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.
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.
