Stop 017: Rico's (Englewood)

Rico's Pizzeria

Location:  3500 S. Broadway, Englewood CO 80113

As I pulled into the parking lot I was greeted by the "pizza creep",  which can be found on a wooden sign just yards away from the entrance of this charming pizzeria.

I don't know how you are supposed to feel after looking at this guy, but I certainly would not want to see this guy holding a pizza in my bedroom window at night.

NO CREDIT CARDS, NO DELIVERY! I like their confidence, but I'm not so sure their product can back it up...  After considering all aspects of my experience with Rico's I think it is important to mention that the service was excellent and the staff was friendly.  The atmosphere was cozy and modest with enough charm to make me regret taking my pizza for carry out purposes.  Someone else might replace my use of the words "cozy and modest" with "cramped and dingy".  These are the same people who might get excited about the development of new strip mall because it can lure in new chains from around the country!   Stepping away from generic social commentary, I think it is fair to say that Rico's is an authentic pizzeria with a strong base of local support deserving of a stop from the pizza train.  Where the debate lies in, is how good their pizza actually tastes.  I like the puffy style crust, which had substance and tasted good enough to support something better than their pedestrian sauce and lousy cheese.  Rico's cheese was on the cheaper end of the solids made from milk spectrum (the kind that gets kinda gross when it cools).  I believe this pizza loses most of it's value when it hits the refrigerator, so eat it while it's hot!  My buddy who ate  a slice with me offered his opinion by telling me he would not respect any of my reviews if I gave this pizza more than 2 fingers, so...

Stop 016: Pizzeria Locale (Baker)

Pizzeria Locale

Location:  550  Broadway, Denver CO 80203

I must admit, due to all the hype, I came into this review wanting to dislike this product. It felt like meeting an ex-lover's new romantic interest.  You heard a lot about them, and they were nice enough when we first met, but upon further scrutiny more flaws were unveiled.  If you look at the picture above, you can tell that Pizzeria Locale is a good looking pie that comes in a 6 slice serving.  However, after my first 2 slices, I saw past its good looks and my opinion of their pizza dropped significantly.  The best way to describe this pizza is Chipotle does Grimaldi's.  You walk up to a counter, you pick your sauce, you pick your toppings, and the pizza is placed into a hyper speed oven that cooks your pizza in less than 2 minutes giving it an authentic appearance and texture.  However, I really think I can taste the imperfections of the 2 minute bake.  The sauce is kinda runny and the crust is hot/charred, yet on the soggier side of things.  I had the veggie pizza and I must say the ingredients are fantastic and fresh.   The sauce had a solid tomato-centric taste, but he problem was the fact that they use a Grimaldi wanna be crust and the 90 second bake, which can't quite "fake the funk" with the taste buds of the Denver Pizza Train.

Stop 015: Famous Pizza (Baker)

Famous Pizza

Location:  98 S. Broadway  Denver, CO 80209

I need to start off by saying that there is nothing famous about Famous Pizza.  I have trouble getting past the name.   Who's famous pizza is it?  I want to know who made this cocky proclamation...
Their pizza is decent.   I went with a slice of pepperoni, and as you can tell by the photo, you couldn't  take a bite without encountering a roni.  I can't explain why, but it has a generic high school cafeteria taste going for it, which did not stop me from enjoying my slice.  Famous Pizza has a "doughy" texture that helps to fill up the consumer more efficiently than many other NYC style slices in town.  The entire time I was sitting in the classic pizzeria dining room I expected the cast from Saved by The Bell to stop in for an after school slice.

Stop 014: Jimano's Pizza (Englewood)

Jimano's Pizza

Location:  2950 S. Broadway  Englewood, CO 
Don't judge a pizza by its photograph.  This pie looks much better than it tastes.  Not that it tastes bad, but it looks voluptuous, but after the first slice the honeymoon is over.  It went for a 5 to a 3 in 2 slices.  I did some research and discovered that Jimano's is an 11 shop chain based out of Illinois.  They specialize in Chicago-style deep dish, so that's what I ordered.  The crust was bland, but not a total disappointment.  They showed some generosity with the cheese distribution, but the sauce was sporadic across the pie, and I think it has lost a little in translation by the time this recipe arrived in Colorado.  I must admit I was a bit disgruntled about the $3 delivery charge and the fact that the chubby teen who brought my pizza, sensing I was disoriented,  systematically galloped to his car with a $9.75 tip. By the time I had a chance to understand that I tipped him the price of the pizza his Jetta was rolling away from my house.  I thought about throwing a snowball at him, but I decided that he will most likely get his ass kicked someday when he is old enough to go to bars, and that is good enough for me.

Stop 013: Bennie Blanco's (Capital Hill)

Bennie Blanco's

Location:  616 E. 13th Ave.  Denver, CO  80203 

Well, so far this is the best drinking slice in town.  Let me refute the negatives that people attach to BB that has nothing to do with their product.  Many people complain about the service, but how bad can anybody fuck up a pizza by the slice transaction unless you let them.  If you don't like the service here, that's fine because your entire experience should  be less than 2 minutes long.  If the guy is being a "dick" don't engage him in conversation, and when you get your slice, just walk away and eat it.  There is no need for exceptional service in a pizza slice shop with no dining area.  Parking is tough, so  grab a slice if you are in the area, don't make it a destination.  I'm sure the residents of Capital Hill could care less if you are having trouble parking a Subaru in their neighborhood to grab a slice of pizza, because BB is designed for foot traffic.  Now let's talk about the pizza...  a single slice of Bennie Blanco's is literally  the size of an infant, and for the meager price of $2.50, what's not to like.   If you manage to make it through the mainland without being filled, the puffy yet crisp crust will  expand in your stomach to leave less room for  future slices.  My only gripe is the sauce is just lightly painted onto the dough which is absorbed by the cheese to bind into a compound element.  Two slices will do the trick for most consumers, but I respect anyone who wants to go 3 or 4.  One of my favorite things about Bennie Blanco's, is that it leaves the eater with a pleasant hint of garlic for reflection.

Author's note:  I returned to Bennie Blanco's within a week of my first experience

Stop 012: Slices (South East)

Slices

Location: 7155 E. Hampden Ave.  Denver, C0 80224

The first thing that hit me about the locally owned and operated Slices was how damn friendly the staff was.  When they told me to have a nice day and comeback sometime I really took it to heart and believe they would really like to see me again at some point in my life.  There are 2 things that make Slices kick some ass and take some names.  1.  Pizza slice drive thru, they are my very first pizza by the slice drive thru experience, and for their location it is a practical pizza survival tactic.  2.  Frozen by the slice, they offer frozen slices for $1.25 each!  That is a fantastic idea, and they blow their supermarket competition away.  The manager explained the win/win scenario to me like this.  Well, we sell it by the slice, but we don't want to sell our customers pizza that has been sitting around all day waiting to jump in the oven because after a certain amount of time the quality of the slice is compromised, so.... To prevent throwing away potential income, and in order to prevent customers from getting a lousey slice, the pizza is flash frozen and stored in a freezer until purchased for the economical price of $1.25 per slice.  Despite the amazing frozen slice price, their pizza is tasty and well worth purchasing at full price.  They have a constant special running which is 2 slices and a beverage for $5.55.  The pizza is thin, and a tad greasy.  The crust was crispy and had some flavor.  It was painted with a sauce that manages to hold its own taste despite the cheese and toppings.  My personal favorite topping combo was the mushroom and spinach which I consumed like a pig at a red light.  It was funny because I hate eating while I drive, and somehow I had an empty Slices box before I got home.  Later that night I fired up a couple of frozen slices, and they were just as good.  Frozen pizza heavyweights like Red Baron might as well get used to a longer stay then expected at the grocery store, because Slices is the new king of my freezer!

* Slices can be warmed up at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes

Stop 011: Anthony's (LoDo)

Anthony's Pizza & Pasta

Location:  1780 16th St.  Denver, CO 80202

First off, Anthony's slice will be hot and it will be of a decent length and width.  The problem with Anthony's  lies in the 3rd dimension.  There is only a slight difference in the thickness of a picture of a slice of Anthony's pizza and an actual slice of Anthony's pizza!  The first descriptive term that comes to mind for this pizza is "flimsy".  To attempt a slice from Anthony's, the fold method is essential for any success in consumption. Even with using the proper method of consumption, I still dripped grease on my chin and winter jacket.  That in mind, a slice from Anthony's is not too shabby.  The sauce is passable and the crust has a good crunch, with enough flavor to hide the flour.    I will continue to patronize Anthony's, it's just nice to know what to expect; a slice that will sway back and forth in a light breeze, decent flavor, and hot greaseness.