Pizza is my husband's favorite past time, other than football. He is always seeking out new pizza shops to try and this was the choice for date night last night. Upon arriving, it didn't look like anything other than a hole in the wall, however, upon entering, you realize that you are at home. This family owned and operated pizza spot really is a hidden gem, with nearly everyone inside welcoming you through the door. We chose seats at the end of the bar in regular chairs. I was SO glad this was an option, as the high barstool chairs cut off circulation in my legs. The counter looks and feels like marble and there are little lights strung up underneath the ledge, setting the mood for the evening. My drink of choice for the evening was a Lemoncello Slushy. I was very happily surprised with how much I liked it. I hear this is their specialty drink, and they do it well! Go ahead and try one when you stop in. I have mild anxiety trying new things, so if I did it, you can too! We ordered our favorite toppings on their Butter crust 14" pizza. It took a while for our order to come out, but it was SO worth the wait. The pizza was piping hot and the cheese was perfectly gooey. Every bite, after I let it cool, was a total hit with my taste buds. When my husband asked me if I was done, I said "eating, yes, wanting more, no!" I am not a major pizza foodie, this pie was divine! Quote of the night, from another patron went something like this, "It is really good pizza, if they give it to you!" Rebecca was dancing around deciding where she really needed to be with the pizza pan on her palm. It was fun all around and I could see that everyone was enjoying their time. We will definitely be back. I look forward to trying some of their other offereings. read more

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This was our first time and we tried the calamari which was hot and very good as a starter. Then got a few drinks while our pizza was being made. This is not a big restaurant and very limited seating, we got lucky as they had 3 open spots at the bar. The owner, was very friendly and attentive. We enjoyed the drinks and definitely the food. We will go back for sure! read more

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Call up Adam Sandler cause this is a real uncut gem. A fantastic little local pizzeria. Such a cute place to dine in and maybe have some cheeky beers. Picking up? The pizza is delicious no matter what and you'll be happy you ordered it. Even after driving home the pizza is hot. This is the real deal! Top tier pizza and food! read more

Crave Pizza - Butter crust meat pizza - Pizza Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

We've lived in AZ for 10 years. This is hands down the best pizza we've had. I'm also obsessed with the chopped salad. Everything we had was so good, the place is adorable and the service was excellent. Can't wait to go back! read more

Finally found a pizza we love in Arizona after 8 years. Coming from Wisconsin we had pizza at least once a week. Had a hard time finding a crispy thin crust. It was awesome. read more

Crave Pizza - Pizza from Crave - Pizza Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Again stopped in to Crave and it did not disappoint!!!! We arrive a little later and we found a place to sit. Full bar and the staff was delightful. read more

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Crave has become our new "go to" place for pizza and a beer. The deep dish pan pizza is not something you can find easily, these guys specialize in deep pan pizza. The employees are all so friendly, very inviting and the food is fantastic. We highly recommend! read more

Great pizza,great service,good nice environment. Small place, I don't think you can fit more than 15 to 20 people. Definitely going back for the pasta and wine next time. read more

This pizza was so delicious!! Got the butter pan crust with ricotta, pepperoni and green pepper!! The crust was crunchy and buttery without being too thick and the toppings were amazing. Lots of cheese which I appreciate! I don't live nearby but will definitely be going back, wish there were more locations!!! read more

Crave Pizza - Butter Pan with Ricotta, Green Pepper and Pepperoni - Pizza Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Prob off the goto list. Pizza good but you have to get past the fact that there's never any where to sit and the attitude of the teenagers wearing their little brother's shirt. Immediately got attitude when we sat down where apparently there was a "reservation" even though there were five other seats at the big table. Too far to drive for the tude. read more

Such a quaint little spot. I love the salads and the thin crust pizza. The service is always quick and with a smile. I'll definitely be back read more

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We came here for one reason: Chicago thin crust or "pub" pizza. Typically cut into squares with a crispy crust and nicely topped with mozz and sausage. Ended up getting a pan and the thin. Food: Took quite a long time to get the food, which is expected for a pan pizza. Partially may be due to the large volume of carry out orders. The thin was a MAJOR disappointment and would not order it again. The butter crust on the pan and the overall taste and quality of the pan was off the chart. It was a bit of a drive for us from QC and we would still come back here for the pan. Blows the competition out of the water! Wife also ordered a salad which was very good and even for a small, enough for 2 to share. Service: Seems like a family run place with younger siblings doing most of the dining and register duty. Service was good, not great. Ambiance: NOT a fan of the layout. There is one large picnic table and bar chairs. Well that's great if you cater to 30 y/o olds, but we wanted to bring our parents and they can not "hop" on a bar stool. There are tables outside, but no heaters and no misters. So not sure what season would be suitable for their use. Overall great pan pizza, I suggest a carry out option. read more

Nice setting. Friendly service. Ordered the small house salad, small fries, and two 10" thin-crust pizzas. Got the assorted chocolate to go. Lots of delicious food, reasonably priced. Would recommend & will definitely be returning. read more

I'd give this place ten stars if I could. Being a pizza nut and a world traveler, I only crave Crave pizza now. I don't want it elsewhere. The butter crust buffalo chicken pizza is my all time favorite, and I'm a pepperoni type of guy. Fabulous salads, and really good people who take care of you!! Owner rotates awesome tap beers and wines out. This place is great read more

This review is strictly for their gluten free crust pizza. I'm not proud of my 3 star review, but it's the best I can do. The most glorious Chicago style gluten free pizza I've ever had is from Deno's Pizza in Surprise, and this one just doesn't compare. The sauce was more tangy than I like, and the crust was not uniformly crispy. The edges were crispy, but the center was soggy. The flavor of the crust had more of an artificial taste, which I'm not a fan of. The restaurant is small. There's only one large table that sits roughly 8-10 people and some bar seating for 12-16 people. Our server was nice and recommended their GF cauliflower crust, but they were all out of that crust the day we visited, so if I find myself in the area again with an urge for pizza, I may stop in to try it! read more

Loved this place. A very small town feel type pizza restaurant. Service was outstanding and as good as the butter crust deep dish pizza. Will be returning soon. Take time to eat some of their chocolate candies and you won't regret it. read more

Crave Pizza - Butter Crust Deep dish supreme pizza - Pizza Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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We tried our first Crave Pizza today and it was deeelicious! I could tell the sauce was homemade and the deep dish butter crust was on point. The sauce tasted like something out of an Italian grandmother's house. Delicious! We also ordered an appetizer that was unique and different and just plain tasty. It was little balls of dough deep fried with a spinach and cheese filling, and served with a sweet/hot pepper jelly sauce. We didn't eat inside, but ordered it to go. My husband wants to try the regular crust or thin crust pizza next time. The deep dish is so filling, we could only eat one piece each. Highly recommended if you want tasty, quality pizza for a good price. read more

First time trying Crave Pizza. We ordered a make your own butter crust deep dish online. It was about a 60 minute wait but it was 6pm on football Sunday so that's to be expected. This pizza was amazing. We loved the butter crust and were surprised that the pizza was thinner on the inside while the crust was nice and deep. This style pizza allowed for the toppings to go right to the edge of the pan making the pizza seem much bigger. The flavor was great and we will definitely be repeat customers. Well done Crave Pizza! read more

Just found this place on yelp. Didn't really know what to expect. I'm also not typically a huge fan of deep dish pizza, but the pictures looked great so we decided to try it. The food was fantastic and the owners and everyone working there are the friendliest people! We started with the cheesy spinach and artichoke balls (I can't remember what they're actually called) and they were so good. They had a great crunch and we're so flavorful. They come with a jalapeño jam that was the perfect contrast to the savory flavor of the spinach and artichoke. We also got a butter crust pizza with sausage, peppers, onions, banana peppers, artichoke, and pineapple. It was fantastic. A perfect crunch crust with a great balance of all the flavors of the toppings. On top of all that, everyone working there was so incredibly friendly and made it such a great time. We would go out of our way to go back, but thankfully we live close by and can make it regularly! read more

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Had a very good experience at this location yesterday. The pizza was excellent with a crispy buttery crust. It was perfect. The owner is on premises and very approachable. He let us sample some of his wife's homemade chocolates (better than Fannie May Melt-Aways). Very clean, although small. One large 10-12 person table and bar seating where many people were eating. Plenty of pick-up orders shows he (Randy, the owner) is doing a good business. Prices were very fair, unbelievable dessert (fried dough lightly rolled in cinnamon comes with 3 dips...raspberry, chocolate and Carmel. You need to give this place a try. Great looking sandwiches, which I will try on my next visit. Tell Randy Wendy from Chicago referred you! read more

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cravepizzaaz Crave pizza in the East-east valley is a "Chicago inspired" pizza spot that rival Salernos just a few miles away. I went with my go-to Chicago pizza order- thin, pie cut. Rumor has it crave is the spinoff from the former owners of Buddyz . Crave rates at a 7.1 for me and was a big hit with the wife which is rare! read more

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The food is really good and fresh. I personally prefer the thin crust, but my family loves the butter crust. Very cool people that run the joint and you'd never find it unless you stumbled across it or somebody told you about it. read more

Best pizza in the East Valley! You should not waste your time anywhere else, I travel for work and anytime I'm home this is the first place I go! read more

Ok- is this real life? The second my husband and I walked in I was salivating by the smell of the food. It's a small place and there weren't any tables open so we found the last two seats at the bar. The service was great throughout the whole meal. We ordered the fried mozzarella balls to start. Perfectly fried, no oily taste, and they were nice and hot. The marinara also came out warm and hits you in the face with garlic...but delish! For dinner I went for the BYOP with rigatoni, with crave (vodka) sauce, and meatballs. The sauce is truly crave-able with the very slightest kick. The pasta had to be homemade- literally I want more of it like right now. And the meatballs were huge- but the perfect ratio to the amount of pasta. They were moist (sorry but they were) and well seasoned. My husband got the BBQ chicken pizza on butter crust. Seriously the crust is insane. Like how is it so perfect? Not too thick, has a good crispness and omg the butter flavor. *drool* Against better judgement, we had dessert. Opted for the fried dough balls for something a *tad* lighter. They were rolled in cinnamon sugar, nice and airy, and it came with three dipping sauces. DELISH. My new favorite place for Italian food nearby. Thank you for a wonderful meal and keep it up!! read more

Best pizza I've ever eaten and I've had lots of pizzas! I would definitely go again! Their thick crust is the best!

We found them!!! If you loved Buddyz, pizza this is them! Don't be tricked going to "that other place". They have some new items and their pizza is exactly what we loved from the original Buddy'z. Never ever have I had a deep dish pizza where not only the crust is crunchy but the bottom is too! They don't skimp on the toppings and it just all tastes great. My only issue is it's a tiny location. Once they start doing online ordering we will be getting it to go. Service is great. People are still great! I'm not even a huge pizza person but their pizza is just done well. read more

Omggggggg I love their pizza I drive almost 30 minutes a few times a month to get it Great service as well.

This place has amazing pizza and pasta with a robust variety of wines. Seating is a little constrained and hours of operation are slim. Great hospitality and the staff make you feel welcome. read more

THE BEST CHICAGO PIZZA OUTSIDE OF ILLINOIS! We ordered a pepperoni deep dish and a sausage, green pepper & mushroom thin crust plus an order of "toast" (a bruschetta like appetizer with ricotta, pepper jam, prosciutto and arugula on whole grain bread). Toast was tasty and would be big enough for three people. We had a couple of craft IPAs and a frozen margarita which hit the spot on this hot summer day. When the pizza arrived - OMG! We had forgotten how good pizza could be! Great sauce, cheese, crust, toppings...! We were too full to try any of their desserts. The restaurant is small - a large family style table and bar seating. Several TVs were on showing sports. We were fortunate to get Isabelle as a server - the same server we had when we first went to Buddy'z in Gilbert (the owners' former restaurant). We will be back! read more

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Pizza reminds me of home. We are from Illinois and haven't been able to find the Chicago style thin crust we love. But Crave has it! Yum!

Crave is the pizza place that folks in Arizona and in particular the East Valley need to experience! Crave could use more hours but it doesn't need them it does plenty of business with the hours it is open. Crave is consistent--whether it be the thin crust, butter crust or deep dish, the flavor and quality remain perfect. This is the pizza that Chicago transplants need to remind them of their roots and those from other places to experience the perfect pizza. There is a rumor that great Chicago-style pizza is because of the Lake Michigan water, Crave proves that's a wives tale! So what are you waiting for? Instead of reading this--Go and experience the symphony of ingredients that make Crave a true culinary necessity. read more

Crave Pizza - Look! It's cut in squares! OMG! Now that's true Chicago-style! - Pizza Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Very greasy pizza.. not enough spices on the pizza..If u order, get it to go. The restaurant is very very small. Only probably fits 15 people max.. Won't be going back there. There's plenty of other pizza places that are so much better. read more

I live in the East Valley but this is still a trek to get to but oh so worth it. If you are craving (ha-ha) a Chicago Style Pizza then Crave is where it is at in Phoenix. So don't order early and arrive to just pick up. Go the the restaurant, unfortunately small, mostly bar seat (but kids can sit there too). Order your pizza, we all know it takes 45+ mins, and enjoy some beer nuggets and a libation (wine or beer). The beer nuggets are best when enjoyed fresh and hot, salivating thinking about then. I had an adult slushy, whiskey and coke, not for the light-weight!! The owners have always been there when I have been in are a joy to talk to. Perfect timing, pizza is ready to go. read more

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Food was great! We walked in at 8:00pm, and a woman with a saccharine smile reminds us that their kitchen closes at 8:30. If they don't want customers at 8pm, they should advertise earlier closing hours than 9pm on Yelp. We got a calzone & veggie pizza plus dinner salad. Food was really good but here come the annoyances. We were charged $.25 for salad dressing and a credit card fee of 3%. Hate the nickel & diming. Our server was attentive but the overcast of the restaurant not wanting us there an hour before closing on a Saturday night discolored the visit. read more

I have no idea what kind of pizza most these reviewers typically eat, or where they get it, but the thin crust pizza here is mediocre at best. Called for a pickup of large pizza and a salad - was told it's be an hour, cool - see ya in an hour. After showing, paying and tipping approximately 10 mins early the hostess says it'll still be 10-15 mins - no worries, I'm early right? Lol, I waited another 25 mins with zero apologies or "thanks for your patience" (after tipping 10 bucks no less). Watched a lady, presumably the owner, walking around and talking to a couple ppl, either neighbors or locals and she was lamenting about how she had been doing the dishes due to how busy it was...there were 14 ppl total and 6-7 employees (that I saw). Guy who came in a couple mins after me told me he had been waiting nearly 45 mins, get this - for a meatball sub!! It was truly comical in the worst way. The Caesar salad was pedestrian with store bought dressing and the thin crust pizza was greasy, and the cheese/toppings all slid right off on each attempt of a bite, and had to eat it with a fork and knife *insert facepalm here*. The place looked clean and the pizza was hot, so for that I gave it 2 stars, but if you want legitimately phenomenal Chi-town 'tavern' style pizza go straight to either of the VITO's locations - it will knock your socks off. read more

The pizza here is very good. Girls were very nice when I came in to pick up my online order. No complaints on the taste of the food or service. My only complaint is the price vs size of the caprese salad. I feel like $14 for a wee salad is a bit steep! Was very good but so small, much smaller than expected when looking at the photo online. Maybe I misjudged but it was tiny. read more

The butter crust is fabulous- the space is small - and the line for a pizza is long!!! This place needs to grow so they can accommodate all the people craving their pizza! read more

I just wish they have some curbside spots I feel bad that they have to walk out and scan for find the right vehicle lol but staff is very friendly and the pizza is really good! First time we tried the thin crust it was a lot of food but was super flavorful, second time we tried the butter crust? It's similar to a deep dish? It was really good let's put it this way my wife doesn't usually eat crust she always leaves it and throws it out she didn't leave it or throw anything out so that's saying something! We like to get there fries as a side there good too not to salty or over cooked just right! Please don't change anything what your doing now is great! We will be back see you soon! read more

Crave Pizza - Outside store front wish there was more spots closer for curbside - Pizza Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Very friendly staff. Excellent deep dish pizza. It's as good as any pizza I have ever had in my hometown of Chicago. Probably the best I've had since moving to phoenix area 5 years ago. Will definitely be going back on a regular basis for my deep dish pizza fix. read more

I usually get a take out deep dish Chicago style pizza which is always fantastic. The food looks terrific when I see them serving their customers but this is the only place I get my pizza from. The staff is always friendly read more