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Papa's Italian ~ Colorado chain : Colorado Springs


Latest visit: Nov 2025

First visit: Oct 2024

Other location: Florence

---11/23/25

Getting close to the end of the year, but we did finally get back to Papa's. Did the same thing as last year and ordered a 16" sausage and cheese pie with marinara. Tried to order online, but it didn't work for whatever reason. It was easier - and faster - just to call. We'll do that next year. Upon arrival back home, Mrs. RJG had the comalito ready, and crisped it up. Have to say it looked delicious in the box, so it was only going to be better. I could have used more sauce (haha, always say that), but Mrs. RJG said - get ready for this - best pizza in town! Whoa. Wasn't ready for such high praise. We enjoyed two full meals, and it was $20. Not a bad deal these days. Should get over here more than once a year.

Since last year, they closed the Austin Bluffs location. It looked like a trial situation in any case.

---10/20/24

Though Papa's bills themselves as an Italian restaurant, there's little of that on the menu. It's primarily a pizza joint that offers pasta in addition. Very similar to all those pizza-pasta places we used to frequent in DFW, but with even less entrees to choose from. The restaurant itself is small with only a few tables. It has the look and feel of a take out pizza joint. It's position near the Ford Amphitheater should provide ample customers during event nights.

On this visit, based on what I could figure out online, it seemed I would be best served to order a pizza and pick it up. And on this fine Sunday football afternoon, that's exactly what I did. Brought it home and Mrs. RJG had the comal ready to add a little extra crispness. We watched some NFL Red Zone and devoured half the 16 inch sausage and cheese pie. The sausage is basic off-the-truck crumbled, and the cheese and sauce were well prepared though not exceptional. On the continuum of available Colorado Springs pizza joints, it's better than Marco's and Anthony's, about the same as Louie's, but not as good as Jet's, Parry's, and Walter's303. Not counting places like Basil and Barley, which is a different kind of pizza. We both enjoyed it though, and I'll have the remainder for my lunch tomorrow as I go back to work.

Though we have Papa's listed as a Colorado chain, it barely qualifies. The original restaurant is in the antique town of Florence, that we sometimes frequent in the offseason. Never tried Papa's while there, and now we don't have to, since there's this location about 10 minutes away. I'll add it to the RJG rotation as I could see an annual visit happening. At least once during football season would be about right.

10/20/24; 11/23/25

10/20/24 (new entry)

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