Empire Pizza & Pub — Restaurant in Tucson

Had this incredible craving for pizza and was thinking "who has the best pizza in town?" Choices were limited, not too many real places in town anymore. My mind wandered far back into my past to think where would i go. It came up on me like shock. Right next to the hydra clothing store i remember having a good slice of pizza around 15 years ago. Could this place still be there? On a wing and a prayer i slid my bus pass into my pocket and headed out into the 114 degree heat. The cool air hit me as the doors swung open to the number 12 headed downtown. Only smiling faces on the bus and my heart jumped as people smiled and greeted me. This is gonna be good i though to myself and settled into my seat. Five minutes later it was as if a magic carpet had floated me to my destination the Rhondstat transit center. I shifted nervously as the bus came to a stop could this place still exist? If so will i be able to afford a slice of this pizza? Will it be good? As i crossed the street the smell of pizza wafted through the hot air and greeted my nostrils with a strange familiar comfort. The place was still there and looked exactly as it had 15 years prior. I ordered the lunch special a "gyro slice" and an orange Fanta in a bottle and the cashier even opened the top for me! She brought me the pizza to the table and i felt momentarily like a Boss. Not Street Fighter boss; but Bruce Lee boss! That had to be the best pizza i have had bar none in Tucson! And now, get this it was five dollars and ninety eight cents for pure pizza satisfaction! I implore you personally, if you want a incredible pizza in a no rush no agenda down to earth pizza place that will absolutely blow the doors off any pizza place in town. EMPIRE PIZZA IS THE PLACE TO GO! This is as real as it gets for Tucson pizza. However you have to get there, rollerskates, Goped, on one gimpy leg or riding a dog, do not pass...

This evening, my wife stopped in on her way home from work (as she has many times). She ordered her food and was waiting for her order when a guy walked in and told the server he only had $5 and asked her what he could get. She told him one slice of pizza and he agreed. My wife asked the man, who was obviously homeless, if she could buy him another slice and a drink. The man, who was (sadly) shocked at her kindness told her he was starving and said that would be great and he humbly thanked her a couple of times. The server heard this conversation and told my wife, in front of the man, that she would not be “allowed” to buy the man food because “if you feed THEM they just keep coming back”! My wife then asked her to repeat what she had just said because, my wife thought that no one could be that ignorant and hateful. The server then told my wife that it was the policy of her manager and there was nothing she could do. After hearing the server degrade the man like that, right in front of him, my wife became quite upset. She waited for her order to come, at which time she gave the man her slice and her drink and told the server that she would never come back to this restaurant again. I understand that the homeless situation is frustrating and out of control, but all this man wanted was food. If you are reading this review, I implore you to please show your humanity and take your hard earned money to a more deserving dining...

Haven't had EMPIRE Pizza since I relocated. Its still just as good as I remember it. Ordered a whole pepperoni pie and had to try a slice of their Elote pizza.

My favorite part is the sauce, I love that it has a tangy, sweet taste to it. The cheese and crust are also good, you can get a good cheese pull depending on how much you put on it. As you can see the slices are pretty bug and they use a decent amount of topping. You can even make do with the slice and drink combo but recommend a whole pie, its just that good.

Thin, nepolitan-like crust with no flops, the outer crust is very chewy and not dry. There's a lot if flavor ti their pizza even with minimal toppings.

The Elote Pizza has a unique flavor to it. There's a spice to it from the chilli powder seasoning they use, reminds me of Lucas powder from when I was a kid. The spicy mayo compliments this very well and they don't oversaturate the pizza with it which is nice. The pieces of corn was a nice touch and again they don't overdue it. And there is a lemon/lime zing to it. A really unique flavor.

Overall still pleased with everything I purchased and will continue to support their business the more Ibcan visit downtown. BE WARNED, because it is downtown parking is atrocious but it is worth it to stop in and have a slice. It's the best...