Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor, a Midwest chain known for arcade games, ice cream and novelty pizzas, opened its first Arizona location in Oro Valley, bringing a 50-year-old family dining concept to the Tucson area.

The restaurant, located at 11695 N. Oracle Road, held its grand opening March 27, with families stopping by to enjoy a slice of pizza and check out the new space, which includes video games, an ice cream parlor and a golf simulator.

The brand aims to create a playful atmosphere, CEO, President and "Chief Happiness Officer" Tom Sacco said, pointing to the restaurant's unique menu items like birthday cake pizza as evidence of that philosophy.

"We don't compete with a traditional pizza restaurant, because we are more unique with what we put out," Sacco said. "My mission is to create magical memories for children."

Seasonal menu offerings include a Thanksgiving pizza during the holidays, with Sacco saying his personal favorite is the taco supreme pizza, which is available year-round.

Each location offers a pizza unique to its region. In Arizona, that means a chorizo pizza.

"We try to be really innovative when it comes to food," Sacco said.

Founded in 1972 by Iowa native Joe Whitty, Happy Joe's has grown to 35 locations across the United States and internationally, with a mission that Sacco said remains unchanged.

"Children all over the world deserve to be happy. We are putting (our restaurant) where the children are, not like downtown," he said. "We want to put it where there are families."

The restaurant hosts birthday parties for kids while a small train circles overhead, and according to Sacco, also holds Christmas parties for children with special needs. Happy Joe's also hires people with special needs and runs a monthly charity program, with past beneficiaries including Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

"We try to make it special for all the children, because every child is special," Sacco said. "That's the way we look at our business, we sell great pizza but we try to create magical memories for children. For a birthday party or after soccer practice or a piano recital, hopefully they'll celebrate at Happy Joe's."

Sacco spoke about a woman who waited outside the restaurant in a lawn chair in the hours before the grand opening, saying she wanted to be the first customer at the Arizona location.

She told Sacco the chain held nostalgic childhood memories for her.

"It doesn't matter if you're a grandparent, parent or a child," he said. "If you've been to Happy Joe's, it creates memories that last a lifetime."

Happy Joe's in Oro Valley offers carry-out, delivery and dine-in options.

Emma Diaz is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist based in Tucson.

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