Long-Delayed Pizza Restaurant Finally Opening In Greater Phoenix

A new pizza restaurant is finally opening.Photo byKlara KulikovaonUnsplash

Earlier in the year, a Houston-based pizza restaurant with historical ties to Italy announced it would make its Arizona debut in Mesa. However, the restaurant was originally supposed to open in the spring of 2024. As the calendar suggests, spring has come and gone and we are now fully enthralled in the middle of autumn (which, ideally, should bring down temperatures and AC bills). There were a number of delays with making the move, though it appears to finally be ready to launch in the Valley, with the possibility of additional locations to come. 

There were rumors of a Russo’s New York Pizzeria opening in Mesa all the way back in the winter of 2023. The brand wanted to move west from its Texas location, and metro Phoenix made the most sense. It had the largest population footprint and was continuing to grow. The overall goal of the brand was to launch 100 new restaurants by 2026. If the other restaurants have gone through the same kind of delays as the Mesa location that lofty goal likely will not come to fruition. However, as for the local restaurant, things are finally starting to look as if an opening is in the near future. 

Anthony Russo was the son of a first-generation Italian immigrant and grew up in New Jersey. He learned to cook and prepare traditional Italian cuisine with his grandparents. Eventually, the family moved to Galveston, Texas in the 70s and Anthony’s father opened Russo’s Italian Restaurant. A decade later, Anthony opened his own pizza restaurant, named Russo’s Pizza. It was a small, 800-square-foot shop, which he worked until expanding. By 1992, the first Russo’s New York Pizzeria opened in Houston, and it has continued to expand since. Including (soon) Arizona.

The Russo’s New York Pizzeria will open at 4537 South Power Road in Mesa. This is across the street from Taproom 120 and the Mattress Firm South Power Road location, and just north of the 202 connection with South Power. Some of the delays with the launch of the new restaurant are with the construction of the building. It is an entirely new shopping center and, as you might guess, there were various delays in the completion of the buildings (and the extremely hot summer certainly didn’t help). 

Finishing touches are being placed on the building and a new opening date should be announced soon, though there isn’t an exact date of yet. You should expect to see the restaurant finally open before the end of the year. But, when it comes to quality pizza, waiting a few extra months is worth it.