Crust Simply Italian, a local chain known for its Sicilian-style pizza and extensive pasta selection, recently launched a creative new concept called Calzone Connection.
Calzone connoisseurs can now order specialty craft calzones for pickup or delivery from the Crust locations in Scottsdale and Chandler. A Gilbert location is also slated to open later this year.
These aren’t your average Italian turnovers – small, doughy dishes typically filled with meat and cheese. Calzone Connection’s creations are roughly the size of a football and are packed with innovative ingredients including lobster ravioli, lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and linguini alfredo and bacon.
Calzone Connection is the brainchild of Crust founder and owner Michael Merendino, who was inspired by off-the-menu meals concocted by his kitchen staff and the more traditional dishes he ate growing up in his father’s pizzeria.
The calzone business was also born out of the pandemic, a tough period for restaurants. Merendino and his employees took that time to get creative in the kitchen. “We started making these wild calzones,” he says.
Calzone Connection is available for delivery through third-party apps or pickup at Crust during its regular business hours.
“We go beyond the dishes we’re serving,” he says. “We love to create our own.”
