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Chandler’s Best Pizza? The Debate Heats Up as New Eats, Festivals & Freebies Arrive
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Chandler’s Best Pizza? The Debate Heats Up as New Eats, Festivals & Freebies Arrive
Pizza, pups, pumpkins, music & more—catch up on Chandler’s latest!
Chandler Local Staff

Chandler Local Staff

How well do you know Chandler?

Before founding Chandler, Dr. Alexander John Chandler became the Arizona Territory’s first surgeon in what field?

Keep your guess handy—the answer is at the bottom.

Best Of Phenix - Pizza 2026

Best of Chandler - Pizza 2026

🍕🏆 Congratulations to Bella Gusto Urban Pizzeria, our 1st Place winner for Best of Chandler Pizza 2026!

 

Try Bella Gusto for yourself, get 50% Off one Margherita Pizza. Offer expires Oct. 31, 2026. Must Mention Promo Code: PIZZA26 to get discount.

 

Thank you for making Chandler such a great place for pizza lovers!

And thank you to everyone who voted and supported our local restaurants!

 

Bella Gusto Urban Pizzeria

Warner Plaza, 1964 N Alma School Rd #1, Chandler, AZ 85224 · Chandler, AZ

 
A big congratulations to all qualifying contestants and finalists: Best Pizza & Brew Chandler, Zzeeks Pizza, Crust Simply Italian Chandler, Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta, and Shane’s Pizza on 87. 
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North Italia plans to open November 11 at 7221 W. Ray Road in The Shoppes at Casa Paloma.

 

The Chandler restaurant will occupy the former Z'Tejas space, with an open kitchen, covered patio and indoor and outdoor seating.

 

Plans include handmade pasta and pizza, lunch, weekend brunch, dinner, happy hour and takeout.

 

Open interviews are announced through October 25 for restaurant positions.

 

Confirm opportunities through the company careers information.

 

Check the official Chandler listing for opening updates, reservation availability, current menus and operating hours before visiting.


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The Sonoran Sunset Series opens October 15 with Outside the Line at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road.

 

Free performances run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month through March 18, 2027.

 

The season also features Dean Nelson, What's Left, Radio Replay, Pick & Holler and Traveler.

 

Seating is first-come, and visitors may bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks or beverages in small coolers.

 

Alcohol is not permitted.

 

Check the individual event listing before attending, and call 480-782-2890 with questions.


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Applications for Chandler's free 2027 CIVIC program are open through November 8.

 

The 14-session program runs January through June and offers city-service tours, interactive activities and meetings with local leaders.

 

Applicants must be Chandler residents age 18 or older, cannot be current city employees and must commit to at least ten sessions.

 

Twenty-five residents will be selected through a competitive application process.

 

Most sessions are Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7 p.m., with exceptions and optional activities on the full calendar.

 

Review the schedule and eligibility information before applying.


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Chandler's household hazardous waste giveaway runs November 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. at 955 E. Queen Creek Road.

 

Eligible Chandler residents must bring photo ID and a utility bill showing their current address.

 

Products are free, first-come and cannot be reserved; customers are limited to ten items and must complete a waiver.

 

Available supplies vary, with no particular product guaranteed.

 

The event will not accept hazardous-waste drop-offs.

 

Call 480-782-3510 for eligibility questions or to schedule a separate disposal appointment.


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Woofstock returns November 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, with free admission.

 

The planned program includes dog demonstrations, agility, flyball, pet adoptions and vendors.

 

The Puparazzi Photo Contest is scheduled to open October 16 and closes November 15 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Residents and non-residents can submit an eligible original pet photograph under the published rules.

 

The form is marked closed ahead of the opening date, so check its status when submissions begin.

 

Finalist voting takes place at Woofstock, with the winner announcement scheduled for November 24.


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The 27th Annual Mariachi and FolklĂłrico Festival returns November 1 at 4 p.m. to Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue.

 

The Arizona-focused lineup includes Mariachi Pueblo Viejo, Mariachi Nueva Fusion, Evelyn Ozuna and Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ.

 

Advertised all-in ticket tiers range from $49 to $79.

 

An earlier free Entre Dos Mundos community celebration is separate from the paid mainstage performance.

 

C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona also lists an October 20 scholarship application deadline, with recipients recognized at the festival.

 

Check complete scholarship requirements and current event information before making plans.


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Outside the Line band photo via City of Chandler.

Thursday, October 15 · 6–7:30 p.m.
Veterans Oasis Park · 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road
Free admission.

Outside the Line opens the Sonoran Sunset Series with a Motown-inspired mix of soulful favorites. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and settle in for an outdoor evening with friends. Small coolers with snacks and beverages are welcome; alcohol is not permitted.

Concert details at the City of Chandler

Ballet FolklĂłrico La Llorona. Event photo via City of Chandler.

Saturday, October 17 · 9 a.m.–noon
Downtown Library · 22 S. Delaware Street
Free, family-friendly admission.

Celebrate Chandler’s Mexican American culture with Ballet Folklórico La Llorona, photos with Lucha Libre personalities, lowrider exhibits and hands-on art. Paper flowers and Día de los Muertos-inspired creations make this an easy morning outing for all ages.

Fiesta details at the City of Chandler

Pumpkin Dunk event photo via City of Chandler.

Saturday, October 24 · noon–2 p.m.
Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center · 5901 S. Hillcrest Drive
$5 · Registration required.

Save a spot for a different kind of pumpkin outing: Chandler is turning the heated pool into a floating pumpkin patch. Families can also take part in an on-deck costume contest. This event falls next week, so check availability and register ahead.

Pumpkin Dunk details and registration

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Have a project or a door that needs attention? Request a free consultation or call (480)805-2000

AddressEast Valley
Days OpenOpen 7 days a week
Hours24/7
Phone480-805-2000
Request a Free Estimate
đź’ˇ Answer to Trivia Question:
Veterinary medicine. Dr. Alexander John Chandler was the Arizona Territory’s first veterinary surgeon.
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