Classic Italian Pizza

This place has AMAZING Pizza. It is fancier than an Oregano's, but the pizza is way better. I have never had an issue with poor service and have been here numerous times. It is a smaller hidden gem in Tempe, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to support a delicious small local pizzeria. more

I would love to be able to review the pizza here, unfortunately, I can’t because we never had a chance to try it. We walked into the restaurant at 6:30 (I know because I looked at my watch wondering if we were late meeting friends). We had tickets to the Improv and had to leave by 8:15 for a 9:00 show. We ordered 2 salads and 2 pizzas at 6:45. Salads were delivered around 7:15. They were ok, but at $10.75/salad we expected more and the server told us they were large enough for two. In reality, it was a one person salad and nothing special. At 7:45 they brought plates for pizza so we anticipated it would be there any time. 8 women, at the table next to us, were already there when we sat down, and they still didn’t have their food either. Finally, at 8:05 my husband went to the counter and asked about our pizza. Our less than friendly waitress told him that there were ‘at least 4 pizzas’ in front of us. When he looked at the brick oven, he noticed there were no pizzas in it. My husband told our waitress to close out our check so we could leave. Without even getting a pizza our tab was over 50 bucks for 2 salads, 3 beers and a glass of wine. We were looking for another pizza place because of the poor service at Pizza Bianco. So, while they both had horrible service, at least we ate at Bianco’s, not so much at Classic Italian Pizza, and it didn’t appear that the restaurant cared one bit. There are a few places we like in town, VinciTorio’s in Tempe and Bell' Italia Pizzeria in Ahwatukee, good food, good service. If you haven’t tried them I would recommend going there instead of Classic Italian Pizza or Pizza Bianco. more

Great pizza, wonderful atmosphere. I've been going to Pizzeria Bianco for years and must say that the two are very similar. For the people that complain about the pizza, you need to understand it's different than the average greasy pizza that you get from the pizza chains. more

After having lived in Europe for most of the 90's I have missed the atmosphere and food the most. Classic Italian Pizza is a true European Restaurant. \r The pizza reminds me of the kind I used to get when I was in Brindisi. Thin crust, just enough sauce and cheese to compliment each other, and a wide variety of toppings not normally found here in the states.\r If you prefer thick crust and lots of sauce and cheese, aka Americanized pizza, Classic Italian Pizza is not the place for you. If you want to try something different and tasty then you'll love the place.\r The service is also very European. You won't have staff waiting at your elbow or trying to push you out the door as soon as you finish. They expect you to sit back, relax, enjoy your meal and the company you are with. \r I highly recommend finishing the meal with the Tiramisu,,, It is the best you will ever have. Pros: True European, and Romantic Dinning Cons: If you want American Pizza not the place for you more

After living in Italy for 4 years I now find myself searching for good Italian food. Not American knock off Italian food. Classic Italian Pizza is by far the best Italian pizza in town. The wait staff was great, the chef was very nice and the wine was good. The pizza was the best I have had since I left Italy. It is well worth the drive from the west valley. Pros: Great pizza, great atmosphere Cons: In a strip mall. more

Since coming back from Italy, good Italian pizza was hard to find, until now. This quaint little place offers pizza the way it was meant to be from Italy. I've read some negative reviews because it is not your traditional American pizza. I believe it's better. It's a must try for a little taste of Italy. Pros: Authentic Italian Pizza Cons: N/A more

It all depends what you want. There are different types of restaurants. When I was younger I loved high fat and high sugar foods. Therefore, chain restaurants delivering huge portions, thick crust, lots of cheese, and high fat pizza, were the way to go.\r \r In contrast, this restaurant delivers a thinner crust and fresh high quality ingridients. Now, I prefer fresh mushrooms over canned ones and I prefer if the pizza is served without a thick layer of oil / fat on top of it. Personally, I have not found any better place in the whole Phoenix area yet. Clearly my top choice now. Pros: The food is great Cons: Location more

I have read the other reviews and been to this place twice. The staff is very rude and act like they don't want any more business. I have to say I value customer service. I would rather have OK food with good service, over good food with bad service. As for this place it is OK food with BAD service. NEVER again. Pros: smells good inside Cons: Small, long wait, expensive, unfriendly staff. more

thin wonderful crust, fresh toppings, not very filling but very delicious, dinner plate size, somewhat expensive but worth it! Pros: award winning pizza Cons: opens at 5pm, no lunch here :( more

That's right, I have tried, actually toured many of the other pizza places in town including Pizzeria Bianco and this still is the best pizza in town. Don't get me wrong Pizza Bianco is good, but this is better, and you don't have to make a reservation or wait as long. \r \r The sauce is excellent, the crust extraordinary and the toppings are adequate. The place is a little small, but has a nice quaint atmosphere. The service could be a little better at times, but overall highly recommended.\r Pros: Excellent pizza, great taste & flavor! Cons: Service could be better, as they tend to get very busy. more

I'll make this short & sweet. I have read all of the previous reviews and can't believe that they are talking about the place I recently visited. All the reviews appear like they were either written by employees or friends of the owner. Forget the decor - we are talking about pizza. The pizza here was on par with some of the worst chain pizza I have eaten in the past. Yes they have brick fired oven but if the pizza is bad from th start then what is the point in baking it in a brick oven. My pizza was limb, tastless and paper thin and had hardly any tomatoe sauce. In fact when I sat down to order my pizza I notice the person next to me was eating one of their pizzas and I mentally thought that it didn't look very good & this was not going to be a very good experience. They also have a odd slogan in one of their ads which says that ""life is too short to eat bad pizza"" & I have to agree so this is one pizza joint to avoid. more

When looking for a relaxing setting to enjoy fine pizza and wine look no further. Cozy setting professional service and supreme food to boot. They do not short you on quality. Everything is homemade and top quality ingredients. An exotic wine and beer list will have you coming back for more. Who ever knew Italy was so close to Tempe. Walking through the door sends you into the realm of enjoying a true Italian meal. Step out of the daily grind and sit back relax and enjoy some incredible food. Pros: quality, selection, service Cons: hours more

I'm from the dining Mecca of San Francisco and have very high standards for pizza, and this exceeds them all. Everything is fresh and made to perfection. Great wine selection as well as a small selection of incredible beers. Nothing is dumbed down to a low level, everything is top notch. Prices are very reasonable too. Pros: Great Pizza & Salads, Great Wine and Beer, Reasonably Priced Cons: Strange Location more

GREATEST PLACE MY BOYFRIEND AND I HAVE BEEN TO IN A WHILE, GREAT SERVICE, THE FOOD WAS WOW, UNFORGETABLE AND LET ME ADD SINCE I AM A VEGETARIAN THERE'S NOT MANY PLACES I'LL SINK MY TEETH INTO. BUT BY FAR ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO EAT... CANDLE LIGHT AND ALL...BEAUTIFUL PEACEFUL AMBIANCE, AND IT WILL NOT DIG A HOLE IN YOUR WALLET.... Pros: AMBIANCE, FRIENDLY SERVICE, YUMMY FOOD! Cons: NOTHING, ZIP, NADA more

In Phoenix, every gourmet pizza place is going to find itself in the shadow of that one place downtown by the award-winning chef. For me, however, I can't stand the idea of three-hour waits for a dang pizza, so I was delighted when I found Classic in Tempe. It is closer to my house, the pizza is way-better than any chain, they have a great wine list and nice art. Pros: Fresh ingredients, Great bread & salad Cons: Construction in front, Nice patio, no view more

This is the best pizza I have run into, along with fine wines, candlelight, and even an outdoor patio with twinkling lights. This is such a romantic place in such an odd location... Pros: Romantic, Everything fresh more

I just came back from France, where I became absolutely addicted to Italian Bistro food. The French, once known as the culinary leaders of the world, have gone crazy over authentic Italian cuisine, the likes of which we have never seen in the US except in places like th Classic Italian Pizza. I met the new owner who purchased the restaurant after returning to Tempe from four years in Italy, and he is an absolute artisan when it comes to food, everything fresh, many of his cheeses and sausages prepared on site daily. I fell in love with the sausage pizza, and will be back for more. Pros: Authentic more

After ordering from one of the fast pizza chains last weekends, my expectations for pizza have been low lately, until I found Classic Italian Pizza. You would never guess by it's location, but this is a really classy place, a brick oven, a full bar, beautiful art, elegant surroundings, a classy porch area -- we would have NEVER guessed considering that it is tucked away between a Big Lots and a exercise place. They make their mozzerella cheese and sausages there daily, and the bread that comes with the salad is to die for, even a separate item on the menu because of all of the requests. This is not a full Italian menu, just fantastic pizza and calzone, and one is enough for two people to share. The place is usually packed with regulars on weekends, so I recommend weeknights. Pros: Best Pizza - CLASSIC!, Great Sausages!, Nice Wine selection Cons: , bread is addicting! more

Wonderfully fresh ingredients, however service needs some improvement. We watched our salad sit for 10 minutes as our server waited for the bread to be done. Wood fired oven only has room for so much food and can only cook so fast. Worth the wait but just be forewarned this isnt the quickest meal. Prices seem a bit high yet you pay for the great homemade taste. Super friendly owner who's very accomodating. Pros: fresh, unique items Cons: wait staff knowledge, cook time more

I lived in Italy for two years and I have not had real Italian pizza since then until I found Classic Italian Pizza! The pizza is simple and tasty. The toppings do not drown out the other ingredients like they do on American pizzas. Try the margherita pizza. It is simple and delicious! Prices are fair and the owner is friendly and cordial. The pizza is baked flat on the stone in the oven exactly the way it is done it Italy! Wonderful!!!! Pros: inexpensive, great pizza, authentic menu more