Just a couple of months ago, Penelope Pizza expanded, moving out of Cartel Roasting’s downtown location and into the former FireTruck Pizza Company spot on the east side (210 E. Broadway Blvd.)
Well, the absence of pizza was brief!
Lumbre Pizza A La Leña will soon open at 210 E. Broadway Blvd. #3, once again utilizing the wood-fired pizza oven near the back of the coffee shop.
Owner Leo Garcia, who’s a big fan of Neapolitan-style pies, got his start in the pizza business while working at Fiamme Pizza. Eventually, he opened his own business, the Family Joint Pizza food truck in Green Valley, which also became popular in Tucson.
Then, earlier this year, he debuted the Lumbre Pizza A La Leña — a food truck that can stay put here in Tucson while the other fed folks in Green Valley. Now, he’s ready and all fired up about his newest cheesy venture: a permanent pizza joint location in downtown Tucson.
Garcia has much love for the Green Valley community, Tucsonans, and surrounding areas, crediting them for his success in the food scene.
“Since I started, my number one commitment has been to share and spread the love I have for my culture and the amazing food we create in our Hispanic heritage — tying it all together with a food practically everyone loves, pizza,” he shared. “Together, the two have created a taste so wonderful, one I am so passionate about, and it’s been proven by all of you. All of you who have been there from the beginning and are still here, those who traveled because of word of mouth, and those who are completely new but took the chance… THANK YOU.”
When it comes to pizza toppings, they’re incorporating chorizo, carne asada, and elote — you can order standalone elote, too, if you don’t want it atop your pie.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Garcia catered a skating event here in Tucson featuring Bam Margera. The opportunity ought to continue piling up for Garcia as he expands into the downtown coffee shop.
“It has been an amazing journey since we started in 2020,” Garcia shared. “All the highs and the lows have made this moment worth waiting for. We can’t wait to continue sharing our love and our version of wood-fired pizza to everyone. We thank you all for helping us get this far. It’s time to show up and show OUT!”
There isn’t a specific grand opening date just but stay tuned.
Lumbre Pizza A La Leña is moving in at 210 E. Broadway Blvd. #3, inside Cartel Roasting Co. For more information and to keep up with the latest, follow Lumbre Pizza A La Leña on Instagram.
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.
