If you’re looking for good New York-style pizza near Taos, Pizanos Pizza is your place.
This non-descript pizza place is right on State Highway 150 between Taos Ski Valley and El Prado, just a few miles outside of Taos Plaza.
There are not many places in town where you can get pizza – Pizza Outback is another option, but you won’t get a traditional New York-style pie.
It’s easy to drive past Pizano's because you’ll be busy gaping at the mountains right in front of you. To help, when they’re open, they put a big red and white out front near the driveway.
After you pull into the gravel driveway, you’ll enter a classic New York-style pizza parlor. It’s filled with small tables spread throughout multiple small rooms. Unfortunately, they’re still not hosting dining in eating – carryout only. But it’s no bother because that’s the way good New York-style pizza is meant to be eaten – on the go.
The restaurant carries all the expected items, including breadsticks, pasta, salad, wings, and an item called “tunnels,” which in the Midwest we refer to as pizza rolls. Some of the pizza has New Mexico green chile on top, of course.
Being a single traveler and a first-time visitor, I ordered a slice of pepperoni and was pleasantly surprised when it came out large and looking like a New York-style pie should – thin and greasy.
The crust was just the right texture, not too crisp, thick, or crackery, but a pleasing doughy crust that you can fold in half like you’re supposed to. It was cheesy and the pepperoni was just right. Not too spicy like it sometimes is.
I got two giant chocolate chip cookies for $3 served to go in a plastic sandwich bag for dessert. The cookies were OK. They were a bit too well done and dry and somehow lacked the flavor chocolate chip cookies usually have – too little vanilla and imitation butter, I’d guess. But the cookies weren’t the point, so that’s OK.
The customer service was top-notch. The staff was friendly, greeting me as soon as I walked in the door. They offered helpful advice on the menu and were prompt about getting orders out. They created a friendly environment that’s I’ll be happy to visit again.
So if you’re in the area and want some authentic New York-style pizza, you can’t go wrong stopping by Pizano's.
Find them at 23 State Highway 150 or at www.TaosPizza.com