Desperately Seeking Pizza in Northern Colorado
I love living in Colorado.
Ever since I moved my family here in February of 2007, I really can’t imagine living anywhere else.
I love the mountains.
I love the change of seasons.
I love zero humidity.
And I’ve met some really great people here.
But there’s one thing that is still lacking…
Really good pizza.
We’ve got plenty of restaurants here… everything from the chains and fast food to some nice mom and pop joints.
But I’ve yet to find a pizza that truly satisfies.
Of course, there are the standards like Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Papa Johns and Dominos.
Granted, they’ll do in a pinch, but it’s not like… “Hey honey, let’s go to Pizza Hut! YUM!”
When I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, I was raised on the likes of Giordanos and Villa Rosa Pizza. Man, now those are pizzas!
My twenty years in Texas and Oklahoma found us eating the standards, but the occasional feast, such as Hideaway Pizza. Mmmm… good stuff.
But I have yet to find a truly original pizza to die for in Northern Colorado.
One of the best we’ve found so far is at Lorenzo’s Italian Deli and Pasta. My wife and kids like it, but I’m just not crazy about it.
Tonight, we tried delivery from Abo’s Pizza. Their site says they were voted best pizza in Boulder and they’ve received all kinds of awards.
I wasn’t impressed at all. I found it to be very average. Sigh.
Is there anyone in Northern Colorado that can help me? Tell me where to find a GREAT pizza! Hurry!
I came from NY 16 yrs ago, and felt the same way – though I was desperately seeking NY style cheese slices, not Chicago Deep Dish – so, not sure if you will agree with the few chooses I will recommend.
Just to let you know, they are the results of years of serious searching – and they are all closer to Boulder, than Loveland or Ft. Collins:
#1 Choice: Pizza Alley
3499 W 32ND Ave
Denver, CO 80211-3103
Phone: (303) 458-8415
Well worth the drive from Boulder, not sure about from where you are. The cute little town it’s in is nice, too.
2. Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta
1550 California St
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 573-6236
Close to Denver Convention Center, when and if you are in that area
3. O Pizza
(303)444.9100
http://www.o-pizza.com/
3980 Broadway
Boulder Colorado
by Lucky’s Market
Best pizza in Boulder, so when I don’t feel like driving to Pizza Alley, this is the only option close by.
4. Li’l Ricci’s New York Pizza
3333 S Tamarac Dr Ste S
Denver, CO 80231-4362
Phone: (303) 337-6591
The only reason this one is #4 is because I found it 16 yrs ago, but since they are so far away (and I found Pizza Alley), I haven’t been there in a long time – so, not sure if they are still as good. But the owner was from NY and I remember it being the closest thing to NY style pizza.
5. Nick-N-Willy’s Pizza
1015 S. Taft Hill Rd.
Fort Collins, CO
970-494-0600
OR
Loveland
34 Market Place across from Wal-Mart on Hwy 34
1433 Denver Ave
970-613-1007
OK, I haven’t been to the Fort Collin’s or Loveland locations, and it is Take and Bake, plus more “designer pizza”, but figured I would mention this one, since I do eat at the Boulder location (well, I have them prepare for me to cook at home) when I am in the mood for toppings. I can’t speak for the cheese pie, as I always get the Aegean or the Penny Lane (which I think is only available in Boulder).
Anyway, hope this helps! I understand too well your desperation!
Hey Joel. . .I’m not far from Chicago (about 100 miles southwest), and there is NOTHING like Chicago pizza. One of my favorite gifts I love to send out-of-staters is Lou Malnati’s. Yes, they ship their Chicago deep dish pizza. Probably not something you want to do once a week, but as an occasional treat, it can’t be beat!
Oh yeah, and while you’re there, order some Portillo’s Italian Beef. Mmmmmmm.
http://www.tastesofchicago.com/
I can only give one recommendation outside of the chains, and going there has become a family tradition… it’s Beau Jo’s Pizza. (http://www.beaujos.com/) You can go to any of them and have a good pizza but to make it really worth it go to the idaho springs location… then go to the great little ice cream parler a couple doors down, also local ‘rocky mountain’ ice cream. 🙂
Don’t know about comparing it to new york or Chicago but it’s good, really good. Get the Italian Chicken with Pesto sauce…
Hey Joel, I’m in just to your south in Longmont and there’s nothing to die for here either. However I have to agree with the Beau Jo’s recommendation in Idaho Springs. Gotta stop there on the way back from a day on the slopes. I would also suggest Jalinos in Boulder at 17th and Arapahoe. Great sauce, cheese, and crust. Oh yeah the toppings aint bad either!
Joel, I agree with both Beau Jo’s comments and good news. They will be opening a new restaurant in Boulder within the next two weeks. Not only is the pizza the best in town. These guys run a “Green Restaurant”. They user solar and wind to generate the power of their store and everything from the light bulbs to the ovens are lower energy users. Also, Lou Mal’s and Gino’s both ship from Chi-town and there are two Rosati’s in Westminster (just as good as the Chicago burbs).
Joel: Have you been to Chicago Times at 115 E 29th St. in Loveland? Also, there is a Beau Jo’s in Fort Collins. Your neighbor, Bear
I am from Queens, NY and I am a pizza guy. The 2 places I get pizza at in Fort Collins are Pulcinella (they have a location in Loveland) and Postianos. They are as close to NY pizza that you are going to get. Must try both!
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I live in Loveland and also happen to be an internet marketer as well. My favorite pizza place in Loveland is Pulcinella’s located off of hwy34 and Taft close to Wendy’s and Chipotle.
try uncle’s pizzeria in fort collins off college. they have been their for two years and the owners are from new jersey and new york. Best pie in town and they all know how to toss a pie. Plus best ny cheesecake in town, ill put money on it.
I agree–it is strangely difficult finding decent pizza.
I personally like John Dough’s Pizzeria in Berthoud. They deliver to south Loveland, too. I mean, if you don’t mind going to Berthoud then that will work too.
http://www.johndoughspizzeria.com/
There is, now, a Nick and Willy’s that opened on Denver avenue here in Loveland if you’re interested.
Good luck…
Hannah
Roma’s in Greeley has 2 locations and it is the closest that I’ve found to European or Italian Pizza and the thin crust with the light layer of sauce that you can get overseas. I still have to find a Pizza that compares to them but Roma’s is the closest I’ve found so far. Give them a try you won’t be sorry! (I’m not affiliated with them in any way shapw or form). John Dough’s in Berthoud is very good also and as mentioned previously Positano’s and Pulcinella are very good Pizza places in Fort Collins/Loveland.
Ken J
http://www.romagreeley.com/
Hi — I read about your plea for good pizza. I am in search of an Italian Bakery. Like, filled with the aroma of fresh baked rolls, flat bread, and tons of loaves of bread. In the bakery counter will be head light donuts and half moon cookies and fresh bags of pizza dough. Is that so hard to ask?
Perhaps, we can entice some baker to move here and open a bakery/pizza joint to satisfy both our needs… because it really is all about us, right?
And Mead is certainly in Northern Colorado (I-25 exit 245) so it should be built here, right here.
Marge
Pulcinella’s in Loveland is now called Arte Pizzeria. This is the closest thing to NY pizza here. Our family loves it. It is not exactly NY pizza, but it’s the best we’ve found. Now, about the bagels around here…
OK all. I’m here in Northern Colorado desperately looking for a New York like deli, You know Breakfast specials! Ham,egg,cheese on a kaiser roll, or whatever kind of meat with egg on a kaiser roll? I’m really wanting a real deli. I’m tired of the chain garbage!
OK for pizza. The best place for pizza and it is NY style, they do have sicilian, is Parkway pizza in Cheyanne,Wy. believe it or not. They have stuffed shells, lasagna, spaghetti, stromboli, calzones, you name it, it’s there! And it tastes just like home!
We love deep dish pizza. We are from the Midwest and have had several of Chicago’s finest like Lou Malnati’s. We have lived in CO 7 years and love it but have been to many places in search of the deep dish pizza and we found a pizza place called Patxi’s. They have 3 locations and they do a pretty good job. So far the best we have found and like.