www.SanTanSun.com
Neighbors Pizza Factory delivers slice of fun to area by Joan Westlake
When Dawn and Mike Bishop moved to Arizona seven years ago, they saw a need for a restaurant just like what they always wanted to open: a classic pizza place, where everything is made from scratch, the pizzas are hand-tossed in the time-honored tradition and neighbors come for the food and friendliness. The Bishop family, along with sons Greg and Brett, opened the doors to the Pizza Factory at Riggs Road and McQueen on Jan. 15, 2007.
Since their home is just two miles from the restaurant, Dawn says it means their customers really are neighbors.
The T-shirts covering the walls of the pizzeria are evidence of how much the Pizza Factory is part of the community. There’s a big selection of jerseys from local sports teams plus shirts promoting fundraisers and local organizations the Bishop family sponsors.
STSN photo by Gordon Murray TOSS ‘EM: Pizza Factory’s Coy Mathewson hand tosses a pizza for a customer.
Because the food is made from scratch, Greg says people can order their pizza with thin or thick crust and request special dietary touches. Other fresh offerings include hand-tossed pizzas, meatballs, baked lasagna, calzones, pastas and seasoned beef.
“We make our own dough, cut our own vegetables, use real mozzarella cheese and blend our own sauce,” he adds.
The café’s fresh and special philosophy shines in its salad bar ($3.95). There are 20 items including daily freshly boiled eggs, beets, carrots, spinach and pepperoni only seen on better salad spreads. One lunch special, served 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a deli sandwich with a beverage for $6.25; add a salad, $8. Other lunch specials with beverage include ravioli
with meat sauce and garlic bread for $6.25 and a mini- cheese pizza with one topping for $5.95. Winning the hearts and stomachs of locals are the lunches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Thursday ($6.99 or 5.99) and dinner buffets from 5 to 8 p.m. ($6.99 or 7.99), which include the salad bar, bread sticks, a variety of pizzas and a soda.
Diners can also choose from meal-size salads such as the tuna, taco or a hearty antipasto for $6.25 or a delicious array of sandwiches from meatballs to barbecued chicken. Wine and beer are served. Couples and large families alike are comfy at cozy booths or team-sized tables. Televisions broadcast sports and popular shows.
A party room that seats 35 is busy this time of year with company and family celebrations. Those looking
Joan Westlake is a longtime journalist and East Valley resident. She can be reached at
Joan@SanTanSun.com.
for stocking stuffers or gifts for teachers or business colleagues can stop by for gift cards. Parents love that the arcade is in view of the private dining area so they can relax and dine while the kids play video and other games. The outdoor patio with eight large tables attracts the professional lunch bunch looking for a breath of fresh air, moms with kids looking for a break, plus families, friends and singles gathering for the fun of it.
Delivery is available from Val Vista through Sun Lakes and Hunt Highway to Queen Creek. Open daily from 11 a.m. and on Sundays from noon. The Pizza Factory is located at 950 E. Riggs Road. Call 480-814-1970 for more information and delivery. Check out the menu and download coupons at
www.chandler.pizzafactory.com.
Dec. 18 - Jan. 7, 2011
43
Quik Bite Pizza Factory
NW corner of Riggs & McQueen 480-814-1970
RIGGS
MCQUEEN
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