This Tucson Pizzeria Cracks The Top 50 In National Pizza Ranking

TUCSON, AZ — If you needed another reason to swing by Penelope Pizza, here's one: the Tucson pizzeria just earned a spot on a national list ranking the best pizza in the country.

Penelope Pizza came in at No. 41 on the 50 Top Pizza USA 2026 ranking, a list compiled by anonymous inspectors who evaluate pizzerias across the country.

The rankings don't just judge the pizza itself. Inspectors weigh the full experience, including service, cleanliness, atmosphere, how a restaurant handles a wait and its wine and beverage program.

Reviewers praised Penelope's atmosphere and transparency, noting the two visible ovens separated from the dining room by a glass partition, which lets guests watch the pizza-making process unfold.

The service stood out too, described as friendly and knowledgeable, with staff well-versed in the restaurant's history dating back to its pop-up days.

On the menu, the Bubba pizza drew attention for its balance of garlic oil, pickled green onions, artichokes, mozzarella, arugula, ricotta and lemon cheese. The OTC leans more indulgent, topped with red sauce, Ezzo cup and char pepperoni, mozzarella, Parmesan, hot honey and ricotta. Inspectors also noted the dough's flavor and texture, calling out its soft crumb and pleasant crispiness.

From Food Truck to National Recognition

Penelope Pizza's story started in the early days of the pandemic. Founder Jared Schwartz, who spent years working in Phoenix's restaurant industry before moving to Tucson, began selling DIY pizza kits in February 2020 using a borrowed dough mixer. By that summer, he was running a food truck out of a converted GMC pickup, cruising Tucson's quiet pandemic-era streets.

A chance meeting at Cartel Coffee turned into a partnership, and Schwartz transformed the coffee shop's wood-fired oven into a pizza-making operation. From there, Penelope Pizza grew into the brick-and-mortar restaurant it is today at 800 N. Kolb Road.

Penelope Pizza describes its mission as making pizza that reflects local flavors while honoring traditional methods and supporting other local businesses.