If you’ve ever lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, there are several things you’ve likely pledged your soul to: Breaking Bad, Hatch green chile, and the ranch dressing from Dion’s Pizza.

For us 505-area-coders, Dion’s means home. It’s where we celebrated with our families after soccer games, and where we hung with friends after the final bell rang. And after we left the homeland? We still had our parents send us bottles of the famous ranch dressing (made in house), and demanded a detour after being picked up from the airport.

When you step inside the newest location in Aurora, you’ll see the appeal. The venue doesn’t take itself too seriously, offering up cozy booth seating and an order-at-the-counter routine. Once you’ve placed your order, you can watch your pizza being made through the glass wall that separates the dining room from the kitchen—the elevated platform means that your little ones can watch too—then sit down and dig in.

For you newcomers, there are several options for pizza but don’t cheat yourself by passing up the Special (pictured). Smothered in cheese, sausage, olives, onions, mushrooms, pepperoni, and Hatch green chile (of course), this pizza is a slice of comfort. Dunk your piece into a side of ranch dressing for the full effect.

Another tip: If you’re hankering for a sub, Dion’s regulars recommend dipping the sandwich into the side of Greek dressing rather than pouring it over top to avoid compromising the crispy bread.

Denver certainly has its share of pizza spots, but Dion’s holds a unique charm that comes from decades of learning what customers love. I still visit New Mexico often, but in between trips I’m thrilled to know that a piece of home is as close as Aurora.

25750 E. Arapahoe Road, Aurora, 720-345-0600, dions.com