Chris Bianco Opening Second Pizzeria Bianco in Tucson

Brace yourselves, pizza lovers: Chris Bianco is expanding. Legendary Phoenix restaurant Pizzeria Bianco is opening a second location in Tucson, reports Tucson Weekly. According to owner/pizzaiolo/James Beard Award winner Bianco: the new pizzeria will go into a 2,000 square foot building in downtown Tucson, and will hopefully open in November.

Pizzeria Bianco is known for a limited menu of wood-fired pizzas that use local ingredients, and also for being insanely popular. (Lines stretch out the door most of the time.) Bianco also owns Pane Bianco (sandwiches), Bar Bianco (booze), and Italian Restaurant (Italian restaurant), all in Phoenix.

Bianco consulted on a "wood-fired flatbread" (not pizzas) chain for Jamie Oliver in the UK called Union Jacks. Bianco tells the Arizona Daily Star, "My relationship with Jamie will be a huge part of what we bring to Tucson." It's unclear exactly what that means? Oliver has invested in North American restaurants before, helping former employee Derek Dammann to open Maison Publique in Montreal. Stay tuned.

· Pizzeria Bianco Is Opening In Downtown Tucson [Tucson Weekly via @jimmykimmel]
· Acclaimed Pizzeria Bianco to Open Restaurant in Tucson [Arizona Daily Star]
· All Chris Bianco Coverage on Eater [-E-]