By Kelly Marquez
Racca’s Pizzeria Neapolitan
Location: 2129 Larimer St. Denver, CO (Ballpark)
Reservations: Open Table Only (Restaurant Application)
Contact Info: (303)-296-7000
Hours: 11:00a.m.-10:00p.m. Sunday- Thursday & 11:00 a.m.- 11:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday
Type: Authentic Italian Food
Price Range: $9.00-$18.00 Regular Menu (Daily Happy Hour Specials 3pm-6pm)
If you happen to be in the Denver area, and you are looking for real, authentic Italian food,
Racca’s Pizzeria Neapolitan is the place to go. Racca’s Pizzeria, formally known as Marco’s
Coal Fired Pizza, was founded by a husband and wife whose dream was to open a traditional
Neapolitan pizzeria, instead of conforming to the American styles of pizza.
Racca’s was voted Denver’s best pizzeria by Westword and 5280 Magazine with authentic ingredients imported straight from Italy. According to Racca’s website, after training under the best Pizzaioli artisan in the world, the owners and their team were awarded the Associazione Versace Pizza Napoletana certification and are, to this day, the only certified Neapolitan pizzeria in the state of Colorado.
The atmosphere is very laid back and also very enjoyable. It’s a great place to sit back
and watch a Rockies game while grabbing a bite to eat. Racca’s has several seating options.
Diners can choose to sit at the bar, upstairs or down in the dining area or on the patio.
Unfortunately, this restaurant does not accept reservations, but you can request a held spot on Open Table, a restaurant application. I personally have never needed to use it. We have visited on several occasions, and I think we have only had to wait for a table twice, which was no more than a 15-minute wait.
Racca’s service is proficient, and most of the servers are very welcoming. My husband’s and my initial experience was very pleasant, as we were welcomed by one of the managers. She gave us a brief explanation of the menu items and background about the restaurant, while making us feel right at home. My husband and I had never experienced such friendly service; it left us both with a footprint of an impression. Since then, every time we’ve stopped in to eat and she is working, she will always make it a point to come to our table and ask us how we are doing, striking up a conversation as though she has known us for many years. We have made several appearances, and every time we arrive, we are always welcomed with such great hospitality. Whenever we’re in the downtown area and craving pizza, Racca’s is our go-to spot.
When I go out to eat I seek great taste and good vibes, and Racca’s has both. Their pizza is my ultimate favorite; however, they have a variety of dishes that are excellent. They use fresh imported ingredients straight from Italy, down to the sauce, cheese and crust. I usually get the gluten-free Margherita pizza ($16), which consist of fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, pecorino romano and fresh basil.
The blazing 900-degree temperatures of coal-fired oven pizza produce nicely charred, crisp pies at the speed of lightning is another great aspect for this made-to-order pizza. Each pizza comes in either a 10-inch or 12-inch, each large enough to feed 1 to 2 people. The crust is thin and baked to perfection, giving it that slight crunch with each bite; the sauce and cheese will melt in your mouth. The Campania pizza, lasagna and coal-fired Limoncello chicken wings are a few other great choices.
Overall, I would have to give this restaurant an A rating; the experience you will receive
will be absolutely worth it. Not only is the service great, the atmosphere is enjoyable and the
food is exceptional. This restaurant has yet to disappoint, just remember it’s located in
downtown, where parking can be a nuisance.
