Otra Pizzeria, a local pop-up that has served Phoenix since early last year, has taken over the kitchen of Spce Coffee as a residency, located at 1736 E. McDowell Road.
Owner Cesar Velasco started serving his pizzas around Phoenix in January 2023 through Otra Pizzeria. His pizzas can often be found downtown at spots such as Cobra Arcade Bar, Central Records, and Sauvage Wine Bar and Shop. Now, Otra Pizzeria has taken over the kitchen at Spce Coffee five evenings a week, according to Phoenix New Times. Velasco will expand the concept’s menu and hopefully introduce more people to his food. All of this is for one goal: to open his own brick-and-mortar.
“This is just a win-win situation,” Velasco tells the Phoenix New Times. “I am very excited. We’re going on the right road to get ourselves even more established to hopefully get to that end goal.”
Otra Pizzeria is now open at Spce Coffee on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sundays. With the additional space, Velasco plans to expand the menu significantly by adding more appetizers, sandwiches, a chicken parmesan, and desserts, plus some old fan favorites. While Otra Pizzeria will mostly be found in this new space, it will still be out and about occasionally in Phoenix for pop-ups and at festivals, which is where Velasco met Spce Coffee owner Andy Kemp. Hopefully, the next step for Velasco will be opening his own restaurant.
“At our pizzeria, we’re passionate about pushing boundaries while honoring the roots of Neapolitan pizza-making,” according to the company’s website. “Picture hand-stretched dough, blistered to perfection in our wood-fired oven, topped with inventive combinations that pay homage to tradition while embracing innovation. With each slice, we invite you to embark on a sensory adventure, where every flavor tells a story, and every bite leaves a lasting impression. Join us as we redefine the pizza experience, blending old-world charm with contemporary culinary artistry.”
