Let's Eat: NYPD Pizza holds fundraiser for MDA

NYPD Pizza is offering a little luck of the Irish with every order by participating in the Shamrocks Against Dystrophy program.

In partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, NYPD Pizza, with a location at 9845 S. Priest Drive on Ray Road, is selling shamrocks for $1 or $5 each through March 17. Guests who participate will then receive a coupon for the equal amount to use again at the restaurant through the end of the campaign.

"The shamrock pays for itself," said Richard Stark, CEO of NYPD Pizza.

Stark said the goal is to increase the shamrock sales by 10 percent over the previous year to raise an excess of $30,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

One of the main things that sets NYPD Pizza apart is the water they use to make the dough. Stark said they use a filtration system to make the water as close to New York's water as possible.

"Water is critically important to any baked product. It makes up a substantial portion of our dough and makes a huge difference on the flavor and texture, and the ability to deliver a true, thin New York-style crust: crispy on the bottom, chewy on top," Stark said.

NYPD Pizza's most popular menu items include its pizza blanca, made with olive oil, crushed garlic, ricotta, mozzarella and either spinach or roma tomatoes. Stark said the Brooklyn family pizza, made with pepperoni, sausage and fresh basil, is their top-selling specialty pie.

Other items include garlic knots available by the dozen, either traditional or topped with melted mozzarella, and salads like the buffalo chicken caesar salad or the new sliced Italian beef salad. Other health-friendly options include the piadini, which is flat bread topped with light and fresh ingredients like chicken, chopped spinach, Kalamata olives and feta cheese, or Italian-style beef, romaine lettuce, Balsamic au jus, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, roasted red peppers and Romano cheese.

"(The piadini is) really different from any of the items on the menu," Stark said. "It's unique to NYPD Pizza -- no one locally is offering anything quite like this."

Last year, NYPD Pizza introduced a delivery service, which extends into Ahwatukee Foothills. For more information, call (480) 705-6973 or visit www.aznypdpizza.com.