Ready to throw down? Tucson restaurants will face off in ultimate pizza challenge 🍕
Eleven Tucson restaurants are in the hunt for the title of best pizza and best dessert in the Tucson Originals' 2026 Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel on Saturday, May 23.
Four non-pizza restaurants and seven pizzerias, including a few winners of past throwdowns, are among the contestants who will have just two hours to put out their best pizza and dessert creations.
Look for the simply sublime margherita with dollops of buffalo mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh basil; alongside the all-hands-on-deck supreme with two or three different meats (Italian sausage and pepperoni are standards), peppers, onions, olives and mushrooms.
There will likely be one or two classic pepperoni pies in the mix and some simply dressed varieties.
The competition from 6-8 p.m. at Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria, 3011 E. Speedway, is mostly friendly, although as the clock ticks down we'll surely see some signs of fatigue or angst from a chef or two. After all, bragging rights are on the line.
Competitors this year include past winners Rocco’s Little Chicago, Fiamme Pizzeria Napoletano and Zio Peppe Italian Sonoran alongside two legendary Tucson pizza mamas — Mama’s Famous Pizza & Heroes, which has been in business 40 years; and Mama Louisa's, celebrating year 70 this year.
Related
These two pizza chefs were part of last year's Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel. The 2026 ev…
Japanese company invests in mine near Mount Lemmon
