Cranky Hanks Pizza Bank — Restaurant in Shellsburg

I could not wait to get home to leave a review!

This is such a hidden gem that I can't believe it was my first time dining there tonight!

The moment we walked in we were greeted by Keith who is so jovial that his presence makes you feel right at home.

Our server was extremely knowledgeable and attentive. We wanted for nothing the entire time we were there. She had great recommendations from the menu. The way the serving staff and the owner interact shows me that he has a lot of respect for his employees and they do for him as well. You don't always find that in restaurants.

Now for the food.... the cheese bread alone told me what kind of experience I was going to have with my pizza. it is a perfectly hand-tossed dough that is neither too thin that it crumbles or too thick that it is still doughy. The cheese is so melty and gently pulls apart showing me that they use a quality product. The marinara alone was impressive as it didn't taste like just tomato sauce and had the perfect level of seasoning and spice without being too overpowering.

These are all great bases for a perfect Pizza as you know. The owner was nice enough to suggest that we could do our pizza a little differently than normal since they were a little slower. We did half Love of Greece and a quarter taco and a quarter sausage mushroom. This pizza was cooked to perfection despite having three different types on it! The meat to topping ratio was spot on!

I literally felt like I was having an orgasm of flavor in my mouth!!!!!

They also offer a locally made cheesecake which is the perfect amount of decadence without being too much after such an amazing meal!

The only downside I could find and it isn't much of one is that they are only open two nights a week. I would much rather go back several nights a week because once you've had their pizza you'll want it everyday!!

I am happy to report that they gained a new regular and I will be happy to send anyone there for pizza.

It was well worth the short drive from Cedar Rapids for the quality of pizza and service...

Cranky Hank’s Pizza Bank offers a dining experience that beautifully blends nostalgia with culinary delight.

Our meal began with the Wisconsin White Cheddar Cheese Curds, fried to perfection with a crispy, seasoned breading encasing gooey cheese that kept us reaching for more until the basket was regrettably empty.

The Jalapeño Mac & Cheese Bites featured a delicate, crispy exterior and a creamy interior with a pleasant kick from the jalapeños. Paired with a Thai sweet chili sauce, they offered a surprising and delightful combination.

The Garlic Chicken Pizza, with its simple yet flavorful ingredients, stood out. The impressive cheese pull and crust reminiscent of garlic bread elevated the experience.

The Silent Alarm Pizza delivered the perfect amount of spice, thanks to a generous helping of jalapeños, complemented by cream cheese, bacon, and crumbled sausage. The harmonious blend of smokey flavors and creaminess was fantastic.

For dessert, the Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake was exceptional, ranking among the best we’ve ever had. It was so delightful that I’ve decided to forgo a traditional birthday cake in favor of ordering this cheesecake for my upcoming 34th - I can hardly wait!

As someone who grew up in a family-owned pizzeria, Cranky Hank’s evoked a much-appreciated sense of nostalgia. The inviting ambiance, with its delightful sights and aromas, combined with a restaurant full of happy patrons enjoying lovingly prepared food, made our family’s first visit truly memorable.

The friendly and knowledgeable staff, prompt service, and the owner’s kindness and appreciation for our feedback further enhanced our experience.

Highlights of our visit included the generous toppings, excellent crust, wonderful service, fantastic cheesecake, and the nostalgic atmosphere.

One suggestion for improvement would be to offer a homemade ranch dressing, which would perfectly complement the top-rate pizzas.

We look forward to returning to Cranky Hank’s Pizza Bank and highly recommend it to others seeking a delightful...

I had the absolute PLEASURE of experiencing Cranky Hank's Pizza Bank in Shellsburg tonight. Let me tell ya, this place has it all! We started off with the fried cauliflower appetizer. It was perfectly seasoned with a deliciously crispy breading and tender but not mushy cauliflower. So good. Next, we ordered the kitchen sink pizza minus the kraut and jalapenos. Listen, we are pizza people. Friday night pizza has been a treasured tradition in my family for many years and we are always on the hunt for the best pizza around. Well, we found it! The crust is the perfect balance of crispy and pillowy with just the right amount of chew. The toppings are plentiful and perfectly cooked. Just the right sauce to cheese ratio. This is a heavy pie but somehow they manage to keep that bottom crust nice and crispy (no soggy bottoms here!) They use a fantastic crumbled sausage too that really puts it over the top. While we devoured our pizza the owner stopped by our table to make sure we were enjoying our visit. What a class act! Very nice guy with some great stories. He is one of those people that just radiates good energy, who you know could have a great coversation with anyone. He really makes you feel valued as a customer! He brought us out a taste test of key lime cheesecake. Im a cheesecake girlie who also cooks and bakes for a living and believe me when I say, this cheesecake, is HANDS DOWN the best cheesecake I have ever had. The keylime was wonderful and then I got a full piece of the blueberry to take home. It was magical. I may have had an out of body experience for a minute there. I will be dreaming about this cheesecake until my next visit. You guys MUST check...