Best Pizza Shop in Temple, Calgary — Rio Pizza Temple

When you think about good pizza in Temple, Calgary, there’s one name that repeatedly comes up: Rio Pizza Temple. With its beloved neighbourhood presence, consistent food quality, and a menu that blends comfort with creativity, many locals consider it the best pizza shop in Temple, Calgary. In this post, we explore what makes Rio Pizza Temple so special, how it compares, its offerings, its atmosphere, and tips for getting the most out of it.

The Pizza Landscape in Temple, Calgary

Temple is a residential neighbourhood in Northeast Calgary. While there are many pizza and fast-food options dotting the city, residents tend to favour places that combine fresh ingredients, friendly service, fair prices, and easy delivery or take-out. In a competitive environment, standing out means being more than just “another pizza place”.

What people in Temple often seek:

• Thin crust vs thick crust depending on preference 
• Generous toppings (meat, veggies, combinations) 
• Value for price (specials, combos) 
• Side offerings (wings, lasagna, salads) 
• Convenience: good hours, delivery/takeout, order through apps 

Rio Pizza Temple ticks a lot of those boxes, which is why it’s often ranked among the top contenders for best pizza shop in Temple, Calgary.

Meet Rio Pizza Temple

Before getting into why it’s trusted, here’s what Rio Pizza Temple is:

• Located at 5401 Temple Dr NE #111, Calgary, AB T1Y 3R7. riopizzatemple.com+2riopizzatemple.com+2 
• Hours: Opens Tuesday through Sunday from about 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Closed on Mondays. riopizzatemple.com+2Wanderlog+2 
• Owned by Alex Sinha. The “About Us” says the founder brings experience in hospitality, global flavours, and uses local suppliers. riopizzatemple.com+1 
• They make their own dough fresh daily, aim for a crispy thin crust, use high-quality ingredients. They also offer momos, lasagna, salads and some healthy options. Skip the Dishes+3riopizzatemple.com+3riopizzatemple.com+3 

Why Many Consider Rio Pizza Temple the Best Pizza Shop in Temple, Calgary

Here are the features, felt by customers, that elevate Rio Pizza Temple above many pizza-options in and around Temple:

1. Quality of Ingredients and Dough

One of the most common praises: Rio makes its dough fresh daily. This matters because fresh dough gives better flavour, better texture (crust that’s crisp on the edges but still chewy inside, when done right). riopizzatemple.com+1
Also, high quality toppings and sauce: not skimpy, good balance of cheese, meats, vegetables. riopizzatemple.com+2Skip the Dishes+2

2. Menu Variety Beyond Just Pizza

While pizza is the star, Rio Pizza Temple offers more:

• Momos (steamed dumplings) in various fillings: chicken, beef, pork, veggie. These are well-received. Restaurantji+1 
• Lasagna and salads are also part of the menu. Useful if people accompany non-pizza eaters or just want something lighter or different. riopizzatemple.com+1 

This variety makes it more than just a pizza joint; a place you can go with friends or family and everyone finds something.

3. Crust Options & Specialties

Rio offers both thin crust and thicker crust styles. For those who like crisp thin crust pizza, Rio hits well. Some diners specifically call that out. Wanderlog+2Restaurantji+2
They also have “House Specials” and “Rio Special” pizzas with generous toppings. Things like ham, pepperoni, beef, mushroom, onion, green pepper & pineapple show that they’re not holding back. Skip the Dishes+1

4. Value & Deals

Rio Pizza Temple offers good value with its pricing. The “House Specials”, combo pizzas, build-your-own options give customers flexibility to spend less or more depending on what they want. Skip the Dishes+1
Also, extras like dips, side items, make meal combinations worthwhile. riopizzatemple.com

5. Convenience in Ordering & Location

• Convenient pick-up location in Temple NE. riopizzatemple.com+2MapQuest+2 
• Available through popular delivery or ordering apps like Skip the Dishes. riopizzatemple.com+2riopizzatemple.com+2 
• Regular hours in the evening which suit people wanting dinner or late-afternoon munchies. Wanderlog+1 

6. Customer Feedback & Reputation

Rio Pizza Temple has good ratings:

• On Wanderlog, around 4.2 stars. Wanderlog 
• Restaurantji shows positive comments: fresh ingredients, good toppings, clean and welcoming atmosphere. Restaurantji 
• Many locals in Reddit threads praise their thin crust option at Rio. Reddit 

Of course, no place is perfect — there are some negative reviews, mostly about specific orders or delivery issues. But these seem to be in the minority. canadainf.com+1

Potential Weaknesses (So You Know What to Expect)

No business is flawless. Here are some drawbacks or things people mention for Rio Pizza Temple:

• Some reviews claim occasional delivery or order accuracy issues. For example, raw vegetables or veggies not cooked enough. canadainf.com+1 
• Because they offer both thin and thick crust, sometimes expectations differ; someone who loves ultra-thin may find thicker crust options more doughy. 
• Limited hours (especially closed on Monday) may disappoint someone looking for pizza on that day. Wanderlog+1 

What to Order: Customer Favorites & Must-Try Items

When you visit Rio Pizza Temple, here are some items many locals recommend:

• Rio Special Pizza: loaded with ham, back bacon, pepperoni, salami, beef, mushrooms, onion, green peppers, pineapple. Great full-flavour combo. Skip the Dishes+1 
• Combo Special Pizza: for those who want a mix of meats & veggies. Skip the Dishes 
• Vegetarian Special: solid for non-meat eaters. Green pepper, olives, onion, pineapple, mushrooms & tomato. Skip the Dishes 
• Build Your Own Pizza: if you want to customise toppings. Good option especially if you like something specific. Uber Eats+1 
• Steamed Momos: a standout side item or appetizer. Chicken or veggie momos are popular. Restaurantji+2Restaurants10+2 
• Lasagna: for those who want more than pizza; rich and cheesy and a good alternative. riopizzatemple.com+1 

Atmosphere & Ambience

Rio Pizza Temple is more of a casual spot — take-out / delivery / dine in casually, not formal fine dining. The décor is functional, clean, welcoming. People come with family, friends, kids, order in, take out. The expectation is good food, warm service.

Because it’s neighbourhood-based, many customers are repeat customers who value consistency, friendliness, and reliability.

Why Rio Pizza is the Best Pizza Shop in Temple, Calgary

Putting together all the qualities above, here’s a summary of why many people consider Rio Pizza Temple the best pizza shop in Temple, Calgary:

1. Taste & Flavor: The crusts (especially thin) are often praised. Toppings are generous and fresh. Sauce flavour is good. 
2. Variety: Not only pizzas, but also momos, lasagna, salads. Multifaceted menu for different cravings. 
3. Value for Money: Good pricing, house specials, combo deals, plus portion sizes are reasonable. 
4. Accessibility: Convenient location, multiple ordering options (apps / in person), decent hours. 
5. Positive Reputation: Strong reviews, good ratings, happy customers who return. 

Even with some complaints, the positives well outweigh negatives for many residents.

How to Get the Best Experience at Rio Pizza Temple

If you plan to go, here are some tips to maximize your experience:

• Order during non-peak times: If you want more careful prep, avoid immediately when they open or just before closing. 
• Specify crust preference clearly: If you want thin-crust or want toppings cooked more (e.g. mushrooms, onions), you can ask them. 
• Try their house specials: For flavour combos, the pre-set specials often deliver more value. 
• Add side items: The momos are well-reviewed; if you like dumplings, adding them adds variety. 
• Check for deals on Skip the Dishes or other apps: Sometimes they have specials via delivery apps. 
• Be patient with delivery times: If ordering via apps, there may be delays; call if something’s way off. 

Comparison with Other Pizza Options

While Rio Pizza Temple is often considered the best in Temple, there are other places around Calgary with good reputations. However, many of those are further away, or don’t offer the same combination of variety, local service, or consistency. For people who live in Temple or nearby, Rio’s proximity gives it an edge. Also, the mix of comfort food beyond pizza adds to its attractiveness vs places that only do pizza.

Conclusion

If you’re searching for the best pizza shop in Temple, Calgary, Rio Pizza Temple deserves strong consideration. Between fresh dough, good crusts, flavorful toppings, variety, decent prices, and strong community reputation, it’s become a go-to for many in the area.

If you haven’t tried it yet, go for one of their House Specials, or build your own, maybe with a side of momos, and judge for yourself. And if you do try, happy eating!