founders Val and Zena Weiler opened Valentino’s in Nebraska nearly seven decades ago, before going on to expand with more locations in the 1970s.
Now a Nebraska staple, the company has several locations across its home state as well as another in South Dakota. Its pizza is also sold at University of Nebraska football games by the slice.
Co-owner Travis Sorensen, who has worked with Valentino’s for more than two decades, took the plunge on Kansas City with co-owner Mike Yeggy (who also owns Leawood-based Peak Equities), and their wives, Crystal Yeggy and Kim Sorensen.
Since opening in Overland Park, the owners said it’s become clear that there could definitely be demand in other parts of Johnson County. Olathe and Lenexa come to mind, Mike Yeggy said — though nothing is currently set in stone for expansion yet.
To Mike Yeggy, Valentino’s is ultimately where convenience meets quality.
“The quality of the pizza is what always stood out to me,” he said. “Being able to bring that into this market, to compete against some of the standard, big pizza restaurants — I just think it’s a similar price for better pizza.”
It’s not just the food itself to Crystal Yeggy, though, that’s exciting. It’s the excitement among the people who are eating it, and how far back its history goes.
“I think it’s just the nostalgicness of it — and that community feel, when people are coming in and out, and everyone’s talking,” she said. “(Whether they’re) talking in line or sitting down, everyone just kind of becomes friends.”
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