Penelope Pizza

Update: Just had the 10 layer lasagna. Top notch!! Update: I have eaten all the pizzas on their menu over the past several months. Still 5 stars!! Consistently excellent and i challenge anyone to name a better pizza in Tucson ——————————————- FIVE.STARS. Hands down the BEST wood fired pizza in Tucson. Before writing this review, I tried almost every pizza on the current menu. All of them were hits!! An eclectic mix for all discerning tastes. Salads are fresh and flavorful Desserts are delicious and can’t miss. And we really liked we could take our time. The service there is relaxed and attentive. With how expensive it is to eat out nowadays (for average food), this place is reasonable and offers great value. You might have to wait for a table, but it’s worth it.

This place gets it. From the moment you walk in, the vibe is effortlessly hip—modern, laid-back, and designed for people who actually want to sit, chill, and enjoy their pizza (no awkward standing tables or juggling slices here). The pizza is next-level: perfectly blistered crust, high-quality toppings, and flavors that feel both creative and comforting. You can tell real thought went into every combo, not just what looks good on Instagram (though, yes, it absolutely does). The drink menu is just as dialed in—well-crafted, refreshing, and clearly curated to pair with the food instead of distracting from it. Add in friendly, attentive service that never feels rushed, and you’ve got a spot that’s easy to settle into and hard to leave. This is the kind of pizza place you recommend without hesitation—cool without trying too hard, cozy without being boring, and absolutely deserving of five stars. A huge Thank You to Jared and his team for bringing this spot to the Eastside of Tucson!!!

If you are a pizza lover and gluten-free, like me, you’ve probably been terribly disappointed numerous times. When I saw that Penelope’s has a gluten-free crust that requires 24 hours notice to create, I was filled with excitement-and hope. When I opened the box, I saw 6 pieces of what looked like focaccia bread with pizza topping. I was worried I picked up the wrong order. I called. I was told by the very polite gentleman who answered that that’s the gluten free crust they are able to make with the Italian flour they import. A round thin crust pizza just didn’t work in their ovens. However, he assured me that I wouldn’t be disappointed, that it is the best gluten-free crust he has ever eaten. BTW, my husbands, regular crust pizza, the Nina, looked (and according to him tasted) fabulous. Just like you’d expect a wood-fired pizza to look. Unfortunately, the kind responder to my dilemma was wrong. I was very once again terribly disappointed. I don’t normally eat focaccia because it is so thick. It is more like bread that pizza crust. Just as this was. So, in short, the crust was a bust! I’ll have to keep on looking.

I enjoyed the 10-layer meat lasagna, as recommended by the hostess as “one of (her) favorites”. It was a very generous portion! Fresh flavor! Four tv screens (2 sports and 2 regular shows) above the bar provided fun distraction beyond the lively piped in music. Team service! Open kitchen! I probably would have enjoyed this meal with a friend….

This place did not disappoint. The food was absolutely amazing and worth a rather long wait. Service was also very good. Rather loud inside the restaurant but good still carry on conversation. They also have outdoor seating.

We came here a couple weeks ago for a double date and had such a great experience! Between the four of us, we sampled several dishes and they were all fantastic. The margherita pizza with lemon parm was incredible, and the mortadella appetizer—oh my gosh, so good! The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was the olive oil cake, but that’s just because I’m not a big fan of olive oil desserts. We did have to wait about an hour for a table (around 5 PM on a Saturday), but it was absolutely worth it. We can’t wait to go back!

Definitely worth the hype. Lasagna was a huge portion, definitely 10 layers. OTC pizza paired perfectly and was outstanding! Absolutely delicious pizza. Can’t wait to come back and try the other offerings. Great service! Busy and bustling, but attentive staff.

Really good pizza and drinks. We ordered a salad and pizza and it was enough for 2, plus we had leftovers. We ordered a classic pepperoni. Best part is that it's soy free!