Arcadia hot spot Pizza to the Rescue brings great food for a great cause under one chic roof (and patio). On this puppy-friendly pizzeria’s menu is woodfired pizza, handmade pasta and craft beverages in a relaxed atmosphere that both humans and fur babies alike will love. In partnership with Almost There Rescue, restaurant co-owners/dog lovers Hunter Rodgers and Geri Hormel (who also owns the rescue) donate a part of all proceeds to help dogs in need.

We recently sat down with Rodgers to dish about pizza and puppies.

Q&A With Hunter Rodgers, Co-Owner of Pizza to the Rescue

What’s the story behind Pizza to the Rescue?

First and foremost, we’re a new locally owned and operated restaurant committed to serving great food and a greater purpose. Our motto is ‘Eat Pizza. Save Puppies.’ We believe that statement embodies our mission perfectly, as 25% of the proceeds from our pizza sales are donated to Almost There Rescue. We also cook over an open fire. We have no gas burners in the kitchen and no freezer, so all of our ingredients are as fresh as possible. There’s something fundamental about cooking with wood that you just can’t explain. It’s how I like to cook at home, and I feel it creates a greater connection to the ingredients.

Tell me more about Almost There Rescue.

ATR specializes in pregnant and nursing dogs and pups who need time and space to grow and become socialized. Their dogs experience a significant amount of socialization through their specialized programs while in their care. Their puppies go through a specially designed curriculum, ‘Puppy Culture,’ developed by a team of experts including behavioral veterinarians and credentialed trainers. They’ve rescued and found forever homes for thousands of dogs over their 10+ year history.

What’s on the menu at Pizza to the Rescue?

Our menu is both a classic and eclectic mix of Italian and Mediterranean staples inspired by my time spent back East during college and abroad on various trips for work and vacation. The cocktails are also inspired by this, but several have an Arizona/Southwestern or Italian twist to them. I designed the wine program to reflect some of my favorite regions of Italy that pair perfectly with our style of cuisine—in particular, highlighting Tuscany and the Piedmont region. As of now, we have about 80 labels in our cellar and counting. We also have an extensive spirits program with about 150 labels and over 50 amazing tequilas alone.

What was the process of creating the menu?

It was a fun and creative experience, with years of demo-ing recipes, taste-testing, research and inspiration converging on the menu we have today. Outside of pizza, favorites from all over the Mediterranean and beyond have found their way on our menu, like our Boquerónes (white anchovy) made famous by the tapas cafes in the Basque region of Spain, to the grilled artichokes, which are staples in Rome, Sardinia and Sicily.

What’s your favorite pizza on the menu?

Our margherita with added pepperoni is an all-time favorite. I also love our spicy chorizo pizza and funghi formaggio (seasonal mushroom) as well!

What’s the vibe like at the restaurant?

It’s a very fun and eclectic atmosphere. We want everyone to feel as if they’re at a fun house party with great food, music and hospitality. We also aim to have the most dog-friendly patio in the Valley. Oh, and adoptable puppies from ATR on the patio almost every night from 5-8 pm (weather permitting).

We love the atmosphere inside the pizzeria—who designed it?

Fortunately for me, my mom (Wendy Black Rodgers, 2023 Master of the Southwest winner) is an interior designer and my dad (Will Rodgers) graduated with a degree in architecture from ASU and has been in the branding space for nearly 50 years—so design has been hammered into my brain since the beginning. We used many ‘leftover’ materials from other projects, friends’ houses, and old storage units amongst friends and family. It was a really fun and creative process, and we certainly weren’t afraid to be eclectic. In fact, we aimed for a healthy amount of funk.

What’s your favorite thing about Pizza to the Rescue?

Our team, hands down. Every single day they show up and give it everything they have. Their commitment to excellence is inspiring and their eagerness to learn, improve and embody hospitality is what makes us who we are. Also, seeing our patio full of happy people and happy pups is what it’s all about.

What’s your favorite thing about Almost There Rescue?

The consistency of the amazing work they’ve been doing for over 10 years has saved thousands of dogs (averaging more than 600 per year recently). That’s a lot of lifelong amazing memories.

For more information, go to pizzatotherescuephx.com