Editor’s Note: 09/18/2016
Sadly, Pizzeria Bianco Tucson has closed. You will have to go to Phoenix now.
I have known audiophiles. I have known Francophiles. And now, after reviewing 13 pizzerias for our Top 10 List, I know a few people who self-identify as “pizzaphiles”: those who love pizza. Apparently, Chris Bianco is one. And there are those who love Chris Bianco’s pizzas. I suppose one could call them “Biancophiles”. I have not yet met Chris Bianco, but his reputation precedes him.
In 2003, Mr. Bianco acquired a national reputation when he won a James Beard Award for best regional chef — never before has a pizza chef earned such a prestigious honor. That same year, baking master Peter Reinhart authored “American Pie: My Search for the Perfect Pizza,” in which he nominated Bianco’s for the best pizza in America. The New York Times concurred. However, Vogue took it one step further, proclaiming Bianco’s the best pizza in the world. REALLY???
Bon Appétit, Food & Wine and USA Today have all sung the praises of Chris Bianco’s pizzas. As have celebrities, such as Jimmy Kimmel, Diane Sawyer, Oprah Winfrey, and Foodie-In-Chief William Jefferson Clinton.
And now, we humble Tucsonans can enjoy a world-famous Chris Bianco pizza in Arizona’s newest boomtown, Downtown Tucson.
Thus, the quest for the Best Pizza In Tucson nears its conclusion as Ms. Karen, Ms. Rosemary, Neighbor Roy & I trek into the heart of Downtown Tucson on a Thursday evening to sample a World-Class Pizza … if we can get a table.
We were lucky. It was only 5:30 PM, but Pizzeria Bianco had only one table for us. It wasn’t even dinnertime and the place was packed … mid-week! And no, Bianco’s does not take reservations. Why should they? As we were leaving an hour later, there was a line out the door and down the sidewalk.
Those of us who are long-time Tucsonans felt a certain sense of pride as we walked to our car after a fine pizza dinner and witnessed the horde of people shopping, dining, and generally having a pleasant evening. Crowds such as this would have been almost unimaginable only 5 years ago. Downtown Tucson hasn’t bustled like this in nearly 50 years when Downtown residents moved in mass to the suburbs and retail merchants, such as Steinfeld’s Department Store, quickly followed.
Once seated, we were soon greeted by Pizzeria Bianco manager, Stallone, who answered our many questions and made some useful suggestions, starting with pizza selection. Once we had decided on the types of pizza we wanted, Stallone suggested a wine that would pair well.
Karen & Rosemary ordered a Sonny Boy: Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Salami & Olives ($18). Stallone explained that Bianco’s salami is more like pepperoni, only better. He said the olives were similar to Kalamata olives only saltier. Karen also ordered a Salad: Local Organic Greens with Red Wine Vinaigrette ($6). She later said it was boring and that she should have ordered their Handmade Mozzarella Salad with Local Tomato & Basil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($9).
Roy & I ordered half Salami (think Pepperoni), half Fennel Sausage & Wood Roasted Mushrooms ($27). Once Stallone knew which pizzas we ordered, he made his recommendation for a proper red wine: Dos Cabezas Àguileòn 2011 ($44). All of the Cabezas Wineworks’ Àguileòn grapes came from their Cimarron Vineyards near Willcox.
Once our orders were placed, we had time to check out the interior. It’s very much like other new Downtown restaurants.
Mr. Bianco retained much of this old brick building; high, open-beam ceiling, exposed brick & ductworks, but added big front windows allowing diners to view the action on sidewalk along Congress Street. He also installed an old-fashioned bar and, of course, a very large custom wood-fired oven.
Also, like the other new restaurants Downtown, Bianco’s is very noisy, but not as noisy as Reilly’s Craft Pizza on Pennington.
I chatted briefly with the chef baking the pizzas. He told me that the oven temperature was about 800 degrees and he baked the pizza for only 4 minutes.
Even though the place was busy, our pizzas were delivered to our table within 15 minutes.
They looked great and smelled even better. The crusts were thin and slightly crispy, but nothing out of the ordinary. However, the mozzarella and all the various toppings were exceptional.
But were these the best pizzas in TUCSON … AMERICA … THE WORLD? Well, we four cannot comment on America or the known world, but we can say with confidence, Bianco’s pizza is one of the best in Tucson. Bianco Pizzeria will rank very high on our Top 10 List. It just did not have an extensive menu as did Tavolino Ristorante Italiano, North Italia, & Scordato Pizzeria.
Two additional notes. The wine Stallone recommended, the Dos Cabezas Àguileòn, was a perfect choice. As good as the pizza was, it was even more enjoyable with this pairing. Grazie, Senor!
Also, we shared a pear tart ($7) afterword that was a splendid finish to an otherwise excellent pizza dinner. The only other pizzeria that I have experienced for our “Best Of” list that offered as good a dessert is Grimaldi’s Pizzeria on Campbell just south of Speedway.
Pizzeria Bianco
272 E. Congress
Tucson, AZ — 85701
520.838.0818
For Dining reviews of the Best Dining in Southern Arizona by Cuisine visit us here.
For an Alphabetical list of Dining reviews of the visit us here.
