A roundup of some of our favorite slices and pies.
Jackson's Bar and Oven, Santa Rosa: Pizzas range from simple margherita to proscuitto with mascarpone, pear and arugula; mixed mushroom with truffle oil; daily specials and even a gluten-free version. House favorite is the House Made Sausage (tomato sauce, provolone, olives, goat horn peppers and oregano). Feeling adventurous? Go for the Undecided and let the chef surprise you. 135 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
Rosso, Santa Rosa: Tuscan-style wood-fired pizzas with the "true Neapolitan style of crisp" featuring the kind of ingredients you've come to expect in Sonoma County: fresh, organic, locally-sourced and seasonal. The Funghi di Limone with oven roasted mixed mushrooms, taleggio and fontina cheese, shaved artichokes, finished with lemon oil and fresh thyme, is a favorite (pictured). Creekside Center, 53 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, 707-544-3221, rossopizzeria.com.
Franchetti's Wood Fire Kitchen, Santa Rosa: Since parting ways with Rosso, Chef John Franchetti and his wife, Gesine, have been revamping their bistro menu with a lineup of small plates, wood-fired pizzas and entrees that, frankly, are what we’ve always admired most about Franchetti’s cooking. Select your own pizza combo or try a German-style thin crust Flammkuchen ("cake made in fire") with crème fraîche, house made burrata, thinly sliced onions, bacon lardons, and a green onion finish. 1229 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa, 707-526-1229, franchettis.com.
Urban Pizza, Santa Rosa: Family-owned newcomer on the pizza scene serving up hand-tossed pies with high-quality ingredients. Try the signature "Urban Combo” with mozzarella, salami, fennel sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, bell pepper and garlic; or the Thai One On (pictured) with peanut sauce, chicken and fresh cilantro. 500 Mission Blvd, Santa Rosa, 707-978-4668, urbanpizzasantarosa.com. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
Veggie Power pizza at Urban Pizza in Santa Rosa. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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Mombo’s, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol: 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. 1880B Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 528-3278. 560 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, 823-7492.
Mary's Pizza Shack, Various Locations: Among the best local options for pizza with kids. In addition to an extensive kids menu that features favorites like hot dogs, pasta and chicken strips, kids can create their own pizza here. Crayons and activity sheets are brought to the table, and the restaurant also has "sensory-friendly kits" for children with autism and other special needs. Various locations in Sonoma County, maryspizzashack.com. (Courtesy photo)
NY Pie, Santa Rosa: The go-to spot for desperate pizza fixes until 3 a.m. Try the “Godfather” with sausage, artichoke hearts, and garlic, or the lighter “Neapolitan” with fresh garden tomatoes and basil. NY Pie pizzas require the Manhattan-style fold to cram a slice into your face, and they’re uniquely Italian-American. 65 Brookwood Ave, Santa Rosa, 707 526-9743, new-york-pie.com. (Courtesy photo)
Tony's of North Beach, Rohnert Park: Hit the jackpot with a pizza from the pie master himself, Tony Gemignani - a 13-time World Pizza Champion. Gemignani’s pizzas — from a simple margherita to progressive thin-crusted Roman pizzas (savory to sweet slices) — have just the right amount of crisp and gentle char to make you swear off Friday night pizza delivery forever. Graton Casino, 630 Park Ct, Rohnert Park, 707-588-7741. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Firetrail Pizza, The Block, Petaluma: Get your wood-fired pizza from a food truck at The Block, Sonoma County’s first permanent location for the region’s growing fleet of mobile kitchens. Pair it with local beer, wine or "blocktails." Mon-Fri, 3-10 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 20 Grey Street, Petaluma. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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Wood-fired pizza from Firetrail Pizza at The Block in Petaluma. (Courtesy photo)
Wild Goat Bistro, Petaluma: Thin and crispy pizzas lead the charge at this hidden gem in Petaluma. The stone and wood interior of the historic Great Petaluma Mill lends an Italian feel to the restaurant and fresh local ingredients elevate the Neapolitan style pies - there's even an "In Season" pizza. Another favorite, the Fig and Pig pizza, is topped with housemade fig spread, prosciutto, fontina, Grana Padano, goat and blue cheese, and finished with baby arugula. 6 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, 707-658-1156, wildgoatbistro.com.
Old Chicago, Petaluma: This 40+ year-old Petaluma staple serves up seriously deep-dish pizza that even a Chicago native can appreciate. You'll find an array of pies here, from double crust to thin crust, and toppings galore. Get a seat by the window for second-floor views of downtown Petaluma. 41 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, 707-763-3897, oldchgo.com.
Red Grape, Sonoma: Brick-oven pies with an impossibly thin cracker crust that’s just sturdy enough for a few toppings, but shatters and crackles as soon as you stuff it into your mouth. Toppings range from classic clam, margherita and cheese to California-influences like pear, gorgonzola, hazelnut and smoked bacon; shrimp and artichoke or chipotle chicken with caramelized onions and cilantro. 529 1st St W, Sonoma, 707-996-4103, theredgrape.com.
The Red Grape's Olive Flatbread, center, flanked by Braised Short Rib Pizza, left, and Mediterranean Pizza. Locals' favorite: The "Sonoma” (obviously) with Zoe’s Pepperoni, fennel sausage, sautéed mushrooms, red onion, pepper jack, mozzarella, parmesan. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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Braised Short Rib Pizza at The Red Grape, in Sonoma. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Mary's Slice Shack, Sonoma: The best place in Sonoma to get "a honking big slice on the go," says Lorna Sheridan, managing editor of Sonoma Index Tribune. It's a favorite spot for kids hanging out after the Tuesday's farmers market on the plaza. You can pick your toppings. 14 W Spain St, Sonoma, 707-938-9290, maryssliceshack.com. (Photo by Robbi Pengelly)
Glen Ellen Star, Glen Ellen: Chef Weiswasser’s 650-degree custom-built wood oven perfumes the entire block with its smoke. Pizzas steal the show at this Wine Country classic, with a simple Margherita or White Pizza with guanciale and arugula easily feeding two. Try the tomato cream pie with espelette chili. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 707-343-1384, glenellenstar.com. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria, Geyserville: Fresh slices of house-cured lardo on top of a wood-fired pizza. Toss on a few tomatoes and you’ll never look at another piece of mushroom and pepperoni quite the same way again. And it’s just one of the devilish pizzas at Dino Bugica’s rustic pizzeria, Diavola. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
Campo Fina, Healdsburg: Wood-oven pizzas are all the rage in Wine Country, and there are as many styles as there are Mugnaini ovens. But too often crusts get blistered and burnt, and carbon is only delicious on campfire marshmallows. At Campo Fina, simple mushroom, sausage or Margheritas get the kiss of the oven without being smothered. 330 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707-395-4640, campofina.com. (Photo by Kent Porter)
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Wood-fired pizza at Campo Fina in Healdsburg. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
Journeyman Meat Co, Healdsburg: Peter Seghesio's warm yet minimalist salumeria showcases several hand-operated Berkel meat slicers, hanging salumi, extensive wine racks, a wood-fired pizza oven and casual seating for sharing plates of charcuterie, pizzas, sausages, sandwiches and a glass of wine. Choose between the Bianco, with roasted leeks, bacon and an egg, and the Rosso, a Terrona family recipe sausage
with local peppers and tellagio. 404 Center St, Healdsburg, 707-395-6328, journeymanmeat.com. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
Lowell's, Sebastopol: Wood-fired pizzas are a signature here. Made by hand every step of the way, they are chewy and light and lack the bitter carbonization of other crusts. The seasonal menu changes frequently but you can expect combinations like fuyu persimmon, goat cheese, red onion, calabrian chile, and arugula; or salziccia pizza with house-made sausage. 7385 Healdsburg Ave #101, Sebastopol, 707-829-1077, lowellssebastopol.com. (Courtesy photo)
Hippizzazz, Sebastopol: This sweet little pizzeria does solid traditional and deep dish pizzas with plenty of...pizzazz. All the usual suspects, plus a solid Thai chicken pizza (peanut sauce, chicken, basil, carrots, cilantro), roasted potato (think potato skin on a pizza) and the Carnitas de Jalisco (slow roasted pork, pico, queso fresca). The very rarely sighted calzone and stromboli are also available. 280 S. Main, Sebastopol, 707-634-6530. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
Deep dish pizza at Hippizzazz in Sebastopol. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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Hazel, Occidental: Don’t be fooled by the small, nondescript building in the heart of Occidental that is Hazel. It’s full of life and great Mediterranean style food, including five kinds of wood-fired pizza. West County cheese take these pizzas to the next level; try the Mozzarella with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, basil, Valley Ford Estero Gold or the Pt. Reyes Blue with caramelized onions, Marcona almonds, fig balsamic, and arugula. 3782 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, 707-874-6003, restauranthazel.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
Gold Coast Coffee, Duncans Mills: On your way to the coast, stop by this cozy coffee shop for a cup of house roasted java and a wood-fired pizza on the deck. Homemade pastry is also baked in the wood fired oven...23577 Steelhead Blvd, Duncans Mills, 707-865-1441. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
Raymond’s Bakery, Cazadero: Hidden among the redwood groves in Cazadero is your diet’s downfall. Award-winning baker Mark Raymond and his wife Elizabeth know how to knead the dough, serving up fresh racks of breads in all shapes and sizes along with pastries and awesome pizzas. 5400 Cazadero Highway, Cazadero, 707-632-5335. (Photo by Charlie Gesell)
Papa's Pizza Cafe, Cloverdale: Looking for pizza and some financial advice? At Papa's Pizza in Cloverdale, you can get both. Owner Mike Nixon, a longtime financial planner and pie-spinner, operates a pizza parlor and financial services business under the same roof. The financial office is in the back of the pizzeria (most business is conducted online or over the phone). The Bear (pepperoni, pineapple, jalapenos, garlic and sausage) is a locals' favorite. 105 North Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, 707-894-4453. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
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by Sonoma Magazine staff
It’s hard to pick a favorite pizza spot, when so many Sonoma County restaurants serve up excellent pies – whether hand-tossed, wood-fired or ooey-gooey Friday night style. To satisfy your pizza cravings, we’ve gone through some of our favorites from the past and picked out a few standout restaurants for tasty pies. Share your go-to pizza spots in the comments.
No mention of Sal’s New Yorker in Cotati? Shameful.
Where is “Round Table Pizza” ??
No Steele & Hops??? Their pizza is fireeeeee!!!
I don’t know who this is in the same area but Urban Pizza in Santa Rosa is the best pizza I’ve ever eaten! Besides that the people are really nice. Not much for Ambience though
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You really missed out on Penngrove Market’s wood fired pizzas, calzones, and piadines (including a banh mi version!). Full disclosure: I work there, so I’m biased. 😉 Feel free to contact me or call the market and ask for Chef Joe, my employer.
How could you possibly miss Sal’s Pizzeria in Rohnert Park? Always local ingredients, Always fresh
How could you put a chain like Mod Pizza in a list like this? Insulting to the true pizzerias!
Hippizzazz, wow, that deep dish pizza is amazing. The other pizzas are great too…… By the way, I don’t know how Mary’s pizza could ever make this list.
Pizza Gourmet – Fulton at Guerneville. Real pizza – not ‘artisanal’!
Pizza Gourmet on Fulton & Guerneville Rd – family owned, great crust, nice folks, and a variety of unique pizza recipes (try the Barcelona!) – check them out!
Agree. Good stuff!
I also highly recommend the Red Horse Pizza food “trailer”. They are usually parked at Henhouse Brewing Company in Santa Rosa. Henhouse has upgraded the outdoor area in front with more tables, fake grass, wooden roofs over the tables, and a concrete slab for the trailer to park on. Red Horse’s pizza is the best I have ever had, though I haven’t been to some of the places featured in this article.
While I have yet to try every pizza mentioned in this article (but I’m so willing to do the research), I have to say that I think it’s a shame that you included MOD Pizza (a delicious chain I’ve enjoyed all over the country) and not my very favorite pizza in Sonoma County… Joe’s Combo from Caprara’s Pizza in Penngrove. Give it a try; you’re missing out if you haven’t!
I get non-believers eating Caprara’s Pizza, Buddy Special.. as odd as it sounds, it taste good. Plus Buddy was a good guy..
I have to try it! I’ve never been there!1
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Pizza for pizza’s sake:
1. Old Chicago, Petaluma. Don’t forget the garlic!
2. La Vera, Santa Rosa
3. Mountain Mikes, Mission/Montgomery
4. Mary’s, Boyes Hot Springs. Mary’s #1 has the mini-chain’s best.
Mmm….Old Chicago.
My weakness.