When Jason Halkias dug into a slice at the Pizza Ranch restaurant in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Tuesday, he was able to mark off the 224th — and last — location on his list.
Iowa man completes decadelong quest to visit every Pizza Ranch
Jason Halkias’ stop in Sioux Center, Iowa, is his 224th.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
October 30, 2024 at 3:00PM
“The quest is complete,” Halkias said Tuesday night.
Halkias, a 38-year-old resident of Davenport, Iowa, began visiting Pizza Ranch restaurants as a hobby in 2014. He said he started visiting different locations while dating a woman who was a fan of the pizza chain. After the relationship ended, he said he wanted to keep visiting Pizza Ranches.
Halkias, a custodian at a YMCA, self-funds his trips and said he does not receive money from the Orange City, Iowa-based restaurant chain. Megan Lovin, a spokeswoman for Pizza Ranch, confirmed in September that Halkias is paying his own way.
His pizza pilgrimage has brought Halkias all over America, including to all 44 locations in Minnesota. On his trips, he often takes detours to see the sights on the way, such as the remnants of the Oregon Trail in Wyoming.
On a recent “swing” to visit a Pizza Ranch in Tennessee, he visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, he said.
At home, Halkias has a closet overflowing with gifts from all the pizzerias he’s visited: hats, hoodies, a squishy football.
On Tuesday, the restaurant in Sioux Center gave Halkias a plaque recognizing his dedication.
“Happy to have him stop by and eat his final meal with us over this noon hour!” a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page said.
Halkias said he was relieved to have finished his quest, but said he was ready to visit new Pizza Ranches.
“Can’t wait to see what new locations will open going forward,” he said.
Small town has won handfuls of state titles with lots of parent involvement, some versatile coaches.
