Today is National Pizza Day. Here's where to celebrate.
La Vera, Santa Rosa: More than just a sit-down Italian restaurant, La Vera does a great take-out pizza. After 30 years in business, they know how to do pizza right. Slices available at lunch. 629 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 575-1113. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
Simply Delicious, Santa Rosa: This West Santa Rosa pizzeria always gets big props for its family-friendly pizzas, which range from simple cheese to fancier versions with grilled eggplant and roasted red peppers. The crust is a little thicker than traditional NY style, but just as tasty. 2780 Stony Point, Santa Rosa, 579-2083. (Photo by Jeff Kan Lee)
NY Pie, Santa Rosa: Mike Petterssen, owner of NY Pie, has a favorite quote that pretty much sums up Americans’ universal love of pizza: “You can’t make everyone happy. You aren’t pizza.” NY Pie serves up thin-crust, tomato sauce and mozzarella pies meant to be shared. They require the Manhattan-style fold to cram a slice into your face, and they’re uniquely Italian-American. Friday night pies are the heart and soul of NY Pies, ranging from simple cheese to their best seller - the Godfather - with pepperoni, sausage, artichoke hearts and garlic). 65 Brookwood Ave, Santa Rosa, 707 526-9743. (Courtesy photo)
Gio’s Pizza, Santa Rosa: This New York style pizzeria also was once owned by the Iervolinos and has stayed true to the founders’ vision. Friends say it’s the best slice in Sonoma County. 2700 Yulupa Ave., #5, Santa Rosa, 542-2797. (Courtesy photo)
Mombo’s, Santa Rosa: There’s a reason the Santa Rosa outpost of this classic pizzeria is standing room only all weekend. It’s just darn good pizza. It’s our go-to on Friday nights, and we’re willing to wait the hour or two it takes for delivery during peak hours. Delivery available until 10 p.m. in Santa Rosa. Also, a selection of pizzas now available frozen. 1880B Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 528-3278; 560 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, 823-7492.
Joey's, Santa Rosa: Another neighborhood favorite, Joey’s has one of the largest pizza menus, including clam with garlic sauce and a cheeseburger pizza with mustard sauce and plenty of veggie options. Plus, you can get a slice of homemade cheesecake or Scooby Snacks (fried doughballs with cinnamon) added to your order. 727 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 595-5639.
Red Grape Pizza, Sonoma: Though this dine-in restaurant’s pizzas only come in one size (12 inch) and are a little fancier than the usual New York style slices, it is definitely where Sonoma residents go for their Friday night pizzas. Pizzas come in white (olive oil and garlic) or red (tomato sauce), and even the cheese version is special, with aged Parmesan and gouda. A personal favorite is pear and gorgonzola. 529 First St., West, Sonoma, 996-4103. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Braised Short Rib Pizza at The Red Grape, in Sonoma. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
The Red Grape's Olive Flatbread, center, flanked by Braised Short Rib Pizza, left, and Mediterranean Pizza, in Sonoma. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Sal's New Yorker Pizza, Cotati: This 2014 newcomer to the pizza game is a favorite pizzeria of SSU students. 8270 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 664-8460.
Rafy's Pizzeria, Petaluma: A New Yorker who’s spent the year tossing pies in the Big Apple serves up authentic slices big as your head. Petalumans give it a big thumbs-up. 615 E. Washington, Petaluma, 559-5735.
This isn’t your fancy wood-fired pizza, or pizza with four kinds of Brie. This is Friday night pizza. The ooey-gooey stuff you pull out of a box and eat with a paper towel, with a smile on your face and a little grease running down your fingers. Click through the gallery above for a handful of our favorite mom-and-pop Friday night pizza spots in Sonoma County. Note: Call for delivery areas and hours, as they may vary.
