Few comfort foods can compete with that of pizza. It’s hot, it’s tasty, and it can satisfy any group of people. Around town, there’s a number of pizza joints, but starting in February, there will be one fewer.
Tino’s Pizza has been a staple here in Tucson since it opened back in 1984. But after 37 years of serving hot slices up to the community, it will be shutting down one last time. The small restaurant, which is located at 6610 East Tanque Verde Road, posted its announcement on Facebook earlier in the week.
Fans of the restaurant have already come out to show their support for the restaurant, with the Facebook post generating nearly 150 comments and 350 “likes” in less than 24-hours.
Restaurant owners did not go into detail about why they have chosen to shut down, other than that, “after 37 years, it’s time to retire Dino’s Legacy.” The founder of Tino’s Pizza, Dino Choni, died in April of 2020. There are still notes left for him on the side of the white-washed wall. Now, Dino’s pizza will be fully retired and, as the Tino’s Pizza statement indicates, the business is not for sale.
The final day for Tino’s Pizza will be that of Wednesday, February 2, so anyone interested in enjoying some final slices of this Tucson staple does still have a few weeks left. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, but it is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 AM until 9 PM, on Friday and Saturday it opens from 10:30 AM until 9:30 PM, and on Sunday it is open from 3 PM until 9 PM.
For anyone who hasn’t visited Tino’s Pizza before, there’s far more than just pizza at the restaurant. Guests are also able to order a variety of wings, sandwiches (including fan-favorite oven-toasted parmesan sandwiches), plus salads and drinks. The menu has something that will satisfy everyone, no matter what they're hungry for.
The closure of the restaurant is not COVID-related. As has been the case for many pizza restaurants around Tucson (and throughout the country), it was able to survive rather well off of take-out and delivery. Many pizza restaurants thrived during the pandemic because patrons were already accustomed to ordering pizza for delivery, and the restaurants were already set up to handle delivery services. Ownership at Tino’s has simply decided it is time to move on to the next chapter of their lives.
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