Friday, April 29, 2016
Pizza 450 a La Lena: The Best Pizza in Nogales, Sonora
Nogales has more to offer than carne asada when it comes to food. Tourist's often flock to La Roca for fine cuisine, but locals, the more adventurous and those on a budget explore other options. Nogales does have a few of the same chain pizza parlors we have in the US, but it also has a convenient location for gourmet brick oven pizza. Are you shocked; well I was when I walked into 450. The first thing I noticed walking across the ample outside deck was the contemporary design. 450 has a minimalist style that is almost Japanese, I immediately noticed the pizzas of those dining Al fresco (outside), and it not only looked great, but slowing down I smelled a great aroma. Passing through the door I paused and took in that the brick oven and all ingredients were open and visible, this is something that almost all appreciate and in fact at 450 the customer is welcome to be as much of the process as they want to be, it's encouraged! I also liked the fact all those involved in the process not only wore gloves, but changed them regularly. Cleanliness is a big deal for me with anything I am putting into my mouth and 450 obviously understands this. I sauntered into the gentleman's room and was pleased to find the same cleanness, contemporary design and it even smelled fresh. I chose a table and promptly a cute server offered me a beverage, I decided to try a glass of their home brewed ice tea and it was tasty.
I then went up to choose my pizza. First they asked what thickness I wanted and I chose thin. Next I supervised exactly how much tomato sauce and cheese and I asked for a fresh lime, because I like a bit of lime with the tomato sauce. There was a plethora of ingredients to choose from including my favorite, artichoke hearts. I decided on Italian sausage and Pepperoni with fresh mushrooms and artichoke hearts. The handsome young man preparing my pizza grinned each time I motioned for more artichoke hearts and sausage. Finally after some garlic to top off our masterpiece it was ready for the oven. Another young man asked me how I liked the pizza and I explained I like my pizza crisp and dark golden on the top, another grin and into the brick oven. I watched several other pizzas being prepared and cooked as I flirted with the pretty cashier. The pizza took about five minutes to cook in the mesquite filled brick oven and I was shown not just the top but the bottom before we removed it. I like my pizza in rectangles, sure, no problem and I retreated to my table to sample the pizza. I'd guess the pizza was 12" and gosh, my mouth had been watering for the last five minutes I realized. My first bite and I actually leap up and applauded the team, yes I am a crazy gringo. I could not finish the pizza, but I savored each bite and had three pieces for later. When the bill came and I saw the pizza was 795 pesos ($5.00) I almost jumped up and applauded a second time, but I restrained myself and left an exorbitant tip. Not to be missed is Pizza 450!
***** Rating 5 of 5
Altar no 5 e/ calle hermosillo Y calle tecnologico, Nogales, Son.
Tel: (52) 631 314 5818
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/450GradosPizza/?fref=ts
Website: http://www.450grados.com/
Hours: SU-TH 12:00 -10:00, F-S 12:00 -11:00
