The story of Pizza Mondo is of two lawyers who got tired of being lawyers.

Steve Koch and John Picarazzi, buddies from law school at the University of Oregon, hung up their jurists’ suits and ties in 1996 in exchange for aprons at Pizza Mondo, a tiny downtown pizza joint.

And they haven’t looked back.

The legal work was satisfying – they helped poor people out of tough situations – but demanding, and eventually Koch and Picarazzi got a little burned out.

So, Picarazzi got a few dough recipes from his father, a longtime Connecticut bakery owner, and found one that works best at Bend’s altitude (3,628 feet above sea level). The duo worked out their own pizza sauce recipe, which contains a mysterious tomato product they will not divulge, and Pizza Mondo was born.

Their pies are baked in a brick-floored oven to impart a smoky flavor and satisfying crunch.

Pizza is available by the slice or a whole pie at a time. The eatery also serves salads, sandwiches and calzones.

Ingredients at Pizza Mondo aren’t always standard. Sure, the place serves a classic pepperoni pie, but it also offers the Clubhouse, which includes chicken, bacon and tomatoes. They also offer white pizzas, for those who want to try something other than tomato-based sauce.

Koch said their ingredient choices set Pizza Mondo apart.

”Everything is made from scratch every day – the dough, sauce, chicken,” Koch said. ”We don’t just pull stuff out of boxes and get it pre-cut and sliced.”

Koch said they like the downtown hustle.

”I love being a downtown business,” he said. ”You feel like you’re part of the heart and soul of Bend.”

Pizza Mondo recently added a third owner, Cliff Triplett. Triplett was employed by Koch and Picarazzi for years before joining them in ownership.

Koch said he’s never regretted leaving the world of law for Pizza Mondo.

”One of the things that makes this business so rewarding for me is the positive feedback we get,” he said. ”That makes it all worthwhile to me.”

Pizza obviously surpasses the practice of law for these entrepreneurs, Pizza Mondo celebrated its 10th anniversary on Oct. 10.

– Julie Johnson

Pizza Mondo

Location: 811 N.W. Wall St., Bend

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Price Range: $2 to $3 for a slice, $10.50 to $22.75 for a pie

Alcoholic Beverages: Beer and wine

Kids’ Menu: No

Reservations: No

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover

Contact: 330-9093 or www.pizzamondobend.com