Pizza Classics shows Kyle is known for more than one type of pie

Billy Bonham started working at Pizza Classics as a delivery driver 17 years ago, right out of high school, and continued up the ranks until taking full ownership of the restaurant in 2011.

Because Kyle is his hometown and he attended school just a few blocks away, he said the restaurant, which opened in 1998, is a hometown spot he is proud to claim.

“We are the only locally owned, non-franchise or non-chain store,” he said. “We are an old-school, brick oven pizzeria. We make all of our dough fresh daily; we hand-shred our cheese; we make our sauce from scratch. ... Everything is as fresh as possible here,” Bonham said. “The clientele really come to us because we have that little extra something that the more corporate places don’t have.”

Even though Kyle is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas with a large commuter base, he said those who move away still come back for some of Pizza Classics’ pies. The restaurant also serves a variety of appetizers, sub sandwiches and calzones.

“We keep customers for a long time here, and I pride myself on that. So coming up on 10 years of sole ownership, I think back on the slow times and the hard times and the long hours and just being able to see those people who’ve grown with us,” he said.

When the pandemic hit, Bonham said his business thrived a bit as the restaurant was already set up for pickup and delivery.

“The community support has been what’s gotten us through [the pandemic]. We’re a little bit off the beaten path in Kyle, so you really have to know we’re here,” Bonham said.

Being a locally owned and -operated business, he said he appreciates customers spreading the word about Pizza Classics.

“It reminds you why you’re in [the industry], when you make people happy and provide that comfort for them,” Bonham said.