If you’ve spent any time in the Valley’s pizza scene over the last two decades, the name Justin Piazza likely rings a bell. Known for his nearly 18-year tenure building a loyal following in Glendale and his multiple appearances on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Piazza is now embarking on a fresh chapter in the heart of Phoenix. His latest project, Grandioso, has officially soft-opened, bringing a unique blend of dive bar atmosphere and high-end pizza craft to the historic Grand Avenue arts district.

Located on the southwest corner of Grand Avenue and McKinley Street, Grandioso is positioning itself as a neighborhood staple. According to reporting from [Mouth by Southwest](https://mouthbysouthwest.com/2026/09/02/justin-piazzas-new-concept-grandioso-soft-opens-on-grand-avenue/), the concept is a departure from the traditional restaurant model, focusing instead on a relaxed, dive-bar vibe that happens to serve some of the most technical pizza in the city.

A Serious Pizza Program

Don’t let the casual setting fool you. Piazza is bringing a serious culinary pedigree to this new space. The menu features four distinct styles of pizza: New York, Roman taglio, Detroit pan, and tavern-style thin crust. It is an ambitious lineup for a bar of this size, but early feedback indicates that Piazza is maintaining the same level of quality that defined his previous work at La Piazza Al Forno.

Planning Your Visit

If you are planning to check it out, you might want to move quickly. The soft launch has been incredibly popular, with the kitchen selling out of pizza within just a few hours on each of its first two nights.

For now, the team is operating on a limited schedule to find their rhythm:

* Wednesday & Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

* Friday & Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

* Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

With the high demand, arriving early is definitely the best strategy. While the soft opening is currently underway, mark your calendars for the official grand opening on October 2, when the team expects to roll out a more complete experience. For more updates on the local food scene, you can find full details at [Mouth by Southwest](https://mouthbysouthwest.com/2026/09/02/justin-piazzas-new-concept-grandioso-soft-opens-on-grand-avenue/).