Marco's Coal Fired Pizza

Last night we went to Marco's Pizza on Larimer and about 21st. We have been there several times before but now that it is fresh I will write another review. Marco’s boasts that it is certified as an authentic Neapolitan restaurant by the Verace Pizza Napoletana, and is the only certified restaurant in Colorado, and one of only 40 in the USA. I suppose this is why I think Marco's has the best Italian thin crust pizza in town. They offer two types of pizza--Neopolitan (Italian) style and New York style. The Neopolitan style are thin crust pizzas with some variety of prosciutto, arugula, buffalo mozzarella, olive oil etc. We typically order the Toscano, which comes with the above mentioned toppings and some slices of parm or peccorino and grape tomatoes. Most of the toppings are added once the pizza is taken out of the traditional neopolitan oven. making it very fresh.

Last night we also tried one of the New York style pizzas--the Brooklyn, featuring mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni, red onion, red sauce and fresh mozz. This was my first round with the New York style, as the Napoletana pizzas are so good I haven't strayed in the past. But the New Yorks were just as tasty! The crust on both of these pizzas is truly one of the tricks. It is cooked to perfection and is tasteful in its own right. The other quality part of Marco's is that you can SEE your pizza being cooked, immediately sliced and brought directly to your table. There is no waiting, and your pizza is out of the oven and on your table in one minute.

We also had the house salad which was fresh greens with fresh mozz, grape tomatoes, balsamic and olive oil. This salad is not fussy but it comes with a hefty portion of cheese and tomatoes which makes it worth the money. But while we are on the subject of money . . . this is one of the harder parts to swallow about Marco's. The better pizzas at Marco's are $16-17 and do not come in varying sizes. There is one size and it comfortably feeds only two people. So while the meal is still pretty cheap-- $35 for a salad, a pizza and two beers--it still seems a bit pricey for pizza. However you are paying for the very fresh ingredients which makes it worthwhile.

While you definitely don't go to Marco's for the booze, the wine list is a little boring and the draft beers could use more local brews and variety. But the pizza is great, and because you are further north on Larimer, it is usually easy to find street parking fairly close.

http://www.marcoscoalfiredpizza.com/menu.html