Pizza Throwdown & Dessert Duel Returns on May 17

April 23, 2025

Pizza, desserts, and beers — oh my!

Some of Tucson’s top pizzerias will go slice for slice in a battle for pizza supremacy!

The 2025 Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel is happening on Saturday, May 17, from 6 – 8 p.m. Once again, Tucson Originals is hosting the cheesy event at Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria, located at 3011 E. Speedway Blvd.

Throughout the event, you’ll be able to sample unlimited slices and desserts, and then vote to crown this year’s “Pizza Throwdown Champion” and “Dessert Duel Winner.”

To complement the food, Barrio Brewing will be on-site, pouring a curated selection of local brews.

2025 Participants

Rocco’s Little Chicago
Mama’s Pizza
Fiamme Pizzeria Napoletano
Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria
Zio Peppe
Bollywood Pizza Co.
Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bistro
Empire Pizza
Dante’s Kitchen + Cocktails
More TBA…

Tickets are $65 per person and include three drink tickets and unlimited tastings of pizza and desserts throughout the evening.

Tucson Originals Restaurants is a group of independently owned local restaurants, purveyors, and partners working together to raise awareness of the culinary community in Tucson.

The Pizza Throwdown & Dessert Duel is happening at Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria, 3011 E. Speedway Blvd. For more information and to purchase 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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