Located just outside the city limits of Black Hawk, at 5320 Highway 119, Blackhawk Pizza is making a name for itself as a delightful dining destination. Next to the Coyote Motel West, in a small plaza that also houses a dispensary and a liquor store, this new pizzeria is already generating buzz among locals and tourists alike.
Recently verified on Google and boasting a new, permanent sign, Blackhawk Pizza hopes to attract more tourist traffic. The business has so far thrived on local interest and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Samantha Waite, the granddaughter of owner Mike Estes, and her partner, Tyler Smith, run the establishment, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
On a sunny day, I visited Blackhawk Pizza to sample their offerings. As I arrived, Waite and Smith were busy training their new puppy, Maple, to sit obediently outside. The place was clean, bright, and inviting, with ample seating and four round picnic tables on the deck beside a grassy yard.
If you’re planning a pizza party, Blackhawk Pizza can accommodate up to 25 people indoors and a total of 40 guests including the outside tables.
Waite manages the front end while Smith, who favors cooking Italian cuisine, takes charge of the kitchen. The couple, both lifelong residents of Clear Creek County, have been together since middle school.
Smith’s culinary experience includes stints at Cabin Creek and Alpine in Georgetown, and Pickaxe Pizza and Mountain Prime in Idaho Springs.
Owner Mike Estes, originally from Boston, brings a love for New York-style pizza to Black Hawk.
Their calzones, described as “Boston-style,” feature the unique addition of red sauce. The commitment to quality is evident in their use of fresh ingredients sourced from a family farm that only harvests during the first 30 days of the season each year.
“I really enjoy what we do here. We do spend a little bit more on our ingredients, and it makes our food stand out,” said Smith.
Blackhawk Pizza offers delivery within a 15-minute radius, serving customers from Gold Mountain Village apartments in Central City to places as far as Smith Hill. They have also been delivering to the casinos, either at the valet area or a nearby corner, making it convenient for guests to enjoy their delicious offerings.
The menu features 14” and 18” pizzas with flavors like Easy Cheesy, Hawaiian, Chicken Pesto, and the House Special, which includes pepperoni, sausage, bell pepper, mushroom, and red onion.
I tried the House Calzone: the bread was crispy and golden, with a hint of red sauce complementing the fresh vegetables, juicy sausage, and pepperoni inside. It was delicious and generously portioned, enough for two servings.
The lunch special, available daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., includes a one-topping slice and a drink for $7.95. The pizzeria operates from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Tuesday.
In addition to pizzas and calzones, the menu offers drinks, cookies, and chips, with plans to add salads in the future.
“We are definitely going to try to expand the menu as we go,” shared Smith, who is experimenting with meatball subs and considering rotating weekly specials like taco or barbecue chicken pizzas, his personal favorite.
Blackhawk Pizza also sells T-shirts for $25 featuring the business logo, made by Smith’s mother.
The business maintains a presence on Facebook, Yelp, and Google, with a website in the works. They are still hiring kitchen help at $14.50 an hour, requiring one year of kitchen experience.
Samantha Waite shared, “We’ve been meeting a lot of locals lately and have had repeat business. Our regular customers know they can order pizza just the way they like it.” Almost every day, one patron orders an extra cheese, extra pepperoni pizza, with light sauce because she is confident in the skill and consistency given to her order.
For takeout orders or more information, call 303-582-3418. Blackhawk Pizza is poised to become a favorite for both locals and visitors alike, offering a slice of convenient, culinary excellence in the heart of the Peak to Peak.
