Because the story goes, almost twenty years in the past, customized dwelling builders Rick Freedman and Doug Stanton had an concept to create a wanted gourmand pizza restaurant in Sedona.
The 2 went all in, opening Pizza Picazzo’s in 2002. Almost a yr later, the restaurant expanded south to a comfy house off of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Scottsdale Street close to Scottsdale Quarter.
Then, just a few years later, Picazzo’s revolutionized its delicacies by with a wholesome tackle the comforting Italian dish, giving delivery to Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen.
“We began with an natural, entire wheat crust, after which it didn’t make sense to not have an natural sauce and all cleaner elements,” stated Picazzo’s managing accomplice Chris Disney. “So, we began going by way of studying labels and actually sort of obtained down to each ingredient.”
The corporate’s greatest step in a more healthy route got here when it supplied gluten-free pizza.
“Gluten-free was sort of our first step into that to be somewhat distinctive. And together with the gluten-free got here a variety of requests for egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free, natural, and all these different dietary requests, so lead with what the friends have been calling for,” Disney stated.
Amongst these dishes is the Elote Pizza, a 12” pizza that accommodates a butter garlic sauce, mozzarella cheese, corn, crimson onions, herbed parmesan, cilantro, and a spicy chipotle sauce drizzled throughout the highest of the pie.
Then there’s the Mom Earth Salad with has candy potatoes, quinoa, apples, candied walnuts, avocado, radish, avocado agave mustard dressing that sits atop a mattress of combined greens.
And the Lasagna Bolognese has contemporary lasagna noodles, mozzarella, ricotta, herbed Parmesan, marinara and the signature turkey Bolognese.
Although the restaurant stayed afloat by way of the Nice Recession and the pandemic, inflation and backlogs within the provide chain are the brand new hurdles that Picazzo’s is working to beat.
“Now we have merchandise that (are) not simply bulk the place you possibly can have substitutions,” Disney stated. “We’ve been out of inventory on a variety of objects and sort of fought by way of that.”
Along with shedding objects on the menu, Disney has been challenged by the employee scarcity.
“Staffing has been a problem since lots of people couldn’t work, they’d as a result of they couldn’t discover childcare when faculties have been sort of shut down there for somewhat bit and daycares have lengthy wait instances, so there’s a variety of various factors affecting the labor market,” Disney stated.
Disney offers all of the credit score on the planet to the workers who’ve caught with Picazzo’s by way of thick and skinny through the years.
“On the finish of the day, now we have fairly good tenure,” he stated. “Now we have lots of people which have been right here with us for 20 years after which down to 6 months from the possession to even bussers. I’ve had a few bussers which have been right here for 15 years.”
Disney additionally credit Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen’s longevity to its dedication to searching for workers enter on its operations.
“It’s open communication,” Disney defined. “I really feel just like the communication and collaboration half is necessary even from the administration facet.
“If one thing’s not working and (workers) really feel like they’re doing one thing mundane, we’re sufficiently small to the place we will make modifications however giant sufficient to the place there needs to be sort of a course of.”
Disney additionally says that making a tradition of care is a recipe for longevity.
“Lots of eating places are recognized for being hostile because it’s a tough work setting with quicker days, so somewhat kindness can go a good distance on this business and that has a variety of legs to it for us,” Disney stated.
That very same kindness will probably be given to clients on Wednesday, Nov. 9. as Picazzo’s will supply clients “wholesome hour” specials all day lengthy on meals and drinks, $20 present playing cards to the primary 20 clients at every location, and an opportunity to win a $200 present card to individuals who take a photograph at their nearest restaurant and tag Picazzo’s within the image when it’s posted on Instagram.
Past the one-day offers, Disney hopes that Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen can maintain its development and attain diners in new areas.
Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen is situated at 7325 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
Data: 480-990-2212, picazzos.com/Scottsdale
