The Best Pizzerias in San Jose, Santa Clara and Hayward, California

Pizza is a wonderful food and should be celebrated as often as budget and waistlines allow. Living in the Bay Area for my entire life, I have come across many different pizzerias and many were not worth returning to. You also have your mass market, nationwide and on every corner pizza parlors, but what about the smaller ones? I have been fortunate enough to find my best three right here where I live. Come with me for a pizza tour through San Jose, Santa Clara and Hayward, Ca.

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The Pizza Box
148 S. Jackson Ave., San Jose, CA, 95116
(408) 272-9333

This pizza heaven has been around for as long as I can remember, at least 20 years now, and it is still the best in the area. If you are hungry, then go for a large. If you have friends over, go for a 24-inch King Kong. If you are having a party that needs a ton of delicious pizza, then call in for the 26-inch Uncle Sam! These last two pizzas were so big that back when I had my Dodge hatchback, the pizza wouldn't even fit inside! I wish this place had a website, but not that I can find. It is not a fancy place... just a hole in the wall in a small strip mall. It doesn't matter how large and flashy or quiet and homey it is, the food is what matters. They have all the standard ingredients and really don't go with any crazy combinations. Their crust is thin and can be a bit flimsy, but the taste is more important than the appearance. The toppings are plentiful and there is always pizza left for breakfast. The Pizza Box just makes really great pizza at a good price. Their service is wonderful and super quick. You call in your order and The Pizza Box has it ready by the time you get there fresh and steamy hot. They do not deliver, so be prepared to smell the heavenly cheese and scrumptious sauce all the way home. Challenge yourself not to eat a single piece before getting home. Here is some reviews so you can see how the other locals enjoy it: Click here.

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Pizza Party
3581 Homestead Rd Santa Clara, CA 95051
(On the corner of Lawrence Expressway and Homestead Rd.)
(408) 248-5680

This place is amazing. The pizza is great and they have some wacky combinations for me. I like the standard pepperoni or ham and pineapple. I will go exotic and order pineapple and pepperoni sometimes, but I had never even thought of some of the varieties this place has. I have tried quite a few and wow they are amazing. If you want a different style pizza with more than just traditional toppings, then you need to try Pizza Party. The picture above is from Pizza Party. What fascinates me is the fact that when you ask them for a menu, the have you look up at the wall. Yes, up at the wall! (Click the hyperlink to see it online.) They have photos of all their specialty pizzas and I am telling you first hand do not go in alone! You will order everything they sell! Take another look at the pictures attached to this article and you will see what I am talking about.

Pizza Party's largest pizza is called The Belly Buster and sizes up at 20 inches of cheesy heaven. Some of their combinations are "Heartstopper" with Canadian style bacon, pizza sauce, salami, Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni crumbles & linguica! Or you can try their "Greek Veggie" with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, chopped garlic, feta cheese, black olives, & Basil pesto sauce. We tried the "Tandori Chicken" with mozzarella cheese, tandoori chicken, red onions, bell peppers, and Curry sauce, and fell in love! This one is a bit spicy, so keep your drink near!

Pizza Party has many in-store eating contests, but I just want to enjoy the great combinations they offer. This is truly one of the best pizza parlors in the South Bay.

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Hungry Howie's
24456 Mission Blvd Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 886-5100

My husband first took me to this little pizza parlor about 13 years ago while we were dating. I laughed when I saw the building. It was this big square building painted like a checker taxi. We went in and the smells swept me off my feet. If I remember correctly, it is carry out, or at least it was back then. I never knew that Hungry Howie's had restaurants out of California, but when I looked up the website for reference, there it was. So, if this article makes you hungry, take a look at their homepage and see if there is one near you. The pizza is great, but it is the crust that kept us going back for so many years. They actually pay as much attention to the dough around the edges as to the toppings. They put flavors like ranch, butter cheese, Cajun, garlic herb and even sesame on the crust to enhance the pizza enjoyment. I totally recommend Hungry Howie's to anyone who loves traditional pizza with a kick.

Sources:

Personal experience
www.pizzapartyonline.com/
www.hungryhowies.com/default.aspx
Yahoo Local