If there’s one food that seems to generate discussion and, yes, dispute, in the Coachella Valley, it’s pizza.
Most locals seem to agree our Mexican food and bunch offerings are on point, and won’t push back if someone says we could use a few more good dim sum spots. But it’s hard to talk about pizza without someone getting riled up.
On one loud end of the divide are those with experience eating pizza elsewhere, like the LA refugees, snowbirds from East Coast pizza meccas like New York, or those who can’t stop talking about their recent trip to Italy. This crowd will often loudly insist that the Coachella Valley is a pizza wasteland with nary a serviceable slice to be found.
But while those negative Nancys tend to dominate the local pizza discourse, you can also find a quieter — but no less passionate — group who insist the valley’s pizza options are underrated and, dare they say, stack up pretty darn well to more voluminous pizza hubs, thankyaverymuch.
That’s a point of view that tends to resonate with the Desert Sun team, who’s been pleasantly surprised by the desert’s pizza game since moving here and long ago came to the conclusion that our fair desert has plenty of strong, if often underrated, pizzerias we happily return to again and again. Here are our favorites.
Giuseppes Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Details: Palm Springs location: 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #410, Palm Springs, 760-537-1890, giuseppesrestaurants.com/palm-springs/; Palm Desert location: 9002 Shadow Ridge Road, Palm Desert, 760-589-8190, giuseppesrestaurants.com/palm-desert/
Before my household started eating here, the concept of Chicago-style pizza was synonymous in our minds with the brick-like colossus known as deep dish. But Giuseppes has set us straight that the Windy City has been the source of several pizza varieties, two excellent examples of which are served at Giuseppes’ spiffy pizza restaurants. We usually opt for the Chicago pan pizza, which is similar to deep dish, but with a somewhat lighter and more doughy crust (and the sauce served below the toppings rather than on top of them). Giuseppes also serves up a more standard hand-tossed crust, which is thinner and cut into squares. Both restaurants (the Palm Desert location at Shadow Ridge Golf Club opened just a few months back) are also a good choice for when you’re craving pizza and your family isn’t: Giuseppe’s well-rounded menu includes several pastas plus meat, chicken and fish entrees, plus cannoli and tiramisu for dessert. There’s even a $39 three-course meal option that consists of a choice of an appetizer, an entrée (yes, pizza is an option) and a dessert. — Paul Albani-Burgio, Desert Sun business reporter
Bills Pizza Palm Springs
Details: Palm Springs location: 119 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-325-5571, billspizzapalmsprings.com; Palm Desert location: 73-196 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 760-834-8476, billspizzapalmdesert.com
Boasting an enviable main location along one of downtown Palm Springs’ main thoroughfares (and a second on Highway 111 in Palm Desert), Bill’s is the embodiment of the classic corner pizza shop. It certainly has the look and feel down: Each table is adorned with a checkerboard tablecloth, and your Diet Coke will come served in a big tumbler cup. But the pizza tastes delightfully “classic,” too, thanks to its tangy and chewy sourdough crust that seems to pair ever-so-well with simple toppings like pepperoni and red onion (my favorite). The menu leans into Palm Springs’ love of all things Hollywood with pizzas named after the likes of Nicholas Cage and Charlie Sheen while giving original thinkers the ability to create their own pie. The counter near the entrance also doles out slices that can make for an affordable quick lunch option — although we much prefer the freshness of the made-to-order pies. Kudos, also, to the sister location in Palm Desert, which manages to recreate the vibe of the Palm Springs original. — Paul Albani-Burgio, Desert Sun business reporter
Palermo’s New York Pizza
Details: 400 S. El Cielo Road, Palm Springs, 760-416-1138, palermosnypizza.com
This unassuming strip mall spot has become my household’s go-to when we want to pick up a New York-style pizza. There’s something satisfying about the comparative lightness of a bite of this ever-so-thin-crusted ‘za. Meanwhile, the chewy garlic knots are nearly as memorable as the pizza. The interior, admittedly, isn’t anything fancy (though it does feature a great deal of NYC memorabilia), and most of the former dining area is now closed to customers, but a couple of high-top tables remain near the front entrance. If nothing else, they provide a good place to listen to the good-natured owner regale you with the tale of how the framed photo of Frank Sinatra on the wall was a gift from the man himself while your pizza finishes baking. Palermo’s location near Palm Springs’ airport also means it can be a godsend when you suddenly find yourself needing to figure out dinner after a long flight. Editor’s Note: Palermo’s has an “order” function on its website, but we highly recommend just calling your order in — the owner much prefers it that way. — Paul Albani-Burgio, Desert Sun business reporter
Black Cat Pizza
Details: 72-795 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 442-282-8019, black-cat-pizza-pd.square.site
Just two years ago, the Coachella Valley was, well, a desert when it came to America’s burgeoning Detroit-style pizza trend. But then came the opening of this delightfully funky strip mall storefront (where kids should try counting the number of black cat depictions adorning the walls), which has quickly become my household’s favorite pizza place in the whole valley. Think Detroit-style pizza is some knockoff of the Motor City’s more famous Chicago-originating counterpart? Think again. Detroit-style pies, which are cut into square pieces, boast a thick focaccia-like crust with cheesy edges that always come out of the Black Cat kitchen baked to crispy perfection. While the delectable pepperoni and hot honey pizza will forever be my go-to, Black Cat also churns out intriguing specials made with everything from peaches to pulled pork. The shop also sells some of the coolest T-shirts around, and I may or may not be the proud owner of one. — Paul Albani-Burgio, Desert Sun business reporter
Sabatino’s
Details: 79-410 Highway 111, Suite 103, La Quinta, 442-256-3373, sabatinosppw.com
I appreciate the dependable pies at this no-frills strip mall spot for being on the thinner side. While you can’t go wrong with something basic, those wanting the full Sabatino’s experience should opt for the cleverly named Coachella Date Night pizza, which comes topped with bacon, goat cheese, a balsamic glaze and dates from Thermal’s Farm@54 date farm. Meat lovers, meanwhile, have no shortage of carnivorous options, including the bacon (Canadian and regular) and pepperoni-topped Porker pizza and the meat bonanza that is the Sabatino’s Special. I also love the affordable daily lunch special, which pairs a personal pizza with a sizable Caesar or lunch salad for just $10.95. — Paul Albani-Burgio, Desert Sun business reporter
Palmina By Puglia
Details: 2500 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-898-9255, palminabypuglia.com
Finding a truly authentic Italian pizza can be an impossible task in the desert, but the search was over once I tried Palmina By Puglia. Owned by Palm Springs restaurateur Antonello Zito, who hails from Italy, the eatery doesn’t skimp on what makes a great pie. It begins with the dough, which is made with an organic and low-gluten flour imported from Italy, and is fermented for 72 hours following the traditional Neapolitan method, according to the restaurant’s website. Pizzas are topped with a flavorful sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes and ingredients such as spicy soppressata (dry-cured pork salami), cotto ham and burrata cheese. Not to mention, Zito is quite the character to meet. He once told The Desert Sun he would “literally run away” from an Italian restaurant if he saw it serving fettucine alfredo or chicken parmesan because those two dishes are not authentic, and he won $25,000 and the title of grand champion on “Chopped” in 2024. Dinner and a show, what more could you ask for? — Ema Sasic, Desert Sun health and entertainment reporter
Pizzeria Bambino’s
Details: 69-040 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A, Cathedral City, 760-770-0505, pizzeriabambinos.com
What began as a small pizzeria in a storefront at the Cathedral Gateway has grown into a full bar and restaurant, offering a wider variety of menu items. The sauce is richly seasoned, and there is a variety of toppings to choose from atop a great crust. If you believe pineapple belongs on pizza, the Tropicale Hawaiian is your pie. If you’re not up for pizza, try a calzone, pasta, or one of the hot sandwich options, which are also just as good. If you’re looking for an appetizer, try a side of four meatballs. The pizzeria’s menu also features cannoli, three different types of cheesecake, and tiramisu if you still have room for a sweet treat. — Brian Blueskye, Desert Sun arts and entertainment reporter
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Best pizza restaurants in the Palm Springs area? 7 spots locals love
Reporting by Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
