First, my qualifications: - 100% Italian & dual citizen - Been a restaurant promoter and consultant for 20+ years in NYC - Would have a degree in pizza-ology, if there were such a thing The most important criteria for these selections are quality of ingredients and the resulting product. Ambiance and cost are secondary. 1. 'POMO PIZZA NAPOLETANA, Scottsdale 2. PIAZZA AL FORNO, Glendale 3. THE PARLOR, Phoenix 4. VINCITORIO, Tempe 5. PIZZERIA BIANCO, Phoenix I realize there's always debate about the "best" pizza. The bottom line is: whatever pleases your palate is the "best." The above are based on my personal and professional opinion.
Never heard of any of them but thanks for the new ideas! Just had a deep dish in chicago last week and man that was good!
It is said that Chicago "deep dish" pizza was "invented" by Ike Sewell, who opened Pizzeria Uno in Chicago in 1943. Not only was he not Italian, but his "invention" was basically a twist on what Southern Italians call a calzone. I believe Pizzeria Uno declared bankruptcy last year. Pizza can be found on seven continents, but has sadly been widely corrupted (To be sure, somewhere in the world someone's making a banana pizza). Thankfully, an organization known as "Verace Pizza Napoletana" (VPN) was established in Italy in order to promote and maintain proper pizza standards worldwide. Some call VPN "the pizza police." Only one Valley pizzeria is approved by them, and it's 'Pomo.
I love pizza and have never heard of the top 4. I can't wait to try the top place. Do all your recomrndations serve individual size thin pizzas?
Yes indeed. 'Pomo is the closest I've tasted to a truly authentic pizza Neapolitan pizza. If you go, say hello to Stefano, the owner.
Wow. I will have to try the top 4 since Bianco is consistently mentioned as some of the best in the country.
I've heard of 'Pomo & Pizzeria Bianco (I believe they were on a Food Network show), never been to either.
The best Pizza in the Valley is, without a doubt, Grazie in Old Town Scottsdale, on Main St, just west of Goldwater. Pomo is a terrific Neapolitan Pizza place and Cibo downtown on 5th Ave is just perfect - tasty pizza in an old house that is just a great place to hang. Bianco is the most overrated place in town. Mediocre pizza and inflated egos and attitude. Keep it. it's yours. Even ho-hum places like Tommy Vee's (32nd and Cameback) are much better. For non Italian style pizza, Humble Pie in the Hilton Village center on Scottsdale road, is really nice
Yes, thanks for mentioning Cibo--it definitely belongs in the top five! With Grazie, I'm not so sure. Maurizio is a talented restaurateur. But I've been there many times and have found some inconsistencies and possible quality-control issues with the pizza.
The 'attitude' at Bianco destroys anything that might be good to eat there (think soup nazi). Their home made mozzarella is excellent, as is there sauce and crust, but there is nothing there worth waiting in line for hours for.
Exactly. This is the Pizza Nazi for sure. Bianco was good when it was in the Town & Country center 15 years ago
Grazie is really a favorite spot for me over the past several years. The pizza has always been consistent and I lean to his Vesuvio Calzone/Pizza hybrid which is a real taste treat. The best thing on the menu however is the Dolce de la Casa, a Calzone filled with Nutella and bananas, topped with vanilla ice cream. Remember to ask them to slice the bananas and also ask for a spoon. The Nutella swirled into melted ice cream is as close to heaven as you can get without dying. Another plus for the men is that Maurizio knows how to hire stunningly gorgeous waitresses.
Hmmm. I may have to check this place out. Strictly for the pizza, of course. BTW: I agree with the list. Love Pomo. Humble Pie is also a consistently good pie, in my epxerience.
I've only been to one, but have heard of most of these. The one I went to was Bianco and I actually had a great time. The restaurant and food were good, but the experience itself was actually great for me. Waited in line for like fifteen minutes, got a reservation, then went next door, sat back on a couch with my date and had a few beers over a couple hours while listening to good music. Can't complain about that.
Anyone been to Parlor Pizzeria? http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/%27food-network%27-names-parlor-pizzeria-%27best-pizza%27-in-arizona
http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/dining/articles/2010/05/10/20100510top-10-pizza-italian-restaurants-phoenix-scottsdale.html?page=1
