Tony Sacco’s Coal Oven Pizza, a fast-expanding Florida-based chain, is opening its first Arizona location in the Bashas’ center on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Chandler Heights roads in south Chandler.
Similar to the well-known Grimaldi’s chain, Tony Sacco’s cooks pizzas and sandwiches in a 1,000-degree oven stoked by clean-burning anthracite coal from Pennsylvania.
The health-conscious concept boasts it has no freezers, no fryers, and no microwave ovens. Sauce and dough are made from scratch every day. Fresh vegetables and other toppings are cut by hand.
Michigan natives Chuck Senatore and Geoge Kurajian opened the first Tony Sacco’s – named for a third partner who left the business before the opening – in Bonita Springs, Fla., in 2008.
The chain now has 20-plus locations in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina.
The Chandler location, previously home to Abloom Home Decor, is just under 4,000 square feet and will accommodate 156 people, including 40 on south-facing patios on both sides of the front entrance.
There’ll be a total of 10 large TV screens inside and out. Beer and wine will be served.
Tony Sacco’s is expected to open next month.
