Pisano's Pizza vs Cibelli's New York Pizza

Pisano's vs Cibelli's

I remember reading about how the owner of Cibelli's was suing the owners of Pizanno's Pizza in the Bulletin. Recently I saw a new pizza restaurant in NW Crossing called Pisano's Pizza and wondered if this was the same as the Prineville one even though they are spelled different.

I figured that instead of getting into the rumors, I'd just compare slices from each place and see if there are any similarities and find out which is better. I decided that a simple slice of pepperoni wrapped up to-go from each place would be a good comparison.

Getting both slices back to the house I grabbed all my toppings that I use to doctor up my pizza at home and opened up my two brown paper bags of pizza from Pisano's (on the left) and Cibelli's (on the right).


Obvious portion size winner goes to Cibelli's and it only cost $3.25 instead of $4 at Pisano's.

I started off with a couple bites of each slice without any additional seasonings from my spice rack. The better flavor goes to Cibelli's again which could be mainly due to the grease. Grease = good. The slice from Pisano's had a thicker crust and wasn't greasy at all.

Some might like the lack of grease but I think the best slice is when there is a little grease but not enough that it drips off the pizza and thoroughly soaks your plate. That's just nasty.

The crust from Pisano's was thicker as I mentioned and it was a bit on the doughy side. For a slice of NY pizza, I like the Cibelli's huge slice, fold in half style like NY pizza should be. Before you go off on what real NY pizza should be, I've been to NY and have had real NY pizza.

The other factor for me was the slices of pepperoni. I mean, look at the photo and you'll see the difference in size between the pepperoni from Cibelli's and how it completely dwarfs the pepperoni from Pisano's.

For this round of taste testing between the two pizza restaurants, Cibelli's wins hands down. I can't imagine that this Pisano's is the same as the Pizanno's in Prineville that was accused of stealing Cibelli's recipes. The two slices were completely different and personally I don't think Frank Cibelli has anything to worry about here.

Cibelli's New York Pizza
738 NW Columbia St,
Bend Oregon
(541) 318-2800

Pisano's Pizza
NW Crossing
541-312-9349

Cibelli's New York Pizza - Bend Oregon

"It's not New York Style Pizza...It's New York Pizza!"

Cibelli's on the West side of Bend has some of the best pizza in town. The other pizza joints are ok if you like only a couple toppings and small slices. If you order the 24" pizza at Cibelli's, you better bring your MiniVan or your SUV cause I know you have one. If not, then you're fine cause you drive a Subaru, admit it! You'll need the space because Cibelli's has the largest pizza box, I swear it. Check it out:


Now, the box is impressive but check this out!

That's right, Pepperoni, Pineapple, and Black Olive. This one is only the 18" but it's plenty for me. I didn't eat the crust and I made it through 3 slices and wanted to pass out. I'm a fatty. But seriously, look at the toppings...there are toppings...and tons of them! I've asked for a slice of pepperoni at different places in town and I might be lucky to get two or three slices of meat.

Bend is getting pretty funny with natural and organic options and the gourmet pizzas. Places like Pizzicato and Pizza Mondo will offer the cheese and pepperoni and then they'll have a ton of pizza's with pesto, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and such. Look at you reading this getting all happy about your nasty sundried artichoke pesto pizza and you're healthy ass. No one likes you.

The best part of Bend, or Deschutes County for that matter, is that while restaurants offer the organic ingredients, their to go containers are (or can be) Styrofoam. Good thing you carry a nalgene to reduce waste but you look silly walking to your Hummer carrying your Toomies lunch meal deal in a Styrofoam box. Good going.

Now Cibelli's offers all those "crazy" ingredients if you're interested. And they use paper plates and aluminum foil. Good stuff.

When I get a whole pie at Cibelli's, I ask for some "love" on the side. No, it's cool, the wife's down with love on the side too.

Even though it's weird to ask another dude for some love on the side, I'm secure. "Love" is their mixture of Italian ingredients that you can sprinkle on top. If you go in for just a slice or two, they have plenty of Love available on site.

I highly recommend Cibelli's for your pizza needs. I also recommend getting some love on the side...of your pizza...to sprinkle on top...of your pizza. You're sick.

Cibelli's New York Pizza
318-2800 Westside
385-8646 Eastside
330-8646 Tumalo