Spankey’s Una Pizza is a locally owned pizzeria in Evansville, Indiana, known for its thin, cracker-style Una pizza, strombolis, specialty pizzas, and other casual Italian-American fare. The restaurant was founded by Lisa and Ryan Huck and opened on Evansville’s West Side in 2011.
The original Spankey’s is located at 4404 W. Lloyd Expressway on Evansville’s West Side. A second concept, Spankey’s Una Cafe, opened in the Haynie’s Corner Arts District in January 2024.
History
Spankey’s Una Pizza grew out of plans Lisa and Ryan Huck began developing in 2011. Lisa initially contacted the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center while considering the purchase of an existing restaurant. After receiving guidance and conducting additional research, the family instead decided to open a restaurant of their own.
The business opened on Evansville’s West Side in 2011, specializing in the thin, crisp style of pizza commonly known locally as Una pizza.
The name Spankey’s came from the Huck family’s Boston terrier, Spankey.
The restaurant experienced significant demand during its first year. By August 2012, the Huck family reported that Spankey’s had sold nearly 10,000 pizzas and employed nine people.
Una Pizza
Spankey’s is part of Evansville’s long-standing tradition of Una-style pizza, a regional style generally characterized by an extremely thin, crisp or cracker-like crust.
Spankey’s pizzas use the thin crust as a base for traditional and specialty combinations. The restaurant offers pizzas ranging from personal-sized 8-inch pies to 20-inch pizzas.
Among its specialty pizzas are the Spankey’s Supreme, Westsider, Greek, Dreamer, Boss, and TMNT. The Westsider is an all-meat pizza featuring Italian sausage, beef, pepperoni, ham, Canadian bacon, and bacon.
The restaurant also serves strombolis, breadsticks, sandwiches, wings, salads, desserts, and other items, with vegan and gluten-free options also appearing on its menu.
Haynie’s Corner Location
After more than a decade operating on the West Side, Spankey’s expanded to the Haynie’s Corner Arts District.
Spankey’s Una Cafe opened in January 2024 at 15 Jefferson Avenue in the Golden Goose building. The project was a collaboration between Ryan Huck and developers Nathan and Noelle Mominee.
The second location expanded on the original restaurant concept by combining Spankey’s pizza menu with a cafe and bar. The location serves coffee drinks and other cafe offerings in addition to pizza, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
The interior also reflects its Haynie’s Corner setting, including geometric murals created by Evansville artist Christina Zimmer Robinson.
Locations
Spankey’s operates two Evansville locations:
Spankey’s Una Pizza – West Side
4404 W. Lloyd Expressway
Evansville, Indiana 47712
Spankey’s Una Cafe – Haynie’s Corner
15 Jefferson Avenue
Evansville, Indiana 47713
Local Significance
Spankey’s is one of several Evansville-area restaurants associated with the city’s distinctive thin-crust Una pizza tradition. Beginning as a single West Side restaurant in 2011, the business developed a local following before expanding into Haynie’s Corner more than a decade later.
Its history also reflects two recognizable parts of Evansville’s restaurant culture: the city’s tradition of independent neighborhood pizza shops and the redevelopment of Haynie’s Corner as a dining, arts, and entertainment district.