Mesa has no shortage of pizza, but there’s a little East Mesa spot quietly turning butter-crust deep dish and Chicago-inspired pies into something locals talk about like a craving, not just a meal. 🍕
At Crave Pizza on East Guadalupe Road, you’re in for Chicago-influenced thin crust, deep dish, butter crust pan pizzas, fresh pasta, hot sandwiches, and even house-made chocolates, all in a cozy, family-run space that feels like your neighborhood’s secret Italian clubhouse. 😋
Why Mesa Keeps Choosing This Cozy East Valley Spot Over Every Other Pizza Joint In Town
Crave Pizza is the “second act” of a crew that already knew how to make Chicago-style pizza blow up in the desert.
The owners originally partnered on Buddyz A Chicago Pizzeria in Queen Creek, where their Chicago-inspired pies drew big crowds, before they split off, moved into Mesa, and rebranded the concept as Crave Pizza, stepping fully into their own thing.
Their official story explains how the move gave them room to refine recipes, build new relationships with local suppliers, and level up the entire menu.
Now, Crave proudly calls itself “the best pizza in East Mesa,” leaning into artisanal pies with Chicago influence, plus fresh pasta and hot sandwiches, as laid out on the Crave Pizza site.
The owners source prime-grade meats from family-owned Gilbert Butchery and fresh vegetables from local farmers, something they say customers taste right away in their pizzas, salads, and appetizers.
On top of that, they hand-make gourmet chocolate candies in house, with flavors like chocolate salted caramel, chocolate Bordeaux, mint meltaways, and truffles, a twist their Our Story page notes customers have rated “better than well-known local and Chicago chocolate stores.” 🍷
Crave leans hard into family-owned warmth and neighborhood hangout energy, staying upfront about being a small, family-run restaurant that treats everyone like family.
The compact layout, a 15-seat dining bar, a 10-seat community table, and a 15-seat patio, gives the place that “everyone’s in on the same secret” vibe described in their Mesa location profile.
The menu reads like a love letter to Chicago-style pizza and Italian-American comfort food, with scratch-made sauces and toppings highlighted on the Crave Pizza menu.
They’ve also built a serious drink program: a large bar with premium wines from Napa, Italy, and beyond, and eight rotating taps of craft beer, plus “very unique adult slushee creations” and a wine club that rewards members with dine-in discounts.
Word has spread enough that Crave now appears on lists of Mesa’s best pizza spots, with recent roundups frequently calling it a must-try for East Valley pizza fans. 🌟
Food Highlights
- Butter Crust Deep Dish: A pan pizza with a rich, buttery base that crisps at the edges and stays tender in the middle, this signature pie delivers that indulgent, fork-and-knife, “this is my whole meal and I’m thrilled about it” experience. 🍕
- Chicago-Style Deep Dish “Meat Craver”: Loaded with multiple meats and blanketed in cheese and sauce, this deep dish is the go-to for serious appetites and group sharing nights. 🍖
- Butter Crust Pizza (Thin & Pan Variations): Available beyond just deep dish, these thinner butter crust pizzas still carry that rich, flavorful base for anyone craving a little decadence without committing to the full deep-dish experience.
- Fresh Pasta Dishes: One of Crave’s proudest recent upgrades, house-made fresh pasta with sauces made to order gives carb lovers another way to enjoy that Chicago-Italian influence beyond just pizza. 🍝
- Hot Sandwiches & Italian-Style Appetizers: From garlic bread and antipasti to shareable starters, these sandwiches and appetizers pair well with a round of drinks and round out a meal built from a mix of pizza, apps, and sandwiches. 🥖
- Chopped & Specialty Salads: Generous toppings and crisp greens make the chopped salad the move for anyone at the table wanting something lighter that’s still part of the full Crave experience. 🥗
- House-Made Chocolates: Crave’s stealth weapon, house-made chocolate salted caramels, chocolate Bordeaux, mint meltaways, and truffles are surprisingly high-end and make ending a pizza night on a chocolate note feel like a no-brainer. 🍫
Atmosphere
Crave Pizza feels like the best kind of neighborhood spot: intimate, lively, and clearly run by people who care about what they’re serving.
The small dining bar, community table, and patio setup encourage conversation between staff and guests, giving it that friendly, lived-in feel of a place regulars claim as “their” pizza joint.
With a full bar, rotating craft beers, and wine from big-name regions, evenings have a relaxed but celebratory vibe, especially on weekends when people linger over a deep dish and a couple of drinks instead of rushing out. 🍷
It’s cozy without feeling cramped, polished without feeling stiff, and very much the kind of place where the staff remembers you after just one visit.
Bottom Line
Head to Crave Pizza in East Mesa for Chicago-influenced thin crust, deep dish, and butter crust pies, fresh house-made pasta and hot sandwiches, locally sourced meats and veggies, serious wine and craft beer options, and surprisingly great house-made chocolates that make this family-run spot one of Mesa’s most crave-worthy hidden gems. 🍕🍷
Address:
7641 E Guadalupe Rd, Ste B111, Mesa, AZ 85212
📞 +1 480-888-0601
🕔 Open Tue–Sat, 4 PM–9 PM; Sun, 3 PM–8 PM (Closed Mon)