Amanda Mourelatos, Arizona Sonoran News

After years of uncertainty as the Broadway widening project slogged along and the pandemic interrupted business, Rocco’s Little Chicago is finally moving to a larger space at 2555 E. Broadway.

Rocco’s , home of Tucson’s Chicago-style pizza and pasta, has been at 2707 E. Broadway since 1998. Their new location is just down the street.

The move has been “a long time coming,” said owner Anthony “Rocco” DiGrazia. He said he will serve his last pizza from his original location on Oct. 6 and plans to be open in the 3,500-square-foot space after about two weeks as they make the transition.

”We’re stoked. It’s been a weird couple of years but now we’re firing on all cylinders,” he said.

DiGrazia said he wants the new location to “feel familiar, updated and comfortable” for customers both old and new. 

This new location has a large parking lot that Rocco’s will share with a sandwich shop, hair and nail salons and other tenants.

DiGrazia said that with the bigger space he will be able to offer catering services.

Kellie and Allen Barnes from Delaware went into Rocco’s for lunch days before Sunday’s planned pause. The couple said they like Chicago-style pizza and had found Rocco’s as a recommendation online. 

Bob Byars moved to Tucson 45 years ago from New York and has been going to Rocco’s for the past 20 years. 

“This is the real deal,” he said. 

Besides the food, Byars said that Rocco’s staff is truly a “team.” 

Despite the move, the Rocco’s “team” is not breaking up. 

Jennifer Chapman has worked at the restaurant for nine and a half years and, like most of her coworkers, will make the move to the new location.

 “Everyone except one is moving to the new location,” she said. 

 DiGrazia said the past few days have been a “nostalgic kick,” but he is still excited for the new location. 

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.