It seems fitting that we’re publishing a piece about our favorite Denver pie during election season— pizza is seriously polarizing. In honor of an entire month dedicated to everyone’s favorite cheesy goodness, we’ve compiled a must-try list for all your slice needs. No matter where you sit on the political pizza spectrum, you’ll be able to find that perfect bite with the help of 303 Magazine’s editorial team.
For Deep Dish
When it comes to deep dish I have to vote no, but with the help of a quite knowledgeable staff two solid recommendations were made. Patxi’s Pizza and Blue Pan are the first thrown into the debate, touting their crunchy crusts and gooey interiors. Blue Pan’s Detroit-style pizzas have been attracting quite a bit of buzz lately, and they’re opening a new location in Congress Park. Try the “Mountain Top” ($13) with two styles of pepperoni, sauteed white button mushrooms and oregano. However, for your authentic deep-dish pie needs, head to Patxi’s Pizza. We love the “special” ($20.50) with garlic-fennel sausage, fresh mushrooms, green peppers and onions. Multiple locations. Patxispizza.com; 3930 West 32nd Ave., Denver. bluepandenver.com Pro Tip: if you’re ever in Telluride you can also get Blue Pan pizza with their original location, Brown Dog.
For Date Night
One of my favorite things about pizza is how it seems to fit every occasion perfectly, and date night is no exception. For a small, casual-but-not-a-cop-out date option, look no further than Cart-Driver. This shipping container-turned-restaurant in RiNo dishes hand-tossed, wood-fired pizzas and oysters. Don’t miss either. For something new, dive into their little neck clam pizza with pancetta ($15).
Another date-night spot for pizza in the Mile High is Bar Dough. Newer to the scene, this LoHi location serves pizzas perfectly charred by their Acunto Napoli wood-burning oven. Executive Chef and Owner Max MacKissock puts his prior training in NYC and Italy to good use, cranking out classics like their margherita or the Mountain Man pizza ($14) — a nod to Colorado — with gorgonzola, montasio, onion, guanciale, calabrian chile honey and pistachio. 2500 Larimer St., Denver Cart-driver.com; 2227 W 32nd Ave., Denver bardoughdenver.com
For Drunken Nights
If pizza is as polarizing as the election, drunk pizza would be the most divisive platform. A battle broke out between the 303 editorial team over their favorite slice post-night out. While this is often neighborhood or delivery driven, two front-runners emerged when the dust settled — Pie Hole and Famous Pizza on South Broadway. There’s something deeply satisfying about consuming a classic slice of cheese pizza ($2.08) while intoxicated. It’s an experience that a simple description wouldn’t do justice, so let us all take a moment of silence for all of the slices that have been sacrificed to a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) over the legal limit. 44 S Broadway, Denver, Pieholedenver.com; 98 S Broadway, Denver. (Their lack of website only proves our point.)
For Happy Hour
A deal isn’t really a deal if the pizza isn’t all that good. Two of our favorite spots for pizza as good as the deal are Hops & Pie on Tennyson and Tony P’s. Head to Hops & Pie on Wednesdays for $2 craft can night and their slice special. Both Tony P’s locations have a cult-following for their “Happier Hour” from Monday-Friday 4pm – 6pm and 9pm- 1pm and Saturday-Sunday 11am-6pm and 9pm-11pm. Head in during those times for deals like $3 three-topping slices and $5 house wine. Multiple locations. Tonypspizza.com; 3920 Tennyson St., Denver. hopsandpie.com.
For a Cause
Photo courtesy of Lauren DeFilippo
Eating pizza always makes me feel good inside, but if you need a little extra pep in your step after indulging, consider heading to Wazee Supper Club during the month of October. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month the restaurant made a special “Pink Ribbon Pizza” and will donate $1 for every small, $1.50 for every medium and $2 for every large Pink Ribbon Pizza pizza purchased. The money raised will contribute funds to the Colorado chapter of Casting for Recovery – a program that combines breast cancer education and peer support with the therapeutic sport of fly fishing. The Pink Ribbon Pizza has a pink, beet-infused crust, topped with a garlic cream sauce, goat cheese, beets, mozzarella, artichoke hearts and a light balsamic drizzle. 1600 15th St., Denver. Wazeesupperclub.com