Find your favorite slice of pizza at these Tempe restaurants
We don’t know about you, but we think pizza is always a good idea. It is typically a weekly, or let’s be honest, almost daily, part of our diet. Not that you need any other reason to grab a slice. These pizza joints in Tempe have stolen a pizza of our hearts and we think you need to discover your favorite slice, whether it be traditional or trending towards unusual. Sadly for us, we didn’t get to try every slice of pizza in Tempe (but we will), so we’ve compiled a list of the places that we did try below. That’s not where the list ends, however. You can also get pizza slices (for lunch) at Rosati’s or Barro’s in south Tempe. Gus’s New York Pizza is another local favorite just steps from the ASU Tempe Campus, and they have the distinction of being open 24 hours a day. Or check out 414 Pizza in Downtown Tempe for good eats. You gotta love that pizza places are aplenty in college towns like Tempe.
Venezia’s Pizza
27 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 | (480) 858-1660
Venezia’s has a few locations in the metro area, including one in Tempe on Mill and Southern Avenues. Their friendly staff serves up pizza by the slice for lunch and dinner. You can pair a slice or two with salad or wings and a drink. Their hearty slices are New York style, so expect a thinner crust and lots of gooey cheese. And, their Tempe location is big, so there’s lot of room for you, your squad and the pizza loving masses.
Signature slice: The Mala, inspired by the Phoenix Rising Football Club, is topped with cheese, pepperoni, grilled chicken and French fries. You can also add a Buffalo sauce swirl, bacon and jalapenos. Because, why wouldn’t you?
Sal’s Pizza
922 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 248-9338
Just a stone’s throw from the ASU Tempe Campus at Rural and Apache, Sal’s Pizza is the choice for a quick lunch or a late-night bite (until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays). It’s called “wicked good pizza,” because they are straight out of Boston. Their slices are HUGE and their prices are super reasonable. Help out this local pizza spot by calling the store directly to place an order, instead of ordering from Grubhub, Postmates, or Doordash (they take 30% of the sales).
Signature slice: It’s a tough call, but we’d go with the barbecue chicken pizza.
Otto Pizza and Pastry
804 S. Ash Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-966-1003
Otto Pizza and Pastry is a cozy little place that’s been serving up whole pies and slices for more than 27 years. Otto (who moved to Arizona from France in 1992) can always be found in the kitchen kneading the dough for his tasty New York-style pizza. The generously sized slices start at $2.79 with additional toppings costing 59 cents. Deal! And, your order will be out in just minutes. It’s close to ASU, making it a perfect spot for busy, budget-minded students.
Signature slice: Otto Rainbow covers the spectrum with mozzarella, pepperoni, ham, green pepper, black olives, tomatoes and seasonings.
Slices on Mill
11 E. 6th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 590-0511
Dare I say “Slices – A Unique Style Pizza Joint” is Tempe’s little slice of heaven or is that too CHEESY? When Slices first opened, it was their goal to bring a “slice” of urban living to the Sonoran Desert. Slices is bringing the best college and nightlife pizza joint to the forefront. It should be obvious at this point that you can grab pizza by the slice here, but you can also splurge on a 16” or 19” pie or create your own calzone. Beginners tip: If you do order by the slice, get there at the beginning of the lunch hour as their options go fast!
Signature slice: Potato & Bacon is a winner every time. I mean how can you go wrong with those toppings?
Slices- Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 966-2021
A hand full of shopping bags and the other- a slice of pizza, what a perfect combo! Slices is conveniently located at Tempe Marketplace and is the perfect stop after a fun day at the mall. Slices is family-owned restaurant founded by Joe (from Chicago) and Anna (from Rome, Italy). Joe was a pizzaiolo in Italy where he perfected his cooking skills! Make sure to check their website and their Instagram daily for their amazing deals and specials!
Signature slice: Chicken Bacon Ranch, all three of my favorite food in one bite?!
Spinelli’s Pizza
420 S. Mill Ave., #101, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (602) 800-5300
As pizza lovers, we want all the carbs of course, but sometimes pizza slices are a little too much bread (said no one ever). So when you’re ready to take on a slice of flavor town, hit up one of our favorite late night/early morning snack stops, Spinelli’s. It’s a great place to be after hanging out on Mill Avenue. We love their wide variety of pizza slice types that make you question the taste but you somehow think it makes sense… Chicken and Waffles… Chicken Bacon Ranch… Breakfast…. Mac N Cheese… Now these all sound a bit crazy but definitely give them a try. You can thank us later.
Signature Slice: Give us an ultra-thin slice of Veggie pizza please and enjoy every bit of the toppings because you won’t be overwhelmed by the thickness of crust.
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza
1120 E. Baseline Rd., Tempe, AZ 85283 | (480) 590-5830
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is new to Tempe, but if you’ve been to New York, you might be familiar. Lucky for us, this East Coast pizza place has found its way to our town. They sell whole pies, of course, but we think it’s more fun to try a variety of flavors by ordering by the slice. If you’ve never thought that artichoke spinach dip and pizza should pair up, well then you don’t know what you’ve been missing. This signature artichoke pizza slice is HUGE and oozes with yummy cream sauce, lots of cheese and of course artichokes and spinach to keep it healthy-ish. Meat eaters will love the generous portion of pepperoni on that classic slice. And, you don’t want to skip the meatball or Staten Island (meatballs, red onions and ricotta) slices either. Trust us.
Signature Slice: It has to be the artichoke slice. If it’s good enough to name the restaurant after this creation, then you absolutely have to try it.
What’s your favorite pizza topping? Tell us in the comments.
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