Our Story

Pizza Ria Delphi first opened their doors in 1978. The original owners, Bill and Kiki Karagounis, moved to Alaska from a small town in Greece.
Together with Bill’s brother, Tony, they built a business based on honesty, bountiful portions and original recipes.

32 years into booming business, Bill and Kiki decided it was time to kick back and enjoy pizza from the beautiful coastline of Greece or in their cozy house near the High school — Anywhere that retirement might take them and their furry little pup!

In 2012 the Karagounis’ handed the pizza paddle over to John Christensen, a long time pizza slinger. Anyone who knows John knows he wears the name “Restaurant(s) Owner” with pride.

John was raised throwing hay bales in South Dakota with his parents and 5 younger siblings. At 15 he and his family moved to Scott Rd in Palmer, Alaska where he attend and graduated from Palmer High. (Go Palmer Moose!!)
During this time, John found himself and his best friends, Destry Harmon and Bob Muncy, eating at The Delphi frequently. Eventually, Bill’s brother, Tony, offered John a job. He figured he’s there enough, he might as well be working.
Bill and Tony obviously did a great job teaching John the ways of the pizza oven because he was able to turn a permanently farm-tanned, cowboy boot wearing, “I will milk your cow for a buck” type of kid into a the ideal successor for his more-than-successful restaurant business.

Over the years John’s three, now adult, children, Megan, Colton and Morgan, have joined in making it a true family business.

Nearly 45 years after The Delphi’s birth, there are now two thriving locations — One in Palmer and one in Wasilla. The Palmer location has recently had beautiful renovations and now includes complementary piano playing Thursday-Sundays.

John’s business goals are to one day hand the sauce ladle off to his children, continue to use the restaurant in a positive and active way in the community and to serve up smiles with every slice!

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Pizza Ria Delphi throughout the years! We wouldn’t be here without our amazing Valley community.