Junction By The Slice: A Guide to Local Pizza Joints

August 18, 2013 8:08 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Diorios on North
1125 North Ave (970)243-1700
Written by Alyssa Chambers
Diorio’s Pizza is the most convenient pie shop for CMU students living on campus. This authentic New York style pizza parlor is located on North Ave., right across from Houston Hall.
Their pizza is the go-to menu item. It’s made fresh to order every time. Pizza can be ordered by individual slice for $1.95 or the whole pie for $12. Toppings yield an additional charge. The slices are a generous size, and, depending on whether or not you’re a health freak, they’re deliciously greasy.
Other popular menu items are submarines and stromboli. With over 15 sandwiches to choose from, served hot or cold, there’s something for everyone at Diorio’s.
The dining area at Diorio’s is nothing special, a few simple tables with parmesan and crushed red pepper shakers, much like most authentic New York style pizza places, which I consider an indication of what the parlors real focus is, their food.
Diorio’s also delivers between the hours of 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. They are, however, closed on Sundays.
Diorio’s is incredibly convenient for CMU students and serves quality food for a reasonable price.
The only thing missing are late night hours for students who experience midnight munchies.

Pablo’s Pizza
319 Main St. (970)255-8879
Written by Chelsea Chiovitti
Pablo’s Pizza: known for its quirky, fun environment and delicious yet unique pizza, the locally-owned business is a town favorite. Located downtown off Third and Main Street, Pablo’s offers a wide selection of outrageously named pizzas at a reasonable price.
“The Usual,” which is a supreme, is a go-to choice when trying Pablo’s. Other favorites are “Unicorn Force,” “Panthers At the Circus!” and “Dracula’s Nemesis.” Each slice of pizza offers an explosion of unique flavors: Unicorn Force is one of the establishment’s most popular vegetarian pizza comprising of fresh veggies, mozzarella and, surprisingly, pine nuts. “Panthers At The Circus!” consists of marinated chicken, pesto and artichoke hearts. “Dracula’s Nemesis,” is amusingly named so because the pizza has an almost overwhelming amount of garlic and chicken.
There are two student special’s offered: A slice of pizza, a cookie, and a drink for $5.50 or two pieces of pizza, a cookie and drink for $7.50. They will also deliver to campus.
Half of Pablo’s menu is vegetarian-friendly, and gluten-free dough is available for an extra $3.50.

Enzo’s Pizza and Italian Cafe
759 Horizon Drive (970)255-8500
Written by Chelsea Chiovitti
Enzo’s Pizzeria, located off Horizon Drive, has a sports bar theme with an overwhelmingly large wine selection. The lunch special consists of any non-specialty, two-topping pizza slice and a drink, $7.00. The pizza is satisfying despite not being anything special, and slices are portioned very generously. The environment is very cozy and seems to be a frequent spot for large dining parties and families. The service is excellent, and the menu offers a large variety of different entrees to pick from. Overall, the pizza is decent. I would only recommend Enzo’s if you’re seeking other forms of Italian food and are willing to pay a semi-steep price, or for its extensive wine selection. Enzo’s does have a Tuesday night special which consists of unlimited meatballs and spaghetti, and a student special is in the works.

Pantuso’s Ristorante
755 Horizon Dr. (970)255-0000
Written by Levi Meyer
There’s a little boy filling up tiny water glasses and towels for napkins. I’ve never had such high expectations for pizza.
Located in the Clarion Inn on Horizon Drive, Pantuso’s is inaccessible to walking college students and a pricy venture on any pizza budget. The atmosphere is much like any other interstate restaurant, packed to the brim with senior citizens and weary travelers. It’s not the natural habitat of the college coed.
However, people go to pizza joints to eat delicious pizza ­— and that’s where Pantuso’s delivers. (They’ll deliver to your house, too).
Pantuso’s has practiced pizza for over 50 years, and practice has made (nearly) perfect. Expect a majestic pie, drenched in cheese and loaded with toppings. Everything in the restaurant is made from scratch, and the ingredients are fresh. Pantuso’s has less-than-speedy delivery, but the result is worth the wait.
The 18-inch Pantuso’s Supreme is a disheveled pizza collossus and creates quite the mess. But a messy pizza is a good pizza, and this pizza is pretty damn messy.
If you choose Pantuso’s, carry it out or have it delivered to your home. The restaurant itself isn’t very student friendly. But if you’re in it for the pizza, Pantuso’s is a solid choice.

Junction Square Pizza
119 7th St. (970)254-8844
Written by Evan Linko
This is some pretty by-the-book deep dish. It’s got the crunchy crust, the soft-ish center and that good old greasy cheese on top.
Located on 7th St., just around the corner from Main St., Junction Square has that traditional pizza-shop atmosphere that you would expect, and they’ve been that staple in Grand Junction for as long as this local can remember.
Aside from a really solid pie (which is square, as per the name) the restaurant offers a mean antipasto salad. With a good meat/cheese to vegetable ratio, it goes just fine with vinegar and oil. Leave the ranch somewhere else, and don’t you dare try to dip this pizza in it.
If you’re looking for the new hip pizza joint with wacky pizza names and weird ingredients, this is not the place. If you want deep-dish, a salad, and checkered tablecloths, go here.

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