Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.

Hungry?  Well, this one's bound to make your mouth water.  We're introducing you to the masterminds behind one of AZ's hottest pizza joints.

Mike Merendino’s dad coined the term “Pizza Rustica” a number of years ago, and since then, the “Rustica” became dear to his heart.  It’s a home-cooked, uniquely-shaped thin-crust pizza, so perfect for your taste-buds.  That, according to 34-year old Merendino, co-owner of the Valley’s CRUST restaurants.

“I used to work at my family’s pizzerias in New York, and fell in love with the industry from an early age. Being a first generation Italian American, we have such old and rich recipes,” said Mike Merendino, Valley restaurateur.

Merendino grew up in Long Island, tossing pizzas at his dad’s restaurant, Francesca’s.  As a child, he learned the ins and outs of the pizzeria biz, and picked up on recipes unique to his family.  Merendino witnessed his father’s great success creating such delectable pizzas, that he was bound to eventually become a restaurant owner himself.  And that’s exactly what he did after relocating to Arizona.

“I wanted a change of scenery; more so, two things:  to find love and open a pizzeria,” he said.

Turns out, he hit the jackpot—getting married, having kids, and signing a lease at CRUST’s Scottsdale location on Indian Bend. 

“I knew my father’s recipes would be a hit.”

Clearly an understatement, considering CRUST’s popularity is constantly growing among Valley pizza-lovers.  However, before Merendino could open up shop, he needed support from partners.  That’s why he honored his East Coast roots, teaming up with Jersey-boy “Mitch” (Ryan Mitchell) and Manhattan-man Duke Hornia.

“Mitch and I had done several entrepreneurial projects together, and while he had no restaurant experience, he simply ‘owned’ every job he had.  Besides, Mitch is a master martini-maker and totally charismatic.”

And certified sommelier Duke completed the CRUST trio flaunting a 30+ year fine dining resume. 

The first CRUST Pizza & Wine Cafe was born October 2007, followed by their Convention Center location in 2008, and North Phoenix location in 2010.  And this past March, CRUST opened at Salt River Fields so all Spring Training fans could enjoy New York-style pizza.

“We are known for our individual, hand-stretched pizza with a ‘secret family sauce’ baked into the dough.”

And take my word, that secret sauce is scrumptious.

Everything is fresh and home-made—the CRUST team believes in a perfect balance of ingredients ideal for the ultimate pop of flavor.  As I write this, my mouth is watering visualizing each pizza pie entering their stone oven, coming out sizzling, ready to devour.  And as for CRUST pizza’s odd shapes; well…

“The story my father tells me is back in Sicily while baking fresh bread, the left-over dough scraps were stretched into pies they called ‘pizzettas.’  Those ‘pizzettas’  were often uniquely shaped and topped with tomatoes, homemade cheeses and olive oil abundant in Sicily.”

And the story continues… Peter (Merendino’s dad) brought the “pizetta” concept to New York, and Merendino paid it forward, introducing AZ to his family’s pizza pies. 

“I remember being in my dad’s pizzeria early in the morning before it opened.  I would watch my father and just take everything in—he was, and still is, so passionate about his work.”

Believe it or not, Merendino still eats pizza every day. 

As for CRUST; well, Merendino hopes it will become an Arizona stable.  He plans on expanding throughout the Valley, but taking things nice and slow. 

“We call our customers ‘CRUSTomers.’  We treat our loyal fans like family.”

For more information, visit: www.crustrestaurants.com.

And today only (10/17/11), try CRUST on discount.  Just purchase today's mini deal on www.doozyofadeal.com.

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