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La Grande Orange Grocery

4410 N. 40th St.

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-840-7777
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Designer pizza? Oh, yeah. Ingredients are primo — sourdough crust fermented overnight, organic produce delivered daily from the Valley's Victory Farms, homemade sausage, and exotic combinations like goat cheese, roasted corn, tomato, and fresh basil leaves.

Full Review: La Grande Orange Grocery (04-10-03)
Best Of 2007: BEST LOCAL EATERY WE WISH WERE A CHAIN
Best Of 2005: BEST STRIP MALL

Cuisine(s): American, Coffeehouse/Cafe, Deli, Health / Vegetarian, Italian, Pizza, Spanish
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri. 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Price: $$
Serving: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Alchohol: Beer/Wine
Reservations: Not Accepted
Parking: Lot Available
Attire: casual

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Overall:

Ok I am a sucker for hype. I heard all about this place and wanted to try it. twice we drove by and said no way due to the crowd. ( Of course one time the Rock and Roll MArathon was going on so I am sure that did not help)i was determined to go and try the pizza! The nightmare parking comments and tried to take another persons advice and park around the street! Don't do that! I guess that person disregards the permit parking only signs on all the streets within one block of 40th and Campbell( and I heard they tow!) I did find parking on 39th St. just North of Campbell 10 steps from where the signs end. It wasn't a bad walk at all. However, some people might not want or or be able to walk that far. The joke was on me, since the lot had open spaces. Ok I went at 1:30 on A sunday on purpose to avoid the lunch crowd. Since this place is crowded all the time I tried to pick as much of an off time as possible. No wait at all. I was the second person in line and I actually had 2 people helping me, the lady who helps with the line movement and the counter girl. They were both very helpful since I had never been there before and made good suggestions.I ordered a Margerrita Pizza. The guy who made the pizza was very nice. I chatted with him a while. ( don't know his name) The pizza was better than good, not superb. I have had better but pretty good for Phx. I am a ex Nyer and to be honest Phx just doesn't hold the standard. ( Hard water I am guessing since all the good places import the water) The crust was very good though, It had a nice baked bread taste to it. I like tomatoe sauce a lot but only if it is Italian good enough to call gravy. The pizza did not have a lot of sauce on it, which is how they make it,, and the reason I am guessing I did not just love it to death. The cheese was very good though. Maybe homemade? Not sure but tasty!I will have to go back and try the sausage fennell pizza since I am a sausage fiend. They only have that pizza in a sicilian style and I hope the crust is as good so the extra carbs might be worth it. I asked if they made the sausage pizza flat and they said no. BUMMER!!!!!!!!Ok I heard about the english muffins so went in line again and was first in line( so where is the famous wait I keep hearing about?) I got the muffins and then went to the Gelato place and got the valusian ( oops hope I spelled that right) gelato many types of chocolate mixed with Grand Marnier. Can you say heaven???????????? Boy that walk back to the car, a long, NY block away, came in handy and much appreciated to walk off the good lunch!Ok, in conclusion and to remark on all the hype here goes- I never felt the place was snotty or too good for me, Parking was ok I am used to walking- just park far away and walk, The food was good. The people in the surrounding tables and in-line were pleasant, smiled at me, and talked to me. I even gave up my table to someone else and sat with them a while and they were delighful!. When I got home I had an English Muffin and I am still dreaming about them.OH MY GOD!!!!! NOW IF YOU GO THERE ONlY TO GET THESE YOU ARE SMART BUT POORER. ( 8 bucks for 6 muffins- ouch, but worth it!) Ok so I saying that the answer is to go on an off time and the problems you are always hearing about there are either miniscule or nonexistent. Good luck and happy eating. (I will have to go back and try those cupcakes huh?)
Review by Mary