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Tucson’s Pizza Throwdown Is Back — Here Are The Restaurants Competing

The May 23 event at Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria will feature unlimited tastings, drinks and audience voting.

The May 23 event at Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria will feature unlimited tastings, drinks and audience voting. (Peter Senzamici/Patch)

TUCSON, AZ — Ten of Tucson's most beloved pizzerias are about to go head-to-head, and the judges are the ones with the best job in town: the people in the seats.

Tucson Originals brings back its annual Pizza Throwdown & Dessert Duel on Saturday, at Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria, 3011 E. Speedway Blvd. Doors open at 6 p.m.

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Guests get unlimited pizza and dessert samples, three drink tickets, and a vote that actually matters — the crowd decides this year's Pizza Throwdown Champion and Dessert Duel Winner.

This year's pizza lineup includes some past champions looking to defend their titles:

Barrio Brewing Co. and Tirrito Farms will pour craft beer on site, with wine from Tirrito and Flying Leap rounding out the drinks.

The event started as a pizza-only competition in 2014 and added the dessert bracket a few years later. Proceeds benefit Tucson Originals, the alliance of independent local restaurants behind the event.

Tickets are $65 per person, or $55 for Tucson Foodie Insiders, and are available here. More information is at tucsonoriginals.com.

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