I grew up on the East Coast, where pizza was practically a local religion. For years, it was almost impossible to find good pizza here in the Bay Area.
In Walnut Creek, however, things have changed dramatically over the past few years. The town is in the midst of a bona fide pizza renaissance.
The NY Pizza That Started It All
Walnut Creek’s rise to pizza legend status began with the launch of Slice House on Mount Diablo Blvd.
Located in a beautifully restored brick building, Slice House is the brainchild of Tony Gemignani. Even The New York Times acknowledges that he’s one of the best pizza makers in the United States.
Slice House serves the best New York-style pizza I’ve found in the Bay Area. The slices are gigantic, they’re greasy in just the right way, and the crust has a beautiful glutenous stretch that reminds me of pizza back on the East Coast.
Yes, a full-size pie at Slice House will run you over $30. But it’s large enough to feed about five or six people, so it’s worth it.
The Pizza Classic (With a Twist)
Of course, there were pizza places in Walnut Creek long before Tony came along.
One classic example is Skipolini’s. This extremely family-friendly pizza place is tucked into an alleyway beside the Honda dealership in downtown.
Skipolini’s has a massive indoor space, making it easy to bring a big group. Your kids can watch the pizza makers sling dough while they wait.
There’s also a lovely interior courtyard with an aging but still fun arcade and play area—perfect for keeping kids entertained while you wait for your pie to arrive.
What really sets Skipolini’s apart, though, is its local legend: the Prego Pizza. Rumor has it that this pizza instantly sends pregnant people into labor!
Over the decades, Skipolini’s has claimed credit for hundreds of babies as a result of their famous Prego Pizza. Of course, you can enjoy it even if you’re not pregnant.
A New Take on Pizza
This is California, so the area wouldn’t be complete without a new and creative take on the classic…