For years, Mama’s Famous Pizza & Heroes has been considered a Tucson essential for pizza. The slices at Mama’s are gargantuan and when dining in you’re surrounded by classic pizza joint nostalgia — arcade machines, stained glass, and families gathered around tables.

Unfortunately, Mama’s has dwindled down to just three locations. The spot at 22nd Street and Kolb Road, 6996 E. 22nd St., has officially closed its doors.

The restaurant first opened on Long Island in New York in 1979 before making its way to Tucson. The family had strong ties to Tucson and move to the Old Pueblo to be closer to their parents, which then led to opening their very first Mama’s Famous Pizza & Heroes near the University of Arizona in 1981.

That specific location closed in 2001 due to the renovation of the university business district.

Luckily, for Mama’s fans and pizza lovers in general, there are three other locations in Tucson — one in midtown (Speedway Boulevard), another on the east side (Broadway and Houghton), and one near Oro Valley (Magee Road).

Mama’s Famous Pizza & Heroes is located at 4500 E. Speedway Blvd., 50 S. Houghton Rd. # 190, and 7965 N. Oracle Rd. #6346. For more information, visit mamasfamous.com.

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