The Papalinos Pizzaria that has been on Baxter Avenue since 2010 has closed as of today. According to this post on their Facebook page, Papalinos is “Seeking New Ground In the Highlands.”
The statement also says the site at 947 Baxter Avenue is “not the best for our new format in line with our new Italian pub concept.” Papalinos’ second location, in Springhurst, has more to offer than the Baxter Avenue location: a full bar, Italian wines, a larger menu that includes more than just pizza. It’s a slightly more upscale concept, and perhaps one that has proven more profitable than a mere pizzeria.
Another Mellow Mushroom, the chain’s third location in Louisville, is set to open at 1023/1025 Bardstown Road soon, just a few minutes from Papalinos’ now defunct Baxter Avenue location. Also clustered on Baxter Avenue are Wick’s Pizza (975 Baxter Avenue), DiOrio’s Pizza & Pub (919 Baxter Avenue) , and Spinelli’s Pizzeria (614 Baxter Avenue). It will be interesting to see how the remaining (local) pizza places on Baxter deal with the incoming (national) competition.
Papalinos was voted the best pizza in Louisville by Louisville Magazine readers in the Best of Louisville Awards for 2014, and the LEO Reader’s Choice Award for best pizza for 2011, 2012, and 2013.
