
Rob in pizza Heaven. Ok, as hopefully, you read last week, Jodie and I have been visiting dear friends in Phoenix for the past three years. And this year I finally was able to experience Pizzeria Bianco. I have been reading and learning about them for many years. Also, they have been mentioned in Food and Wine magazine and on the Food Network.
Award Winning Pizza
Pizzeria Bianco has consistently been selected as the best pizza in the west. And actually the best pizza in the USA. And to top it off, owner Chris Bianco had won the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2003 and again in 2009 for the best pizza.
I hope that eating at Pizzeria Bianca’s will become a tradition whenever we visit Phoenix.

Pizza Fan Gone Wild
So, we had a hard time finding the place as it is somewhat tucked away around campus. But then we found it! Can you hear the angels singing? LOL. We found and drove up to the valet parking area. And there I was just jabbering away to the attendant. He was obviously busy trying to keep up with the flow of cars coming and going.
I was going on about asking questions like is this the original Pizzeria Bianco shop? The one that Chris won the James Beard award? And does this place really have outstanding pizza? Can you tell this is my first time here? On and on I just could not help myself. The attendant was so nice trying to answer my inquires while gently pointing us to the restaurant.
I was like a kid attending his first baseball game. I could not stop smiling. As my wife would lovingly say, I am such a dork.
Beautiful Salad Italian Bread Pizzeria Bianco Night
Yes, I am still smiling. How could I not be? As I find myself walking into a quaint brick pizzeria where the wood fire oven is the center of attention. And a place with the reputation of being one of the best. Oh, and the aromas, they were so intoxicating. I was in pizza heaven.
The Food
Our friends started with a salad. Wow, not just a salad. Arugula, red leaf, and a generous portion of Italian green olives. Nicely spiced with just enough olive oil. You can see all the ingredients are top quality and fresh.
The Bread
The bread. I am batting 1000 here. If you have been reading my blog, I am finding all of these wonderful versions of this simple Italian staple. Bianco’s bread had the signature Italian bread crunch on the outside and the inside had just the right softness. And it was hot out of the oven. No wonder I am smiling.

Downtown Dave
Wow!!! This place is hopping. We had a 45-minute wait. (Don’t worry you can wait at the place next store at the cool Bar Bianco) And in the midst of all the typical restaurant commotion here comes the GM to greet us. Downtown Dave as he is known. He started with Chris Bianco from the beginning and has been with him ever since. He was gracious enough to come by our table and fill us in with some history of the place. I wish I had videoed it. Maybe next time.
And then, later on, me being a bubbling star-struck pizza fan, weird I know. I ask to have my picture taken with Dave. And again he nicely agreed.
Afterward, Dave asked if I wanted pictures of the inside of the oven. Boy do I! Ok my face is hurting now from grinning for the last hour or so. I just could not stop smiling.


Now I found that I had to make a decision because there were two types of pizza I wanted to try. One with Wood-Roasted Onion, House Smoked Mozzarella, Fennel Sausage, and the other with Fresh Mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, Ricotta, Arugula. Being very helpful, our waiter suggested making the pizza a half and half. fantastico!
And the crust. benissimo!
To really tell a great pizza, especially the wood fire oven variety you need to look at the underneath. It should have just the right amount of charring with it not being overcooked. But not being absent of any charring or undercook either. And it can’t be completely burnt.
Pizzeria Bianco’s crust as you can sort of see, sorry for the bad picture, is perfect. It has the right amount of char but allows the crust to glisten in between the blackened parts. The crust had that smoky flavor with just the right balance of crunch and chewiness. Mamma Mia!
Half and Half Toppings Perfect Crust Delicious Pizza
So if you live in Phoenix or are planning to visit Phoenix make it a point to experience Pizzeria Bianco. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you for stopping by and until next time!
Ciao! And buon appetito.
If you want to see my Pizza Dream Job post-adventure click here