Eight Best Neighborhood Pizzerias in Greater Phoenix: Best of Phoenix 2012

By Phoenix New Times Staff Fri., Nov. 23 2012 at 9:00 AM

Categories: Best of Phoenix 2012

nellos-pizza-and-italian-restaurant-sara-dalton-bop-2012.jpg

Photo by Sara Dalton

Nello's Pizza and Italian Restuarant

We've spent the last year in the laboratory putting Phoenix under the microscope to reveal hundreds of specimens of the best culture, outdoor adventures, shopping, dining, and nightlife the city has to offer. And we're finally ready to publish our results. Nerd alert! Now presenting Scientific Phoenix.

Pizza is now a vegetable, so eat up with glee. Here in Phoenix we have more than our fair share of top-notch pizza joints, at least one of which (Pizzeria Bianco for those that didn't pick up on the hint) has garnered national recognition. In honor of the doughy creation, here's our list to the best neighborhood pizza around greater Phoenix.

Best Neighborhood Pizza, Southeast Valley: Nello's Pizza & Italian Restaurant

In the Valley for more than 25 years, this neighborhood favorite is not only owned and operated by one of the original founders of the Nello's brand (with four locations in the Valley), its pizza dough is still made by the folks from the original joint. The motto "In crust we trust" makes sense with selections like the original pan-style (don't call it deep dish) along with thin, white, and wheat options. Read the full Best of Phoenix 2012 entry and download the app.

Best Neighborhood Pizza, Downtown Phoenix: Cibo Urban Wine Cafe & Pizzeria

Pronounced CHEE-bo ("food" in Italian), this cozy eatery in a restored 1913 bungalow in the Roosevelt Historic District stars Tuscan pizzaiolo Guido Saccone working pizza magic at the wood-burning oven. The 12-inch pies are works of art, with a hand-tossed thin crust that's equal amounts of crunchy and chewy and topped with an extra drizzle of virgin olive oil before adding locally grown organic produce and premium Italian-imported ingredients. Read the full Best of Phoenix 2012 entry and download the app.

Best Neighborhood Pizza, North Phoenix: Isa's Pizza

Joe and Myrah Aiello opened their counter-service pizza joint next to their Italian deli in April, and the cheery little spot landed on the go-to list of North Phoenix residents in a hurry. Serving up New York-style (thin with a crispy crust) or Sicilian-style (thick with a bread-y crust) creations for eat-in or to-go and using top-notch ingredients like tangy, housemade red sauce, high-grade mozzarella cheese, and imported pepperoni, pizza fans can order up their favorites by the slice or the whole pie. Read the full Best of Phoenix 2012 entry and download the app.

Best Neighborhood Pizza, South Phoenix: Amano Pizza Bistro

In an area of Phoenix not necessarily known for handcrafted Italian food, this charming little neighborhood spot fits the very definition of a diamond in the rough. Since 2004, Eric and Kathy Bower have turned their little corner of the South Mountain area into a true go-to for residents of the area seeking top-notch pizzas. These hand-tossed pies cover the basics quite well -- a crisp, chewy crust being a fine starting point. Read the full Best of Phoenix 2012 entry and download the app.