Get ready for a night of tasty food and friendly competition during the 2024 Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel on Monday, May 27 from 6 – 8 p.m.
Once again, Tucson Originals is hosting the cheesy event at Fresco Pizzeria & 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.

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 MotoSonora Brewing Company will be on-site pouring their locally brewed beers.
For $60 per person ($50 for veterans and active military), all guests will receive three drink tickets and all the pizza and desserts you can handle. If you’re a Tucson Foodie Insider, you can get $10 off! Open the Tucson Foodie App to score the deal.
This Year’s Competitors Include:
- Rocco’s Little Chicago
- Mama’s Pizza
- Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria
- Zio Peppe
- Bollywood Pizza Co
- Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bistro
- Upper Crust Pizza
- Dante’s Fire
- Fiamme Pizza
- Baily’s Artisan Pizza
- New York Pizza
Beverage Providers
- Barrio Brewing Company
- The Brewery at Tirrito Farm
- Moto Sonora Brewery

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 written by:

Matt Sterner
More about MattAt 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.















