Berkeley’s legendary Zachary’s still stacks up after four decades

For more than forty years, lovers of pizza have traipsed to Berkeley for a slice of heaven. I know. There’s a lot of pizza in Berkeley; and where there’s college kids, there’s pizza. But this isn’t just any pie. This is the mother of all pies: Zachary’s Chicago Pizza.

Tucked in near an alley at the top of Solano Avenue, and nestled between used books and knick-knack stores lies the holy grail of pizza. Zachary’s, offering both a deep-dish and thin crust, didn’t become a local institution by accident. The tiny pizzeria has won more than 225 Best Pizza awards since it opened and it continues to clobber the competition each year, showing no signs of slowing down.

Launched in 1983 by a couple of people who really loved a good Chicago-style pie, the small, 900-square-foot restaurant (which only seats about 30), is typically overflowing on any given night and often boasts a lengthy line streaming out its doors. Once inside, the smell of lovingly baked pizza greets you like a warm embrace from an old friend. You’ll notice the many framed sketches that embellish the walls are all colorful, adventurous versions of Zachary’s famed pizza, drawn by adoring fans, young and old.

So what is it about this pizza that makes it a perennial favorite? Let’s take it apart and find out.

For starters, the rich, buttery crust leans more toward pastry than bread or conventional pizza crust, and it serves as the foundation that holds the whole pie together. Crunchy and delicate at the same time, it retains all the layers of cheese, sauce and ingredients, preventing them from flowing away. The sauce is flavorful with just the right amount of herbs and seasoning, and the diced tomato chunks add texture and just a little zing at the top of the pie. Finally, an abundance of cheese running between layers of fresh toppings completes the pie – which, by the way, can take about 40 minutes to prepare and bake, so be patient, it's worth the wait. One to try: Zachary's stuffed spinach and mushroom pizza is always a showstopper and will satisfy even the finickiest of palates.

Now, if you have been to Chicago and are fortunate enough to have been graced with a slice of pizza, one bite of Zachary’s will take you right back. And before you say it, it’s true: many people will tell you that it’s really a very thin, saucy pizza that is a real, Chicago pie rather than the deep-dish beast we all know and love. But Zachary's does both equally well so it doesn’t really matter which you prefer, Zachary's has you covered.

Need a gluten-free pie? Zachary’s can do that, and unlike other pizzerias, the crust won’t have the consistency of damp cardboard. Light and crunchy, the gluten-free crust does not yield to the sauce, it retains its snap and even reheats well.

Want a salad? Zachary’s has those too — Caesar lovers will rejoice over the garlicky, homemade dressing.

You can eat in and ensconce yourself in the aroma, or order for pickup. Zachary’s also offers half-baked pies you finish baking at home – which is great for hosting a Super Bowl party or random hungry mob.

Zachary’s offers a variety of locations to serve you, meaning you are never too far away to grab a pie. You can find Zachary’s in: Oakland–Rockridge, Oakland–Grand Lake, North Berkeley, Pleasant Hill, and in Pleasanton.

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