MARKET STREET PIZZA

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Aaron Fiorini dreams of pizza. A Spokane native with Italian heritage, Fiorini grew up cooking and says he became “infatuated” with pizza. As a child, he often dined at Five Mile Heights Pizza Parlor, a once-beloved spot in North Spokane. Though that restaurant has long since closed, much of its legacy lives on in Market Street Pizza.

“Pretty much everything we’ve built over here all came from my childhood love of the classic pizzerias that had all the arcade games,” Fiorini says.

Even Fiorini’s love story with his wife and now business partner, Angel, stems from pizza. The two both grew up in the Hillyard neighborhood and reconnected shortly after high school when Fiorini ordered pizza, and Angel happened to be the delivery person.

“I guess you could say it was love at first slice,” he says with a smile. “My wife is the backbone of the business. She’s the one that does the day-to-day — the payroll, the taxes and the logistical nightmare of running a restaurant.”

Fiorini describes himself as the “dreamer.” He created the menu for Market Street Pizza using his own recipes. Through careful research of other pizzerias and hand selection of all his ingredients, Fiorini created a niche for Market Street’s pizzas.

“I practiced pizza every day,” he says. “I looked into who makes the best pizza. I’m goalfocused on doing an Italian-American pizza, what everybody considers New York-style. Then, I started learning the regions of pizza. I started learning I actually didn’t want New York pizza. I like a more charred pizza, and not too thin crust.”

Market Street Pizza opened in November 2019, just a few months before the pandemic’s onset. Once mask and social-distancing mandates set in, Fiorini says the business was “thoroughly, absolutely [and] totally” affected.

Fiorini describes having to let staff go, give away his food stock and close the business for a month. Once he returned to the restaurant, he was on the verge of losing the building completely. That’s when the Fiorinis did some brainstorming and decided to do deliveries, including pizza, lasagnas, loaves of bread and even cocktails.

“We’re lucky enough to have food that was deliverable,” he says. “It saved us.”

Through the dedication and hard work of their crew, Market Street Pizza emerged from the pandemic, perhaps stronger than ever. They continue serving customers at their flagship Hillyard location, and now, after months of preparation, are sharing the Market Street Pizza experience with Spokane Valley at a new location near Sprague and Bowdish.

“We’ve already created a brand. You know what you’re getting when you go into a Market Street Pizza,” Fiorini says. “It’s relaxed, it’s blue collar, but you can come here and get a great martini.”

— SAMANTHA HOLM

2nd PLACE: The Flying Goat

3rd PLACE: Versalia Pizza

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Embers, Hauser and Post Falls

BEST BURRITOS ATILANO’S MEXICAN FOOD

The ingredients are compelling enough. Atilano’s offers burritos with chorizo, with steak, with fish, and with tongue and seasoned pork. And that’s not even counting the whole list of breakfast burritos. But this is not what makes Atilano’s great. The most important thing a burrito joint can do is to be there for you in your hours of greatest need. At 2:30 in the morning, when the grocery stores have long closed, and the Taco Bells of the world have turned out their lights, there Atilano’s remains: a beacon of sanctuary, a symbol of hope for the hungry masses. (DW)

2nd PLACE: Neato Burrito; 3rd PLACE: Slick Rock Burrito

Best Chef Chad White

Casual diners have certainly heard of Chad White, who often gets called Spokane’s “celebrity chef,” but White is much more than that, as his supporters and customers certainly know. A Spokane Valley native, proud Navy veteran, fierce competitor — he wowed judges on season 13 of Bravo’s Top Chef — and wildly inventive chef and businessman. White has earned an impressive following at his diverse restaurants, including Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar, Uno Más Taco Shop, and TT’s Old Iron Brewery and BBQ. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Michael Wiley

(Wiley’s Downtown Bistro, Prohibition Gastropub, Scratch/Rain)

3rd PLACE: Tony Brown (Ruins, Hunt)

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Adam Hegsted

(Honey Eatery & Social Club, Republic Kitchen + Taphouse)

Best Sandwiches Domini Sandwiches

“Hands down the reigning king of great sandwiches. If you’re looking for small portions, then don’t go here. Owner Tom is the best!” (Frank C.); “Meat and cheese!” (Wendy G.); “Spokane icon.”

(Leslie S.)

2nd PLACE: Garland Sandwich Shoppe

3rd PLACE: The High Nooner

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST SANDWICHES MELTZ EXTREME GRILLED CHEESE

“Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? Meltz takes this favorite to whole new levels with delicious combinations of top-notch ingredients.” (Danielle B.)

BEST CATERER LONDON’S ULTIMATE CATERING

“She managed our wedding reception really well and follows through on everything. She made it really fun to put on an event.” (Cheryl G.); “London is a badass who gets things done! The food is amazing, and the service is even better. Womanowned and operated business — yes!” (Ria T.)

2nd PLACE: Beacon Hill Catering & Events

3rd PLACE: Feast World Kitchen

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Graze and Rosé, Coeur d’Alene

Best Candy Spokandy

If you’ve never had a sweet treat made by Spokandy, are you even a Spokanite? This local candymaker has been going strong for 110 years, creating unique chocolate treats. They still practice the same techniques and traditions that were used when Terrence J. Riley opened the original candy store in 1913. You know what they say: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! (MP)

2nd PLACE: Bruttles Gourmet Candy Shoppe

3rd PLACE: Halletts Chocolates

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweet Shop, Coeur d’Alene

Best Charcuterie Board Wanderlust Delicato

Prepare to be wowed by everything that shows up on the charcuterie board prepared by Wanderlust Delicato, the region’s pre-eminent spot for artisan cheese, meats, wine and more, but that’s the point. Visit its downtown location to see for yourself how much care goes into choosing and preparing sophisticated snackables for takeout or dine-in, including at one of this popular venue’s many tasting events. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Boards by Brit

3rd PLACE: Graze and Rosé

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Stylus Wine and Vinyl Bar, Coeur d’Alene