About Our Pizzeria

About our founder Alex M Failoni Jr. | 03/24/61 – 11/12/21

Alex co-owned and operated Failoni’s in Dogtown for 32 years. In 2013, Alex went to his Uncle Leo in Kansas City, learned his secret homemade pizza recipe and the rest is history. Because of its immediate success at Failonis, Alex and his fellow owners decided they wanted to share this “little bit of heaven” with all of South County, as well. And so Uncle Leo’s Pizza was born. And thanks to Alex’s nephews, owners Joey and Johnny Meiners, the legacy continues on into the future. Uncle Leo’s is set to remain a staple in the St Louis community for many years to come.

Sadly, Alex lost a hard-fought battle with cancer on November 12, 2021. We can’t even express with words what kind of loss this is for the Leo’s and Failoni families. But as he taught us, we will continue to serve.

Meet owner John Meiners. Son of Joe and Rosetta Failoni Meiners. Brother of Joey Meiners nephew of Alex Failoni Jr. Another 4th generation Failoni grandson in the family business. After Johnny graduated from CBC he spent summers and weekends in the kitchen at Failoni’s restaurant on Manchester. Then moved over to manage Uncle Leo’s and took on all responsibility, whether it’s making dough, or putting croutons on salad. Johnny knows this business forward and backward. Johnny has always thrived on a challenge. He’s always been up for the task of hard work and that is why Uncle Alex chose to make his nephew Johnny Meiners an owner/partner in the business to carry on the Failoni legacy for many more generations to come.

Meet owner Joey Meiners. Joey is a Failoni grandson and 4th generation at Failoni’s Restaurant and Bar. He began in the family business perfecting Uncle Leo’s secret pizza recipe at Failoni’s in 2009, after graduating with a Business Management degree from Rockhurst University in Kansas City. He has been an asset in managing the restaurant and bar and even some singing entertainment on Friday nights.  He decided to expand and share Failoni’s pizza in South County at Uncle Leo’s with Alex, where they became partners in 2014. He is now co-owner with his Uncle Victor at Failoni’s.