Take a Slice of That—the Best Pizza Joints in Phoenix!

This is, simply put, the best pizza place in Arizona, hands down. There are really no other places that compare to the authenticity of the recipes and the New York flavor that Joe’s offers its many happy and hungry patrons. Located in South Scottsdale next to the biggest nightclub in the state, Joe’s is open most nights until 4am. So what makes this place so special? I intend to tell you!

The place was opened about two years ago by the owner, Joe, who relocated here from New York to get away from the winter weather. This is not a large place, and seating inside only accommodates about ten people—which is why you will frequently see a very long line wrapping down the sidewalk as people await their turn to try the best pizza in the state. Joe’s has an authentic secret family recipe that dates back more than a 100 years—and it clearly shows in how damn good the slices are here.

They feature strictly New York City pizza; large, thin slices that you have to fold lest the toppings fall into your lap. Not too much cheese and no overabundance of sauce, plus just the right seasonings makes for an awesome pie. They do not deliver, but you can preorder pizza and wait your turn in line to get it.

I recommend the chicken ranch pizza (a Joe’s specialty), which will run you about $3 per slice, and trust me it is well worth it. While the location is very small and you do have to wait, excellent customer service, prices and of course mouth watering pizza are the rewards offered for patience. Rating based upon personal experience: * five stars, for the best damn pizza you will ever wrap your lips around; make sure to grab some napkins.

If you hear North Scottsdale calling your name and you are craving red sauce, cheese and plenty of dough, head to the epicenter of North Scottsdale, on Shea Blvd and Scottsdale Road, where you will find NYPD Pizza; the most popular pizza joint in North Scottsdale. This place is great fun.

The interior has been decorated to mimic a Time’s Square, New York feeling and they did a really great job designing the place, as it does feel like a bit of New York while you are there. They only make pizza here, chicken wings, salads and breadsticks—true the pizza bistro mission statement. The popularity of this place is massive, so be sure to call ahead and book a table, otherwise you may wait for quite a while.

They do not offer deep dish here, that is for Chicagoans they say—but if you are looking for deliciously thin, cheesy and saucy pizza, then you have found the winner at NYPD; they have great breadsticks too! Their prices are a bit on the high end, expect to pay about $20-25 per pie, but bring some friends and split the bill and it will not be so hard to stomach. Their beer selection is fairly decent and they offer pitchers, which will save thirsty groups much dough. Rating based upon personal experience: **** four stars for great food, awesome services, cleanliness and location; the prices could be a bit lower however.

If you find yourself milling about the hopping college town that is Tempe, AZ, then try and find a moment to drop in Slices Pizza, your mouth and stomach will thank me! Slices has been around for the better part of ten years, serving up some of the best pizza that Tempe has to offer.

You can order pies or by the slice, hence the name. They feature a Chicago style pizza that has a bit of a thicker, albeit buttered, crust than your typical pizza-like fair. Their main specialty is their Chicago deep dish pizza, which has made Slices world famous. Due to the popularity of this place in Tempe, do not try to eat there on the weekends unless you have made a reservation prior, otherwise you will wait a very long time to get seated.

Because this bistro is located on the very popular, store-lined central area that is commonly referred to as Mill, you will want to make sure that you find some decent free parking before dining here. Once inside a darkened and dimmed atmosphere greets you, but be wary of taking your date here—it is very loud inside on the weekends. The service is decent and their beer selection is okay.

The interior of the place is nothing special and could use some spicing up. However the main attraction here is their amazing pizza, available in any format that you want it be, and always Chicago-styled. Rating based upon personal experience: **** four stars for good service, great food, but bad location—hard to find parking and you wait to get in; also a very poor beer selection.

Gilbert has several great and authentic, very casual pizza joints for dining out. But if the mood calls for a hot and steamy delicious pie to be ordered-in, Jake’s should be the first number that you call. Their Gilbert location offers delivery only, but again—you will not eat a better delivered pizza in your life! Make sure that you check out their website and read their menu prior to ordering in from Jake’s, as they offer some pretty crazy concoctions in the realm of pizza.

From deep dish and deeper dish, to multilayered deep dish, to you name it. If it is strange and never done, they make it to please. You will pay a pretty buck to get your hands on some of the most famous and delicious pizza in the world—but hey it is Jake’s—good things like this cost money eh! Rating based upon personal experience: * five stars, although pricey for take out, it is the best delivery pizza that I have ever had, bar-none!

Other Great Pizza Joints: