Fabio on Fire's Pizzeria Italiana Brings Italy to Peoria
For the past two years, I’ve been working on two books (supporting our Arizona community of course! - Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance and Passion which came out in September of 2019, and Phoenix Cooks launching in September 2020). I haven’t been able to get back to in-depth chef interviews and restaurant features, but when I do, Fabio on Fire - PIzzeria Italiana will be at the top of the list!
Fabio Ceschetti
I first met Fabio Ceschetti a decade ago when he worked at Tutti Santi, and we’ve been friends ever since. Fabio, who has owned a successful catering company for years featuring a mobile wood-fired pizza oven (hence the “Fabio on Fire”), messaged me in the fall of 2016 with an idea. "I want to open a little spot,” he said. “I’m thinking our side of town, but I’m nervous. My wife thinks we can kill it this side of town, what do you think?” I agree! I responded. “I really hope you both are right,” he typed with a smiley face. In January of 2017, another message - “I have something to tell you but I’d like you to keep it a secret for now. I’m about to sign a lease for a new restaurant.”
Well, the rest is history.
Peoria welcomed this Italian chef and his wood-fired pizzas, fresh-baked bread, seasonal specials, handmade pastas and Italian desserts with open arms. The restaurant is so busy, he is about to expand for the second time, doubling his seating and adding a full bar.
Fall of 2019 UPDATE: Renovations complete!
And he has racked up the accolades:
"Fabio on Fire in Peoria could be one of the best new Italian restaurants" - 2017 (Dominic Amato; Arizona Republic)
Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat's Restaurant of the Month, Fabio On Fire (September/October 2017; Peoria Times)
USA Today's 10Best, Fabio On Fire (USA Today)
West Side Italian: Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante, Fabio On Fire Deliver Compelling Debuts (April 2018; Phoenix New Times)
The Best New Restaurants of 2017 (December 2017; Phoenix New Times)
One of these days, I’ll sit down with Fabio over a glass of wine and share some of his stories, but for now you’ll have to be content with a few snapshots of his delicious dishes on our many visits.
Fabio on Fire is located at 8275 W Lake Pleasant Pkwy #101, Peoria, AZ 85382 and is closed on Mondays. It is open 3 to 9 pm Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 am to 9 pm Friday through Sunday. TIP: This place is BUSY, but there is a handy Waitlist app on the website where you can put your name in to reserve your space in line. We do it a few minutes before we leave the house and usually are seated when we arrive: http://www.fabioonfire.com/