10+ Restaurants join the 2023 Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel

May 15, 2023

Pizza, desserts & brews, oh my!

Get ready for a night of tasty food and friendly competition during the 2023 Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel on Saturday, May 27 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Once again, Tucson Originals is hosting the cheesy event at Fresco Pizzeria and Pastaria, located at 3011 E. Speedway Blvd. If it’s your first time hearing about this event, some of Tucson’s top pizzerias go slice for slice in a battle for pizza supremacy.

2023 Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel (Photo courtesy of Tucson Originals)

Each year, the Pizza Throwdown features local pizzerias competing for the title of “Pizza Throwdown Champion.” Plus, did you notice there’s a “dessert duel” in the title of this event? This portion of the competition features some of the Tucson Originals restaurants competing for the best sweet bite.

Also, it’s warmin’ up outside so Barrio Brewing Company and Firetruck Brewing Company will be on-site pouring their locally brewed beers.

For $50 per person, all guests will receive three drink tickets and all of the pizza and desserts desired.

This year’s competitors include:

Rocco’s Little Chicago
Vero Amore
Mama’s Pizza
Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria
Empire Pizza
Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant
Zio Peppe
FireTruck Pizza Company
Dante’s Fire
The Dutch
…and more to be announced

Fresco Pizzeria and Pastaria is located at 3011 E. Speedway Blvd. For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

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Article By

Matt Sterner

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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