The San Francisco-based Italian restaurant, Patxi’s Pizza, opened its first Colorado location at 3455 S. University Blvd in Cherry Hills in mid-November and has since offered Denverites with an intriguing menu and the taste of a true Chicago style pizza.

The ironic coincidence that a San Francisco restaurant is the expert on Chicago-style pizza began when two friends, businessman and entrepreneur Bill Freeman and avid chef Fransisco “Patxi” Axpiroz came together in the summer of 2004 to create a welcoming neighborhood restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif.

Their menu has perfected both the deep dish and thin crust pizza, making it a one of a kind in the Denver area. A great option for students looking to satisfy an uncontrollable pizza craving, Paxti’s can be reached by the number 24 RTD bus, a two mile walk or a short car drive.

The restaurant offers a wide range of seating options including booths, tables and a bar section making it the ideal location for a family dinner, girl’s night out or a good place to relax at the end of a long day. Paxti’s is equipped with a generous selection of beer, wine and cocktails. The dark lighting, wood paneling and large windows give the restaurant a modern feel with a unique twist.

The friendly staff is helpful when making a decision from a menu that all sounds too good. Customers have the option to order a Patxi’s combo pizza off the menu or go bold by creating their own pizza from endless ingredients including meats, cheese and other more adventurous toppings such as aged prosciutto, artichoke hearts and arugula.

The most common dish is the Chicago deep-dish pizza. This is available in three different sizes: 10”, 12” and 14.” Unique to Paxti’s, the pizza is stuffed with all the goodies instead of layering the crust with sauce, cheese and then toppings.

They start by pressing the crust to the bottom pan and then adding your choice of meat and other toppings all before adding another layer of crust and finishing it with their thick garlic based tomato sauce on top. When finished, the pizza is brought to your table sizzling hot.

Their most popular Chicago deep-dish pizza is the BBQ Chicken, which includes BBQ chicken breast, smoked bacon and jalapenos. This combination creates a mouthwatering experience and is the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys a little zest in their meal. This pizza is priced anywhere between $22-32 depending on the size.

While these pizzas may be out of the price range for students, sharing is a great option. Their 10’’ Chicago style pizza is the perfect size to share between two hungry friends. Similarly, Paxti’s is doing a lunch special daily from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. with a piece of pizza, salad and a drink for $9.99.

Another deep-dish option includes the Californian, which is made with a whole-wheat crust, low fat mozzarella, fresh spinach and red onions. Supplied with an endless amount of cheese, this is the ideal choice for vegetarians or anyone looking for a tasty yet healthy alternative. This pizza is priced anywhere between $19-27.

Paxti perfects the deep-dish pizza by cooking it for 40 minutes; as such, the restaurant recommends that you order by phone or online before you come in to minimize your wait time. While you are waiting, hold your hunger at bay with some burrata bruschetta, artichoke dip, or one of five signature salads.

For an appetizer with a unique taste you won’t find anywhere else, the beef and pork meatballs are braised in their homemade tomato sauce, basil and Grana Padano cheese. This appetizer is priced at $8.

The arugula salad features baby arugula, shaved Grana Padano and extra virgin olive oil and lemon is a very popular choice off of the salad menu. This salad is priced at $7.

For those of you who are looking for a delicious pizza without the large time and financial commitment, the thin crust pizza is the perfect alternative. This pizza is available in two different sizes, 10” and 14” and takes 15-20 minutes to cook.

The most popular thin crust pizza is the traditional Margherita pizza with mozzarella, tomato sauce, fresh basil, Grana Padano cheese and sea salt. The fresh ingredients add incredible flavor to this simple and light dish. It is priced anywhere between $10-14.

Patxi’s Pizza takes pride in offering both whole wheat and gluten free dough at no extra cost. All of their dough and sauces are vegan-friendly, making it a great location for people with food allergies as well as vegetarians.
The sauce is made daily and fresh cheese and vegetables are chopped at the beginning of every morning. All of the meat is organic and comes from Zoe’s Natural Meats in California.

For anyone looking for a quiet night in, this restaurant offers free delivery for orders that are more than $15. They also have the option of picking up a half-baked pizza. This gives customers the chance to finish the pizza in the comfort of their own kitchen and at their convenience.

Not only does Patxi’s Pizza provide appetizing food for the Denver community, they have taken it upon themselves to give back by hosting a weekly fundraiser for organizations that benefit education and children’s health and welfare. So far they have been able to donate more than $200,000 to these causes. Ten percent of the profits that are made at the different fundraisers are given back to the organization that hosted it.

Since their recent opening, the Colorado location has held one fundraiser with the Colorado Academy Horizon Program, which is dedicated to the enriched education of children who come from low-income families.

The restaurant is open Sunday–Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.and they’re open 4-10 p.m. on Mondays. Patxi’s Pizza plans to open it second Colorado location at 185 Steele St. in Cherry Creek.