When it comes to comfort food, few dishes evoke the same level of universal love and satisfaction as pizza. It’s the ultimate canvas for culinary creativity and capable of satisfying a variety of tastes and preferences. That’s why we’re excited to be unveiling the five winning pizzas from our first ever pizza contest on March 21st! The crews at each of our five restaurants selected a winner for their respective locations after a taste test of finalists. Below are the five winning pizzas- each one as unique and amazing as the individuals that created them- with their chefs! Each pizza will start at it’s winning restaurant this Thursday, March 21st. Visit all five Zachary’s to taste each winning pizza and see which one is your favorite!

Special thanks again to everyone who participated in this contest and congratulations to all of our winners! We had so much fun and we think our communities are going to love these pies as much as we do 🎉🤗

NORTH BERKELEY-

PIZZA BAYOU, by Kenny Khan
Blackened seasoned chicken, sliced Andouille sausage, red and green bell peppers, garlic and mozzarella cheese.

Kenny being chosen as the winner at Zachary’s North Berkeley just felt right. Born and raised locally and having gone to elementary and high school in El Cerrito, Kenny literally grew up eating at and sharing special moments with us at Zachary’s North Berkeley, including his first date with his wife! Even his time away during college at UC Santa Cruz couldn’t deter his love of Zachary’s- he just made sure to stock up on half-baked pizzas to take with him. For Kenny, Zachary’s is more than just a pizza shop. It’s community and family. We couldn’t agree more and are so grateful and thankful to be a part of both. Having a strong knowledge of our pizza composition and flavors, Kenny was able to build his recipe from there, knowing exactly what flavors would pair perfectly with our sauce and crust. And let us tell ya, he didn’t miss. Cheers to Kenny, and cheers to many more years to come of sharing special moments and meals! Can’t wait to see the kiddos in wearing their Zachary’s t-shirts for pizza night soon 😊

PLEASANT HILL-

INDIAN SUNRISE, by Sheetal Randev
Tikka masala seasoned chicken, roasted red peppers, garlic, onions, mozzarella, topped with fresh cilantro. Available stuffed or thin crust.

When you meet Sheetal, the first thing you notice is the joy and enthusiasm she radiates, which made sitting down to chat with her a real treat! The inspiration for the Indian Sunrise came from her mother, Mama Randev. Thinking of how Mama Randev expresses love through food and how her food brings family and friends together, Sheetal wanted to connect her favorite American pizza to her mother’s home kitchen in London. With a “from our kitchen to yours” concept, she did exactly that with this delicious and comforting pizza, successfully merging our kitchen with Mama Randev’s. Our favorite part of the interview though? FaceTiming with Mama Randev in London to show her her award winning pizza recipe! Congratulations, Sheetal and Mama Randev! We can’t wait for everyone to taste this love imbued creation.

PLEASANTON-

LOADED BAKED POTATO, by Cristina Solano
Sliced russet potatoes, crumbled bacon, Monterey Jack & cheddar cheese, topped with fresh green onions and swirl of crema after baking. Available stuffed or thin crust.

Cristina’s love of Zachary’s spans an amazing 26 years! She fondly remembers date nights at Zachary’s in Rockridge with her husband when they first began dating, and when they moved away from Oakland, they became regulars at our San Ramon restaurant before it relocated to Pleasanton. That relocation didn’t stop them however, they followed right along with us to Downtown Pleasanton where they remain loyal regulars. The motivation for Cristina’s pizza was combining a little of everything her family loves and enjoys into one savory and mouth watering pizza. And may we just say, well done Cristina! If you’re questioning potatoes on pizza- don’t. This masterpiece proves why potatoes absolutely belong on pizza.

ROCKRIDGE-

HONEY TRAP, by Finn Liss
Salami, serrano chilies, onion, roasted red peppers, mozzarella cheese, and finished with a drizzle of honey after baking. Available as a thin crust pizza only.

GRAND LAKE-

TO BEEF OR NOT TO BEEF, by Yui Ueno
Seasoned ground beef, green bell peppers, giardiniera, mozzarella cheese, sliced pepperoncinis. Available stuffed or thin crust.

Finn and his brother Yui won the pizza lottery by BOTH being chosen as winners! Finn won at Zachary’s Rockridge and Yui won at Zachary’s Grand Lake. So, it only felt right to sit down to chat with the two brothers together. Yui and Finn have a mutual love of cooking that works well with Finn’s creative focus and Yui’s technical angle. When Yui bought a house in Oakland with a brick pizza oven in the backyard, it only seemed right to start experimenting with pizza! When the brothers cook together they like to incorporate and think of the diversity of Oakland with bold, standout flavors that push boundaries while still maintaining deliciousness.

Finn’s first time at Zachary’s was in middle school where he tasted and fell in love with our classic Spinach & Mushroom pizza (can you blame him? 😉). His inspiration for the Honey Trap was to create a pizza that made you stop and think of flavors- especially how the combination of spicy and sweet flow together. You’ll notice this right away with the heat of the serrano chilis and the sweet honey that comes in to both add to, and minimize, that heat.

Yui went to school in the Midwest and Chicago areas, where the Italian Beef sandwich reigns supreme. So, obviously, creating a Chicago-style pizza that incorporated those flavors was the natural direction for him to go! The end result is a pizza that has a perfect blend of acidity and brine from the pepperoncinis and giardiniera, a mild touch of heat, and a delicious melding of seasoned ground beef with our signature chunky tomato sauce. But hey, don’t take our word for it, try it out at Zachary’s Grand Lake and taste for yourself!

Bianca Alvarez’s Let’s All Go to Zachary’s is the third of four shirts we’re releasing from our first ever t-shirt contest, with winners voted on and chosen by you, our amazing communities. These super fun shirts have a festive holiday feel that we can’t get enough of!

All four shirts will be limited-edition, single runs – meaning once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. So if you like one, be sure to snatch it up before it sells out.

These shirts don’t just look great, in addition, part of their sales are being donated to two great organizations! To help celebrate our 40th Anniversary this year, we’re donating 50% of the profits from these limited-edition shirts to the Alameda County Community Food Bank and the Monument Crisis Center in Concord. Click the link below to purchase, or visit any Zachary’s location.

$25+ tax

Adult Unisex: S, M, L, XL, 2XL
Shipping & handling not included in price.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Why do we love the month of October? Not only is it Employee-Ownership Month, it’s also National Pizza Month, National Coming Out Day October 11th, and the absolute cherry on top- HALLOWEEN! So. Many. Things. To. Love!

National Pizza Month is here and to celebrate, we’re holding a Pizza Special Contest!

From now through Sunday, October 15th submit your best recipe and pizza name for a chance to win a $200 Zachary’s Gift Certificate and be featured on our social media along with your pizza special! Here are the details of the competition.

-Recipes must be original. Proposed pizza names must be family friendly (think about the kiddos y’all!) Zachary’s reserves the right to change a proposed special name to better adhere to our guidelines.
–All recipes must be emailed to hello@zacharys.com by 11:59pm, Sunday October 15th and include the location (Rockridge, Grand Lake, North Berkeley, Pleasant Hill, or Pleasanton) they are being submitted for.
-Recipes will be taste tested and voted on by Zachary’s crew.
-One winner per location will be chosen. Winners will be notified and announced to the public the week of October 22nd.
-Each winner (5 total) will receive a $200 Zachary’s Gift Certificate and a be featured on Zachary’s social media alongside their special.

Please email hello@zacharys.com if you have any questions!

Celebrating our 40th Anniversary and 20 Years of Employee-Ownership During National Employee-Ownership Month!

This employee-ownership month is especially special to us as we are celebrating our 40th anniversary and 20 years of being employee-owned! The absolute WOW factor to all that? Employee-Owner, Mario, celebrated his 40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY with the company on September 16th! Yes, that means Mario has been a steadfast Zachary’s pillar for our entire history, joining the company a mere 2 months after we opened in 1983. Shortly after celebrating his anniversary, we celebrated Mario’s extremely well deserved retirement on September 28th. Believe us when we say it was an emotional, bittersweet, joyful, celebration of the career of a true Zachary’s legend. We love you, Mario! You will be sorely missed but we are so happy for this next chapter of your life!❤️

ZACHARY’S GRAND LAKE & PLEASANTON HAPPY HOUR-
Weekdays 3pm-5:30pm

DRINK SPECIALS
All House Cocktails $9
All Draft Beer $7
All Glasses of Wine $2 Off

SNACKS & APPS
Caesar Salad $7
*Roasted Cauliflower $7
Zachary’s Meatballs $9.25
*Buffalo Wings $9.25

Come in for a full meal or just drop by for some snacks and drinks, either way, we have you covered!

*Only available at Pleasanton

Please note– Happy Hour is dine-in only. Menu items subject to change without notice. Cocktail, beer, and wine selection varies by location. Cannot be combined with any other offers. No substitutions. Only available at Zachary’s Grand Lake & Pleasanton.

Jay Firestone’s, Zachary’s University, tee is now for sale!

This is the second of four shirts we’re releasing from our first ever t-shirt contest, with winners voted on and chosen by you, our amazing communities. We (and we’re guessing you!) loved this design for multiple reasons, one of which being the color scheme nod to our Cal neighbors around the corner from Zachary’s Rockridge and North Berkeley! (#calbearsgreat 🐻)

All four shirts will be limited-edition, single runs – meaning once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. So if you like one, or think a Zachary’s (or Cal 😉) fan in your life might, be sure to snatch one up before they sell out.

These shirts don’t just look great, part of their sales is also being donated to two great organizations! To help celebrate our 40th Anniversary this year, we’re donating 50% of the profits from these limited-edition shirts to the Alameda County Community Food Bank and the Monument Crisis Center in Concord. Click the link below to purchase, or visit any Zachary’s location.

$25+ tax

Adult Unisex: S, M, 2XL (Sold out of sizes L & XL)
Shipping & handling not included in price.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

The Solano Stroll is back Sunday, September 10th and we can’t wait! We’ll be selling thin-crust Cheese and Pepperoni slices, as well as stuffed Spinach & Mushroom slices, out of the front window of our North Berkeley location from 11am to 4pm.

Solano Ave will be closed to traffic from 10am to 5:30pm that Sunday. Our dining room will also be closed during that period of time. We will be open for phone and walk-in takeout orders though! Our dining room will reopen for dinner service at 5:30pm.

The Gourmet Mushroom Special is now available
at Zachary’s Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill!

This mushroom lover’s delight is a yummy blend of shiitake, portabella, and oyster mushrooms, whole roasted garlic and mozzarella cheese. Available as a stuffed or thin crust pizza at both Zachary’s Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill for a limited time! Click the link below to order online for takeout or delivery.

ORDER ONLINE

The Roma Special is now available at
Zachary’s Rockridge, Grand Lake, and North Berkeley!

So simple, so delicious. Sliced Roma tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and red onions combine in a delectable dance of flavors that will have your tastebuds thanking you and asking for more! Available as stuffed or thin crust pizza at Zachary’s Rockridge, Grand Lake, and North Berkeley for a limited time. Click the link below to order for takeout or delivery!

ORDER ONLINE

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 25th, our hearts will be filled with gratitude as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Zachary’s Chicago Pizza. This milestone marks not just four decades in business, but a journey that has been woven with love, dedication, and the unwavering support of our cherished customers and the entire community. With 20 years as an employee-owned company (100% since 2010), we have much to be grateful for.

As we look back on the incredible memories that have been shared within the walls of Zachary’s, we are reminded that this is not just a celebration of a company; it is a celebration of a family and a community. For 40 years, Zachary’s has been more than just a place to enjoy delicious pizza; it has been a second home for many. It is a place where friendships were formed, relationships blossomed, and life’s joys and important moments have been shared and celebrated together – by both the Zachary’s crew and you, our loyal customers.

Our crew and managers are the heart and soul of Zachary’s, and their dedication is unparalleled. With over 1000 collective years of pizza-making experience and over 650 collective years of service experience, their hard work and commitment have allowed us to craft the perfect pizzas that have become a hallmark of Zachary’s. Their level of teamwork and camaraderie is nothing short of awe-inspiring, and we are grateful for their unwavering dedication.

To our customers, community, and neighbors, we extend our deepest thanks for your years of unwavering support and love. Your patronage has been the driving force behind our success, and it is because of you that Zachary’s has become a beloved institution in the Bay Area.

Our journey began with the visionary founders, Zach and Barbara – lovingly known as “B and Z.” Their passion, determination, and commitment laid the foundation for the Zachary’s Pizza you know and love today. They have been happily retired since 2007, and the values and standard of excellence they set continue to guide and inspire us each day.

To all the former managers and crew members who have contributed to Zachary’s success over the years, we offer a heartfelt nod of appreciation. Each one of you played a crucial role in shaping the legacy of Zachary’s, and we are forever grateful to you.

As we raise our glasses to toast this special occasion, let us not only celebrate the past but also look to the future with excitement and hope. Zachary’s will continue to be a place where memories are created, friendships are nurtured, and the love for pizza is shared.

Join us on July 25th as we commemorate four incredible decades. To show our appreciation and mark this momentous milestone and our birth year, our ready-to-go, small, stuffed Spinach & Mushroom half-baked pizzas will sell for just $19.83! Stop by and pick one up to finish cooking at home for dinner. Or better yet, stock up for the week and (pizza) party like it’s 1983! 

Here’s to 40 years of unforgettable moments and to many more to come. Thank you all for being an integral part of this extraordinary journey!

Cheers! 💫🎈🎉

Leandra Schuler
COO/Employee-Owner (Hired 1999 as a host/server)

Kevin Suto
President/CFO/Employee-Owner (Hired 1984 as a dishwasher/pizza maker)

The year is 1983. The scene. College Avenue, Oakland California. The players. A young couple from Wisconsin. The dream. To open a Chicago-style stuffed pizza restaurant with a California twist. Enter- Zachary’s Chicago Pizza.

Four decades, innumerable hours, thousands of pizzas, and a whole lot of hard work, and here we are celebrating our 40th Anniversary! From that first Zachary’s, a tiny little restaurant on College Ave in Oakland, to today with five East Bay locations, over 225 ‘Best Pizza’ Awards, and 100% employee-ownership, we couldn’t be more grateful for the love and support from our amazing communities and customers.

Join us on July 25th as we commemorate 40 amazing years! To show our appreciation and mark this momentous milestone and our birth year, our ready-to-go, small, stuffed Spinach & Mushroom half-baked pizzas will sell for just $19.83! Stop by and pick one up to finish cooking at home for dinner. Or better yet, stock up for the week or weekend and (pizza) party like it’s 1983! 😜

All five Zachary’s locations will be participating from 11am to closing on July 25th. Limit of 3 pizzas per person. Small, ready-to-go, Spinach & Mushroom half-baked pizzas only. No preorders or holds. Third-party delivery and online orders are excluded. First come, first served and while supplies last. 

Note: Our dining room at Zachary’s Rockridge will be closing at 4:30pm that afternoon for a private event; that location will still be open for takeout (and those $19.83 half-baked pizzas!) all day. All other locations will be open for both dine-in and takeout during normal hours. If you were planning to dine at Zachary’s Rockridge on July 25th after 4:30pm, we recommend visiting Zachary’s Grand Lake instead! 

Additional Special Events on July 25th!

Dine-in at Zachary’s Grand Lake, Pleasanton, and North Berkeley Tuesday evening and enjoy live music from three Bay Area high schools!
Jazz ensembles from Amador Valley, Berkeley, and Oakland High Schools will be performing Tuesday evening. All three groups are incredibly talented and we are so excited to have them performing for our anniversary! All performances are slated to start around 6pm. 
Zachary’s Grand Lake is featuring a jazz duo from Oakland High Jazz Band, Zachary’s North Berkeley is featuring a jazz trio curtesy of Berkeley High Jazz, and Zachary’s Pleasanton is welcoming Amador Jazz Collective from Amador Valley High Jazz on the patio! Come for the pizza, stay for the ambiance 

Dine-in for dinner at Zachary’s Pleasant Hill for the chance to win a free pizza!
That’s all you need to do! We’ll be drawing a random dine-in table number at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm on Tuesday, July 25th and the winning table receives a free pizza! You must be dining in with us at the time of the raffle for your table to be included.  

Thank you for your unwavering support, and here’s to another four decades of serving the best customers and communities ever. We can’t wait to celebrate with you on July 25th! 🎉🤗🍕