Newly opened Buddyz brings authentic Chicago deep dish pizza & Italian beef to Queen Creek

With The Deli‘s recent decision to serve breakfast and lunch only, there’s been a dearth of noteworthy dinner options in Queen Creek.

Stepping in to fill the void, however, is Buddyz, a Chicago-style pizzeria, which has taken over the former Mambo’s Restaurant off Power Road about a half-mile south of Riggs.

Co-owner Joe Scarnato has Chicago pizza in his blood. He and his brother had a small chain of Chicago takeout shops called Pizza Italia before launching the full-service Buddyz in Algonquin in 2005 and later another in McHenry in 2010.

This summer, Scarnato relocated to the southeast Valley. One day while eating at Joe’s Farm Grill, he met Randy Wallace, who was looking to leave his layoff-threatened job at Bank of America.

The result was a third Buddyz – the first in Arizona. The pizzeria offers three styles of Chicago pizza – thin crust, butter (traditional) crust, and deep dish – along with sandwiches and a few pasta dishes.

There are 17 “landmark,” or specialty, pizzas name-checking Chicagoland attractions, such as the Sears Tower, Daley Plaza, Dearborn Station, Rush Street, and, of course, Soldier Field.

The kitchen makes its own pizza dough, marinara sauce, Italian beef, and meatballs. The new bar offers Goose Island beers from the Windy City, along with local faves from SanTan and Four Peaks.

“We’ve had a great turnout from the neighborhood,” Wallace says.

“When we opened we didn’t have a POS system and everyone had to pay cash. We haven’t even started advertising yet.”

The 2,500-square-foot space still is a work in progress. A Chicago skyline made of wood will be installed on one wall. Wallace and Scarnato also are looking for more Chicago-related signs.

Buddyz, 18423 E. San Tan Blvd., Queen Creek, is open 4-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Info: 480-822-1225.