EAT: Pizza makes friends in Edwards

When Marko’s Pizzeria opened in Edwards 32 years ago, every order was taken with pen and paper with a name for the order at the top. Luckily, owner Marko Esteppe remembers every name he writes down and thus began building one of the most-loved family restaurants in the valley.

With more than 100 years of pizza-making experience on the staff now, Marko’s Pizzeria continues to be loved three decades later not just for its food and drinks, but for its community atmosphere and family feel. 

“Come in as strangers, leave as friends,” said Briana DeSanctis, who’s worked at Marko’s for over 20 years. 

If DeSanctis isn’t the first to greet you, be prepared for a friendly hello from the chef flipping pizza dough in the kitchen or Marko himself, who’s usually not far from the front door.

Marko’s Pizzeria is not just a local pizza shop, it’s a local pizza shop that gives back to the community. From supporting the Special Olympics every year to groups from the local high school, Esteppe is well aware that everyone loves pizza. Professional golfers, construction crews, medical staffs – Esteppe is happy to feed everyone quality food with quality ingredients.

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“If you call anybody else and say you want 35 pizzas, see what they say,” he said, laughing. “I say ‘Where do you want them, and when.'”

Marko’s makes pizza that is East Coast meets Colorado, with a thin crust and classic toppings. Or, keep an eye out for the seasonal fruit pizzas that will surely feature Palisade peaches when they are in season.

Of course it’s not just pizza — the menu has expanded over the years, and includes pastas, salads, subs, calzones, appetizers and sides.

The patio is pet-friendly and is a great spot to enjoy some ‘za and “the cheapest and coldest” beer in town.

Esteppe moved to the valley in 1985 from Pittsburgh on a mission to ski as hard as possible as he worked in landscaping, ski tech and a different pizza shop when not on the mountain. 

“I love pizza but I could never get pizza around here back then,” he said, pointing out how sparse the amenities were in Edwards three decades ago.

Esteppe changed that with Marko’s Pizzeria, serving everything from classic cheese to taco pizza, buffalo chicken to barbecue chicken pizza, supreme or gluten-free and everything in between. Wings, meatball subs, garlic and cheesy breads, house salads – Marko’s Pizzeria is everything a local pizza place should be, and then some.