Francesco’s: The Las Vegas Strip’s other hidden pizzeria

Crispy-chewy crust and classic flavor make Francesco’s secret pizza worth discovering.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 | 6 p.m.

Pizzeria Francesco’s: At Treasure Island, 894-7111.; Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Have you heard about that cool New York-style pizza joint hiding in the back of that flashy casino on the Strip? You know, the one where you can roll through after drinks or before a show and enjoy a quick, convenient, tasty slice?

Actually, this is not the hidden pizzeria you’re thinking about. Francesco’s was once the name of the full-service Italian restaurant just inside the main valet at Treasure Island, but when Phil Ruffin took over the resort three years ago and commenced the casualization of TI, it eventually transformed into a quick-casual concept and relocated near the Mystère Theater, next door to the poker room.

How’s the pizza? Not bad. Its thin crust has a nice crispy-chewy balance to go with classic flavor, and the sauce isn’t too sweet. They don’t serve pepperoni from Molinari & Sons in San Francisco (my favorite thing about Cosmopolitan’s buzzed-about secret pizzeria), but it’s decent pie. And Francesco’s has a lot more room, with actual places to sit and quick service, not to mention clear signage.

I wouldn’t say TI’s pizza-by-the-slice is better than Cosmo’s, but forget the hipness, ignore the hype and maybe they’re a lot closer than they seem. Anybody wanna do a blind taste test?

This story first appeared in Sun sister publication Las Vegas Weekly.

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By jaymes4u (james higgins)

April 24, 2012

8:05 p.m.

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i will try this place out soon...ive been to the secret cosmo pizza place 3 times and let me tell you, there is nothing quick about getting a piece of pizza there...
By CynicalObserver

April 24, 2012

11:59 p.m.

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New Yorkers love their pizza. There's yet a third New York pizza place on S. Las Vegas Blvd. where one can get a quick slice. It's in a free standing building in the parking lot at the front of the Outlet Mall at the south end of the Strip. The pizza is a very good thin crust style with excellent cheese quality, the wait is short, the price is reasonable. The parking lot near the shop is right along S. Las Vegas Blvd. and is an easy in and out. My 6 year old grandson says the decor is "fun". It's called "New York Pizza".