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Transplant Pizza on River to close after Aug. 26

Transplant Pizza (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Transplant Pizza on River to close after Aug. 26

Aug 18, 20252 min read

Transplant Pizza Tucson will close its River Road and La Cholla Boulevard location after service on Tuesday, Aug. 26. A sign posted at the door thanked customers for their support and invited them to visit the Speedway Boulevard location at 4605 E. Speedway Blvd.

Additionally, owner Travis Miller confirmed the team looks forward to strengthening its existing restaurants.

“We look forward to focusing our efforts back into our existing businesses,” Miller said. “We are excited about the future and look to strengthen our existing concepts for 2025 and beyond. Thank you Tucson for your continued support for our local businesses, and other Tucson small businesses that need some local love.”

Transplant Pizza (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Serial Grillers roots at River and La Cholla

In January 2017, the Millers opened this space as the second location of their Serial Grillers concept. Serial Grillers, a local pizza and sandwich shop known for its horror-inspired menu, operated there for eight years.

The River and La Cholla storefront converted into Transplant Pizza Tucson on March 12, 2025, bringing Detroit-style pies to the west side. The closure comes five months after that opening.

Next Steps for the Space

Miller said the team is seeking a new tenant for the River and La Cholla site.

“We are leaving all equipment, tables and chairs and everything you need to start your own concept,” Miller said.

Pepperoni pizza — Detroit-style deep-dish (Photo courtesy of Transplant Pizza)
Pepperoni pizza — Detroit-style deep-dish (Photo courtesy of Transplant Pizza)

Original Transplant Pizza Tucson location remains open

Meanwhile, Transplant Pizza’s original location at 4605 E. Speedway Blvd. remains open daily for lunch and dinner. That spot, which launched in 2021 inside Craft, A Modern Drinkery, continues to serve Detroit-style square pizzas alongside other menu favorites.

Fans of Transplant Pizza Tucson can find more coverage on the original launch of the Speedway location

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. Best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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