Secret Pizza Popup

Happy Joe’s Coffee by Day, Happy Joe’s Pizza by Night: Tempe’s Secret Detroit-Style Pop-Up You Need To Try

Every city has hidden gems. The kind of places you hear about through friends, coworkers, or someone whispering, “You have to try this spot before everyone finds out.” In Tempe, that hidden gem sits quietly inside a daytime coffee shop called Happy Joe’s Coffee. Most of the week, it is exactly what you expect from a neighborhood café. It is cozy, warm, full of the smell of espresso, and ideal for meetings, studying, remote work, or casual caffeine cravings.



But on Friday nights, something entirely different happens. When the sun starts to set and the espresso machines take their final breath for the day, the ovens turn on. The owner shifts gears, the dough comes out, and the whole shop transforms into an underground pizza pop-up with a cult-like following. Happy Joe’s Coffee becomes Happy Joe’s Pizza for a few hours once a week, offering small-batch Detroit-style pies that Tempe locals have quickly fallen in love with.

This is not a gimmick. It is not a novelty. It is not a theme night. It is one person’s passion project turned community event. The owner dedicates his Friday evenings to crafting some of the most consistently delicious Detroit-style pizzas in the Valley. The batches are small. The flavors are big. The energy is electric.

Only thirty to forty pizzas are made each week. When they are gone, they are gone. There is a sense of urgency around this pop-up that makes the experience feel special, almost exclusive. You have to know about it. You have to plan for it. And once you try it, you get why people come early, line up, and hope luck is on their side.

Below is the full breakdown of what makes Happy Joe’s Pizza one of the most unique and delicious hidden food experiences in Tempe.

A Coffee Shop With a Secret Night Life

During the day, Happy Joe’s Coffee is exactly what you want from a neighborhood cafe. It is warm and approachable. The staff knows regulars by name. Students set up laptops for long study sessions. Locals run in for iced lattes. The vibe is laid back and friendly.

But beneath the calm daytime atmosphere, the space holds another identity. The owner, who is passionate about both coffee and pizza, created a small ritual that turns the café into something completely different after hours. It all starts with dough resting quietly behind the scenes, prepared and ready for the Friday transformation.

By the time evening arrives, the energy shifts. Tables move. The ovens fire up. The ingredients come out. Regulars begin to gather, knowing exactly what is about to happen. It is almost theatrical in its transformation. A cozy morning hangout becomes a Friday night pizza destination, the kind of place that feels like a secret only certain people are lucky enough to know.

The contrast between daytime serenity and nighttime excitement creates a unique dual identity that sets Happy Joe’s apart from any other place in Tempe.

The Detroit-Style Difference

Before diving into the pizzas themselves, it is worth explaining what makes Detroit-style pizza special. It is one of the most distinctive styles in the United States, known for its thick, airy crust, its rectangular shape, and its caramelized cheese edges created by pressing cheese all the way to the pan. The outer crust becomes buttery and crisp. The interior stays soft and fluffy. The cheese melts deep into the dough. The sauce is often added on top rather than spread beneath the cheese.

Detroit-style pies are decadent without being heavy, comforting without being bland, and structure-driven in a way that makes every slice texturally satisfying. They have crunch, chew, richness, and depth. They hold toppings well. They reheat beautifully. And when done right, they create one of the most satisfying pizza experiences imaginable.

Happy Joe’s Pizza does it right. Not rushed. Not mass-produced. Not overcomplicated. Just thoughtfully made Detroit-style pies crafted in small batches with care.

It is the kind of pizza you can taste the effort in. The kind of pizza where each component has intention. The kind of pizza that makes you understand why the weekly limit exists. This is not fast food. It is handcrafted, small-batch, once-a-week cooking created with passion.

The Small Batch Ritual

Only thirty to forty pizzas are made each Friday night. That limit is both practical and purposeful. It keeps quality consistent. It reflects the scale of the operation. It ensures every pizza gets the attention it deserves. It turns the weekly pop-up into an event.

People often arrive early. Some call ahead to check quantities. Others simply take their chances and hope they walk in before the last pies are claimed. There is excitement in that unpredictability, but there is also something communal about it. Customers start conversations. They share recommendations. They bond over the shared knowledge that they are experiencing something special.

This is small-batch cooking at its best. Limited quantity. High quality. A sense of occasion. And a sense of belonging among the people who know.

The Classic Cheese

Sometimes the simplest option says the most. The Classic Cheese pizza at Happy Joe’s is a perfect introduction to their Detroit-style approach. The crust is thick but airy, light but satisfying. The cheese melts down into the dough, creating a gooey, bubbly layer that stretches beautifully with each slice.

The edges caramelize into that signature crispy, golden frico, giving every slice a crunchy border that contrasts perfectly with the softness inside. The sauce is bright and balanced, adding acidity and sweetness without overpowering the richness of the cheese.

This pizza highlights the fundamentals. The dough. The cheese. The sauce. The bake. It is the kind of pizza that feels timeless, comforting, and universally appealing.

Pepperoni

Pepperoni is a favorite everywhere, but Detroit-style pepperoni takes things to a new level. Happy Joe’s Pepperoni pizza features crispy, cup-and-char pepperoni that curls into tiny flavor-packed cups as it bakes. The edges develop a smoky crisp. The centers hold small pools of savory oil that enhance each bite.

The fat from the pepperoni seeps slightly into the cheese and crust, adding richness and depth. The top becomes a mosaic of crisped pepperoni cups, melted cheese, and caramelized edges. It is both indulgent and balanced. The crust remains airy and soft in the middle, keeping the pizza from feeling heavy.

This is the kind of pepperoni pizza that satisfies the craving for something classic while still feeling elevated and thoughtfully made.

Jalapeño Ricotta Hot Honey

This is the breakout star. The Jalapeño Ricotta Hot Honey pizza is the flavor combination that takes Detroit-style pizza to a more creative place. It hits every craving all at once: sweet, spicy, creamy, savory, and aromatic.

The ricotta creates a soft, velvety contrast against the crisp crust. The jalapeños add heat and freshness. The hot honey drizzled over the top ties the entire slice together with a sweet, sticky finish that enhances every component.

This is the pizza that often turns someone from a first-time visitor into a Friday night regular. The flavor balance is addictive. The textures are perfect. And the entire experience is unmistakably special.

It is the kind of pizza you think about later. The kind you tell friends about. The kind you come back for.

The Atmosphere on Friday Nights

What makes Happy Joe’s Pizza even more memorable is the energy inside the shop on Friday nights. The vibe is relaxed but buzzing. The anticipation builds as customers walk in, glance at the list, and hope their preferred pizza is still available. There is warmth in the interactions. The staff moves quickly but with intention. Conversations flow easily. Everyone feels like they are part of a weekly ritual.

There is no late-night chaos. No overwhelming noise. Just the comfortable hum of people gathering for something good. The kind of place where you feel welcomed immediately, even if it is your first time.

Because it happens only once a week, Friday nights have an almost celebratory quality. They feel like an event. They feel like a tradition.

The Dual Identity of Happy Joe’s

One of the most compelling aspects of Happy Joe’s is its dual identity. Most days, it is a coffee shop. A place to work, meet, read, sip, and settle in. The drinks are crafted with care. The staff gets to know regulars. The atmosphere is peaceful and productive.

Then Friday arrives and the space transforms. The lights shift. The energy rises. The ovens come alive. The entire shop becomes a small-batch pizza kitchen.

This duality adds a unique charm. It makes the pizza feel even more special because it exists only within this narrow window of time. You cannot come on Tuesday for it. You cannot order it for lunch. You cannot get it any day except Friday. That rarity makes the pop-up feel like a secret worth sharing carefully.

It is the kind of concept that gives a city character. The kind of place students love, locals claim, and the community quietly protects.

What To Order On Your First Visit

If you are trying Happy Joe’s Pizza for the first time, here is exactly how to do it right.

Arrive early
Do not risk missing out. Thirty to forty pizzas go fast.

Start with the Classic Cheese
It shows you the foundation of their Detroit-style technique.

Share a Pepperoni
Perfectly crisp edges, lots of flavor, universal crowd-pleaser.

Do not leave without trying the Jalapeño Ricotta Hot Honey
This is the star of the menu. Sweet heat perfection.

Bring friends
Detroit-style pizza is rich, shareable, and ideal for group tasting.

Enjoy the vibe
The Friday night energy is half the experience.

Practical Details

Happy Joe’s Pizza
Inside Happy Joe’s Coffee
213 E 7th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281

Friday nights only
5 pm to 9 pm
First come, first serve
Only thirty to forty pies per week

Great for
Late night cravings
Weekend rituals
Group hangouts
Detroit-style pizza fans
Foodies looking for hidden gems
Students and locals
People who love exclusive, small-batch experiences

Final Thoughts

Happy Joe’s Pizza is one of Tempe’s best kept secrets. A coffee shop by day and a Detroit-style pizza pop-up by night, it brings together creativity, craft, and community in a way that feels rare and refreshing. The pizzas are thoughtfully made, limited in quantity, and unforgettable in flavor. The Classic Cheese is comforting. The Pepperoni is crispy perfection. The Jalapeño Ricotta Hot Honey is the star.

The experience of getting pizza here feels like being in on something special. It is small-batch cooking with big heart. A once-a-week ritual that brings people together over slices that taste like effort, passion, and joy.

If you are anywhere near Tempe on a Friday night, you have to try Happy Joe’s Pizza.