Pablo's Pizza, Grand Junction

Pablo's Pizza on historic Main St in downtown Grand Junction is a fun place. It's a nice location along the pedestrian-friendly street. It has that good mountain west vibe, almost ski-town feel, with a small, but decent beer list.

What I ate: Medium pizza, half pepperoni and half mushroom

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Villa's Italian Kitchen, Mall Food Court

Villa's Italian Kitchen is a mall food court pizza place. There's several up and down the Front Range. I'm sure you could find one, but I wouldn't recommend it.

As the guru, I believe that all pizza has merit. I believe that the world is a better place with the existence of every slice of pizza. This one had me doubting my beliefs. I don't like to be this negative, but this is the feeling it left with me.

Leon Gessi Pizza, Colorado Springs

I was in Colorado Springs and wanted pizza by the slice for lunch. A quick search and 20 minutes later I was at Leon Gessi Pizza. 21 minutes later I was happy to be here. The restaurant smells great with that wonderful Italian restaurant smell. 

Leon Gessi's embraces the New York style pizza and culture. Not only with their pizza, but the decor. It works for Leon because the food is good and the place smells great. I'm often skeptical of "New York style" sales pitch for pizza because it can disguise that your pizza actually isn't any good. Leon's could go with any Italian theme and I'd enjoy it.

Costco Take and Bake Pepperoni Pizza

I've probably had Costco's Take and Bake or deli counter pizza 40-50 times. I've purchased these for parties, quick easy pizza dinners, and even on a whim as I'm walking past them while shopping. It's simple, it's reasonably priced, and it's delicious.

This time I purchased the pepperoni pizza and removed some slices to please the group I was eating with. I've also eaten their cheese pizza take and bake. I don't enjoy that one as much; it's too cheesy.

Garlic Knot Pizza, Westminster

I've seen the Garlic Knot around town; it's a chain throughout the Denver area. I've never been inclined to eat there as my "pizza senses" always led me elsewhere. But it was lunch, I was hungry, and knew I was close to one. Being the Guru, I gave it a shot. 

My first impression, "Here we go again with the, "New York Style Pizza"." My second impression, upon entering the restaurant, was good. It actually did feel like a NY/NJ pizza place. 

Silvi's Kitchen (Udi's), Arvada

I like Silvi's Kitchen and have eaten there several times since they opened years back, originally as Udi's. It is located at the main intersection in Olde Town, Arvada. A perfect spot in town. I rarely order pizza when I eat here. For a place that isn't really a pizza place, the pizza is good.

What I ate: The Classic Pepperoni pizza, 3 slices.

Rating: 3 Stars out of 5

Right Coast Pizza, Wheat Ridge

I'm skeptical of any pizza place that advertises itself at "New York Pizza", "East Coast Pizza" or something similar. Right Coast Pizza in Wheat Ridge, CO falls into that trap, advertising itself as "Jersey style pizza." It doesn't mean I don't like thin crust, east coast pizza. I do. But there's just as much bad pizza in New York and New Jersey as there is good. Why lump yourself in with a style of pizza that isn't always great? I've eaten countless slices up and down the I-95 corridor from New York to DC. Maybe that's why I'm skeptical of these places. I'm looking for something fresh.

The Front Range Pizza Guru

This was a very good deep dish pizza. 4 stars.

Colorado’s biggest weakness may be its lack of great pizza. There is plenty of good, satisfying pizza; pizza that you’re more than happy to eat repeatedly. But not really great pizza; that pizza that is so good that you want to have it every week. I’ve lived in Colorado since 2005 and still haven’t found it. Prior to moving to Colorado I always had one or more pizza places in my neighborhood that I would happily go to every week. I love pizza and this is upsetting, because I love living in Colorado.

So that’s what I’m looking for, pizza so good that I want to have it every week. This blog is devoted to that search and to sampling and reviewing the Colorado pizza culture. I hope to entertain and enlighten you as I partake on this pizza tour.