Pazzo's

Pazzo’s Pizza
Avon, Colorado

New York and Chicago boast the best pizza in America—they’ve been fighting over it for years.  But travel a bit west, over yonder mountains, and you’ll find some of the best pizza (and grub) in the country.  It’s a best kept secret, and Pazzo’s wouldn’t have it any other way.  

Their pizza is incredible—fresh ingredients, homemade pizza dough and sauce, and house specialties that’ll make your mouth water.  Their hand tossed pizza is made right behind the bar, so you can watch your pie go in and come out of the oven while you grab your beer and watch whatever game is in season.  It doesn’t get any better than this—and when you get your food it’s piping hot.  No heat lamps for these guys!  Their calzones (“Pazzones”) are also fantastic—enough food to share or for leftovers. 

But say you’re not in the mood for pizza.  You want an entree or a sub or a salad.  You won’t be left out.  Try the Greek Salad.  Olives, feta, pepperocinis, onions, tomatos, the works!  The dressing is killer!  Never really thought I’d review a salad, but this one can’t be left out!  Their jalapeño poppers have a nice heat to them, great flavor, and won’t destroy your palate.   The meatball sub has hand made meatballs, house made marinara, and fresh bread.  And they’re accommodating to dietary concerns.  

In the winter season, sometimes they get so busy there will not only be a wait at the door for a table, but the phones will be ringing off the hook for take out and delivery.  If it gets too backed up, they won’t even pick up the phone for fear of angry customers who won’t understand why their pizza will take 2 hours to make!  They’re just that popular!  Don’t let these photos fool you! In the off season, the locals go to Pazzo’s for awesome food and to watch football/baseball/hockey/etc.  It’s our pizza joint.  And Pazzo’s knows how to take care of it’s locals, which is a wonderful thing in a valley where the locals get cast to the side in favor of the (normally more well off) tourists.   

I’ve been eating at Pazzo’s for the better part of my life.  Pazzo’s gets a bad rep sometimes from tourists who are used to the “Experience of a Lifetime” Vail Resorts prides itself on.  But Pazzo’s isn’t Vail.  Pazzo’s isn’t Beaver Creek.  Pazzo’s is Avon—the local pizza joint.  They’re not fancy.  They don’t have over the top specials.  All those things are great, but it’s just not Pazzo’s style.   It’s a pizza place run by a bunch of skiers and snowboarders serving awesome grub to a bunch of skiers and snowboarders.