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Pinky’s Pizza & Pub
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Pinky’s Pizza & Pub
7.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Sports Bar Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Old-school parlor with big booths, pitchers, and TVs serving combo pies and garlic twists. Teams and families spread out without breaking the budget.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combination pie, BBQ chicken pizza, Garlic twists
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Decades-loved parlor energy with kid-friendly pricing.
Who should go: Sports families and little-league teams
When to visit: Weeknights after the early dinner rush
What to order: House combo; BBQ chicken; garlic twists
Insider tip: Use the rear lot to avoid circling meters.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Rear private lot with limited spaces; additional metered street parking along North Broadway and nearby Civic Drive after 6pm.
Dress code: Completely casual — jerseys, jeans, and sneakers all fit the relaxed, family-sports vibe.
Noise level: Lively during games with moderate background TV volume; conversation still manageable at most tables.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes during prime family hours (6–7:30pm), especially on Fridays.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait except around noon for takeout orders.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple veggie pies and salads available, plus customizable toppings.
Vegan options: Limited — can omit cheese on select pies, but no dedicated vegan cheese or dough.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free crust, but some lighter sides and salads can substitute.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re going for playful and nostalgic — think beer, garlic twists, and sports on TV rather than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served; groups of six or more may need to wait briefly on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely — booster seats, kids’ portions, and plenty of room for strollers or highchairs make it ideal for families.
Best For
Better for: Casual family pizza nights, post-game team gatherings, and affordable group dinners.
Skip if: You’re seeking artisanal pies, cocktail service, or a quieter, date-night setting — head to Gusto Mio or Montesacro instead.
Pinky’s Pizza & Pub
7.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Sports Bar Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Old-school parlor (since 1963) with big booths, pitchers, and TVs. Teams and families spread out over combo pies and garlic twists without breaking the budget.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combination Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Garlic Twists
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Decades-strong neighborhood hangout with kid-friendly pricing and portions.
Who should go: Sports families and little-league teams
When to visit: Weeknights after early dinner rush
What to order: House combo; BBQ chicken; garlic twists
Insider tip: Use the rear lot to avoid circling street meters.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free private lot behind the building with overflow spaces along North Broadway; meters nearby on Bonanza Street if full.
Dress code: Completely casual—team jerseys, shorts, and sweats all fine.
Noise level: Loud during game nights; moderate on weeknights—expect background chatter and TV commentary.
Weekend wait: 25–40 minutes during peak family rush between 6–8pm.
Weekday lunch: No wait; walk-ins seated immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie pizzas, salads, and cheese-only options available.
Vegan options: Limited—no dedicated vegan cheese, but can build a sauce-only veggie pie.
Gluten-free options: No separate crust or prep area; not recommended for celiac diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s more of a family pizza hangout than a romantic or quiet setting. Great if your date appreciates retro charm and local history.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first come, first served. Groups of six or more should arrive early to claim a booth on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely—high chairs, shareable portions, arcade games, and staff used to families with kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Group gatherings and affordable family pizza nights—better value and seating flexibility than newer downtown spots.
Skip if: You’re seeking craft cocktails, gluten-free doughs, or a quiet dinner date setting.
Pinky’s Pizza & Pub
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Sports Bar Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Old-school parlor with pitchers, TVs, and big-portion combo pies. Families and teams post up in booths for casual, low-cost dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combination pie, BBQ chicken pizza, Garlic bread twists
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Classic parlor energy with wallet-friendly combo pies and pitchers.
Who should go: Families and game-watch groups
When to visit: Weeknights after the early dinner rush
What to order: Combination; BBQ chicken; garlic twists
Insider tip: Daily specials at the pub bar cut the bill further.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small private lot behind the building plus easy street parking on North Broadway after 6pm.
Dress code: Totally casual—team jerseys, jeans, and hoodies fit right in.
Noise level: Lively and often loud during games; not ideal for quiet conversation but fun for groups.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes during prime sports nights, faster for takeout orders.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; order at the counter and grab a booth.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several veggie pies and salads available.
Vegan options: Limited—can request cheeseless veggie or build-your-own with no cheese.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free crust; cross-contact possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not the best fit unless you both love casual, nostalgic pizza joints—it’s more lively than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm, even for larger parties; call ahead for teams or birthday groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely—kids’ menus, arcade games, and roomy booths make it an easy family choice.
Best For
Better for: Group pizza nights, sports viewing, and budget-friendly family dinners.
Skip if: You want gourmet toppings, a quiet meal, or a date-night setting.
Pinky’s Pizza & Pub
7.7
Neighborhood pub with classic round pies, TVs, and roomy tables. Families come early for casual pizza nights; later hours tilt more toward the game-day crowd.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pinky’s Special, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Garlic Knots
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Community pub vibe with crowd-pleasing pies and easy seating.
Who should go: Families who like TVs with dinner
When to visit: Early evening before big games
What to order: Pinky’s Special; BBQ chicken; garlic knots
Insider tip: Look for weeknight happy hour to pair with pies.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shared lot behind the building plus limited street parking on North Broadway; generally easy before 6pm, tighter on weekend evenings.
Dress code: Totally casual—jeans, jerseys, and sneakers fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during games; early dinner hours are calmer and family friendly.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes around major sports events; otherwise walk-in seating is usually available.
Weekday lunch: No wait—service is quick and straightforward.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pizzas and appetizers can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited—cheese-free veggie pizza and salads are possible if you ask.
Gluten-free options: Yes—gluten-free crust available; same oven as regular pies so minor cross-contact possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your idea of a date includes beer, sports, and casual energy—it’s better for relaxed hangs than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Pinky’s is walk-in only. Show up before big games for the best choice of tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—high chairs, kids’ portions, and early-evening crowd all make it family-safe until about 8pm when the bar crowd builds.
Best For
Better for: Group pizza nights, casual family dinners, or watching sports without pressure to dress up.
Skip if: You’re after a quiet, upscale pizza experience or need guaranteed gluten-free separation.
Pinky’s Pizza & Pub
7.8
Local institution (since 1963) serving West Coast crispy-cornmeal pies with a beer-forward pub setup and game-day TVs. Kitchen runs later on weekends, making it a dependable neighborhood slice-and-pint option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pinky’s Combo, Meat Lovers, Classic Margherita
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Old-school Walnut Creek pizza parlor with taps and TVs.
Who should go: Families and sports-night crews
When to visit: Fri–Sat after 8:30 pm before last call
What to order: Pinky’s Combo; Meat Lovers; Margherita
Insider tip: Free lot out back—skip the meter hunt on Broadway.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free private lot located behind the building off the alley—usually open spots even on weekends.
Dress code: Ultra casual—team jerseys, jeans, and hoodies fit right in.
Noise level: Loud during games and weekend nights; conversation-friendly early evenings.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak sports events; otherwise easy seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait—quick seat or takeout ready within 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie pizzas and salads available.
Vegan options: Limited—can build-your-own with no cheese and veggie toppings.
Gluten-free options: Yes—gluten-free crust available upon request, cooked separately when possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your idea of romance includes cold beer and game-day energy—it’s more casual hangout than date-night ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are standard here. Go early during major sports games if you want a booth.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—booths, high chairs, and plenty of pizza options for kids make it ideal for families until late evening.
Best For
Better for: Larger groups and sports fans looking for a classic local pizza-and-pint setup with TV coverage.
Skip if: You’re after upscale ambiance, quiet dining, or artisanal-style pies—opt for Montesacro or Gusto Mio instead.