Pizzeria Bianco — Phoenix, AZ

Arriving at Nobuo for dinner the night before, we saw that Pizzeria Bianco was right across the courtyard. It was one of the first places I bookmarked for my trip to Phoenix but didn’t think we’d have time to visit. After dinner that evening, we decided to have lunch at Pizzeria Bianco before heading to the airport, the following day.

Arizona Chef Chris Bianco first started serving pizzas in 1987 at the back of a grocery store (now AJ’s Euro-Market & Deli) but found its current Heritage Square location in 1996. He won a James Beard Foundation Award in 2003, for Best Southwest Chef, making him the only pizza chef to have won a regional award. I was excited!

When we arrived that morning, we were told the wait would be 40 minutes. It sucked that the Rosson House and The Carriage House weren’t open, but we were able to walk around the lush setting, as well as the Children’s Museum for a little bit. Our buzzer went off after 35 minutes and they were nice enough to seat us at a table outside, where there was plenty of room for us to situate our suitcases.

The menu is small, a couple of small plates and sandwiches, three salads, six pizzas, and some extras you can either add as toppings to your pizza, or as a side. Of course, I always end up with the task of ordering whenever I dine out with friends.

Farmers Market Salad ($11) comprised of baby arugula, thinly sliced apples, goat cheese and candied walnuts. It was so simple, yet so delicious even my friend who isn’t a fan of arugula enjoyed it.

The accompanying bread is also fantastic!

We ordered two pizzas, one with red sauce, and one white. Sonny Boy ($19.50) with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, salami, and Gaeta olives. These little olives are packed with so much flavor, and worked perfectly with the other ingredients.

However, what I was most impressed with was the crust. It was super thin, but not the least bit wet, making it easy to fold and bite into.

It was the same with the Wise Guy ($19.50) a white pizza topped with wood-roasted onions, house-smoked mozzarella, and fennel sausage. I knew everyone was enjoying the pizza because it got really quiet all of a sudden.

Just look at how thin this pizza is! And did I mention, not at all soggy??

My friend ordered Wood Roasted Mushrooms ($4) as a side dish, and I added a little to both pizzas. I loved the unadulterated flavors of simplicity, which was everything we ate here.

I took the leftovers with me — some salad, and a slice each of both pizzas — to the airport, planning to eat it later. I ended up eating the salad, but decided to bring the pizza home for my son. Needless to say, he thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it was at least seven to eight hours later. I would not hesitate to come back again on a future visit! It was well worth the wait. We took an Uber, but there is also valet parking available if you are driving.

Pizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Tel: 602-258-8300