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Armadillo Pizza
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4:30 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
47 reviews for Armadillo Pizza
Review Highlights
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"...the BBQ chicken and house special pizza and was pleasantly..." In 2 reviews -
"Family owned, fresh and fabulous crust." In 8 reviews -
"Best delivery pizza I've had in the East Bay." In 13 reviews
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47 reviews in English
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Review from Mario M.
San Pablo, CA
2/23/2012
Well, this is my first review, and I figured why not make it on something I just visited for the first time. I've been going up and down San Pablo Ave for about as far as I can remember and I've seen this locale hundreds of times maybe. Never really went in, but when I did so today, I wished I had a long time ago. Their slices are 2.75 for cheese and 50 cents for each additional topping I believe. I had a cheese and black olive slice and it was pretty darn good. The slice was of generous proportion and came out of the oven fast and steaming. Customer service was excellent even in the wee hours of the evening. It's not the best pizza in the world, but it's a nice little family owned place that's definitely up there. Haven't tried the others yet, but I'm definitely going back for more soon!
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Review from Yumi H.
San Francisco, CA
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
3.5 Stars! Good family-owned local pizza joint in the El Cerrito/Richmond area. Slices are cash only. Call ahead if ordering whole pizzas if you don't want to wait ~20 minutes. If you don't mind waiting, there's a nearby small Thai market store that sells sundries and specialty items! We ordered the Milano and it was made on order too!
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Review from B D.
Port St Lucie, FL
2/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Found this place on http://Yelp.com and decided to give them a call after reading some of the reviews. The person on the phone (who I later found out was the owner) was extremely pleasant and inviting, so I was off to give the place a try.
Upon entering Armadillo Pizza I was immediately over taken with the fantastic aroma. This place is small only about 4 tables, looks like they do a lot of take out/delivery business.
Before ordering I asked if the mushrooms were fresh or out of a can. From my experience if the establishment takes the time to use fresh, not canned mushrooms, you can expect a decent pizza. I was told all the ingrediants are made fresh daily. Upon ordering a largeHouse Specialty (their version of a deluxe/everything) the owner took out a fresh container of sauce from the cooler, right then I knew this was going to be a great pie!
After only 15 minutes, the pie was ready and my wife & I couldn't wait to dig in.........Unbelievable my wife even ate her crust (she almost never does that)!!!
I returned the following night for another........Just give them a try!! -
Review from C C.
Berkeley, CA
12/4/2011
Ordered a pizza here tonight, for pickup. Pretty fast turnaround, took them less than 15 minutes, and the staff seemed very nice. But the pizza was just not up to par. I paid about $20 for a medium "#3. Veggie Special." The menu clearly says the veggie special comes with "fresh mushrooms, onions, olives, bell peppers, and fresh sliced tomatoes." Well, there were no mushrooms, the veggies were NOT fresh, and there were no sliced tomatoes on the pizza. I wouldn't have cared what they put on it, to be honest, if it had tasted good, but it just really lacked flavor, even after covering it with Parmesan cheese and red pepper. It's a real shame, because this place is a five minute walk from where I live... I'll just drive to Zachary's next time.
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Review from Vicky B.
Monterey, CA
4/11/2011
Family owned, fresh and fabulous crust. The most essential 'f's in a great pizza place. I ordered the Brazilian and it rocked my world.
I hope to go back whenever in El Cerrito but if you are a local, you best take a trip here or give them a call!! -
Review from Star B.
El Cerrito, CA
7/19/2010
They make excellent pizza. It's the best you'll find in El Cerrito. The reason I only gave them 4 stars is because I have had better outside of El Cerrito in regards to taste, but my boyfriend and I always deliver from this place and we're never disappointed. We're regulars and we've never experienced a time when our delivery was late or the pizza was sub-par. The guys who work there are really nice and accommodating. You can tell they actually care about satisfying their customers. Once we ordered a soda with our pizza and the delivery guy completely forgot to bring it. We were slightly disappointed as we were looking forward to adding a cold glass of Coke to out dinner. Lo and behold, 10 minutes later the guy was back with our soda.
Now that's hospitality! -
Review from sunshine w.
Berkeley, CA
7/10/2011
Good solid pizza. Highlights are the rich sauce and dense, tasty crust. Try a garlic and pepperoni with extra sauce. Friendly staff and mom and pop feel. Recommended.
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Review from Yavanna R.
El Cerrito, CA
7/23/2011
This pizza was pretty tasty, but very very greasy and a bit too spicy. It did really hit that pizza spot, however. And they were both very polite on the phone and in person. Quick delivery, 20 minutes from order to doorstep. Glad I gave them a try. :)
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Review from Megan M.
Richmond, CA
3/9/2010
After reading some positive reviews here I decided to give this shop a try.
They closed at 10pm, and it was about 9:30 when I called.
My conversation went something like this:
me: "hi, I'd like to order a pizza for pickup"
them: "OK"
me: "right, I have this coupon for two small pizzas for $18"
them: "we only have medium and large left now"
me: "you can't make small pizzas?"
them: "no, do you want a medium or large?"
me: "can you do something so I can still use the coupon?"
them: "no, sir, goodnight"
*click*
They hung up on me!
And the fact that their pizzas are pre-made or something, so that "we only have medium and large left"...
what's up with that?
you don't make your pizzas fresh each time?
Well I can't even say this was poor service...because I didn't even get that far. I've never had a restaurant intentionally hang up on me in my life.
Rest assured I will never give them any of my $$$, and I encourage others to do the same. There are other businesses who appreciate our sales much more. -
Review from Daniel Z.
El Cerrito, CA
2/21/2010
This is my first review, sorry for dragging it on and on and on.
I was craving for some Pizza tonight as I was driving on San Pablo. So I stopped and googled pizza on my phone. This is the first local store that came up and it is very close to where I was so I decided to give it a try.
I ordered a house special that has Salami, Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Black Olives, Italian Sausage, Red Onions, and Bell Peppers, the usual combination toppings. I started a conversation with the owner while I was waiting for the pizza. He told me that he took over this place in 1993 and he got all his investment back in the first year. It reassured me that I came to the right place. He also told me that he actually has two partners before and now they all have their own business in Berkeley while he hold on to this store and help the other two stores out. The other stores are a fish and chip business and a mediterranean cuisine and his falafel has been named number one in the local newspaper when they first started. The owner is really a nice guy.
Anyway, back to the pizza. I was swallowing my drools when the pizza came out. It smelled so good and I know it'll be a really good pizza when I see him working on the dough, when he take the pizza out of the oven and turn it around so it burns equally.
Now, I am happy and full. Took me about 20 minutes to finish a medium pizza. :) The price isn't too cheap, it cost me about 18 dollars but it worth every single penny of it. I also found out that the personal size pizza is 2.50 + .50 each additional topping and it available all day fresh and pipping hot.
This will be my pizza destination from now on. -
Review from Chris O.
4/10/2009
Pretty darn good pizza. Made by what I think was a real Italian owner of the place. The crust was medium thick, toppings exactly how they should be (good sausage) and the sauce was tangy and tasty.
I was really happy I gave them a chance, they are very affordable and much better than most of the places around here, this will be my new regular pizza fix spot. Give them a try, I think you'll be pleased :)
As for the bad review (Miako, I'm looking at you), I have had much worse on the east coast and even though I prefer a more thin crust this was still really tasty and I wasn't even stoned.
update: After multiple visits I am still very pleased, this pizza is really good stuff, it just tastes right. -
Review from Kathleen W.
Albany, CA
8/30/2010
Ah, the wonders of Yelp. I have no idea where this place is located ... but found this via Yelp and without having to do much more than lift my arms, I ordered a meat lovers pizza for delivery. Large pizza all in for about $20. Add in tip and you're feeding 4 people for $25.00 with no effort.
It's on the salty side - but what do you expect when it's covered in 5 different meats? -
Review from Jin C.
El Cerrito, CA
6/14/2010
The best pizza in El Cerrito. That's not saying much because El Cerrito is not really a hot spot for pizza. Still I enjoy their pizza very much.
You can also go there and order by the slice. They have prebaked crust with sauce prepared before you order; they just throw the cheese and toppings and bake. It is still very tasty. The old guy (from Italy?) who is always there whenever I walk in is always super friendly and accommodating.
The drawbacks are they take a long time for delivery even though I live really close and they never come in the time they estimate. The guy who picks up the phone when I call in (who I am sure is not the same old guy I see when I walk in) is always rude and seems like he doesn't even want your business. -
Review from Robert L.
Richmond, CA
6/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
The perfect balance of flavors and spice. Delicious pizza and a welcome diversion from the hectic franchises of Little star or Zacharys. A real local gem. I am subtracting 1 star because they don't accept credit cards anymore (didn't tell when i ordered last time and showed up with none.)
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Review from Benjamin W.
El Cerrito, CA
9/24/2010
The Hawaiian pizza is where it's at. This place makes a solid pie, and since it is only a block away, it is THE place to be.
However... on occasion, you feel like you are caught in a Seinfeld episode. Except, instead of the Soup Nazi, it's the Pizza Nazi. The coupons are pretty sketchy and mostly useless. Some days it's closed when the hours say it should be open. Sometimes you will stand at the counter for a minute before someone will look you in the eye and take your order. One time we were turned away due to a funeral having ordered too many pizzas (WTF?) and another time because it was too hot outside...aren't pizzas supposed to be hot??
At this point, it has become a running joke to see if our pizza mission will even be successful... but despite the only 50% chance of actually securing a pizza, I still go running back for more! -
Review from Nick E.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2011
I live right by this place and eat here fairly often. I've always gotten their pizza by the slice and it's quite possibly the best pizza by the slice I've ever had. Why? because they make it right there for you. It doesn't sit out all day. I also come here quite a bit because one of the owners is a very humble and appreciating guy who tries his best to make the experience enjoyable. This pizza can really hit the spot when you're looking for a quick fix. I'm pretty lucky to live so close to it. haha.
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Review from Jose O.
10/18/2009
I love greasy pizza that isn't too thin or too thick and that's exactly what you get at Armadillo Pizza. This pizza totally reminds me of pizza from back home in LA and I hadn't found any like it here in the bay until now.
You can either get a whole pie or by the slice and at $2.50 a slice for a cheese and 50 cents per extra topping, it's a great deal in El Cerrito. I got mine with pepperoni and mushroom and it was seriously scrumptious. -
Review from Herbert S.
Davis, CA
8/23/2005
It's no longer pizza made by Brazilians. Now its pizza made by Turks pretending to be Brazilian. It gets hard when the World Cup comes about.
For pizza made by Brazilians its not bad, but considering the host of great options, why settle? -
Review from E C.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
8/1/2011
Try the vegetarian 1 pizza with pesto! My Tastebuds were on dancing.
We odered two nights in a row because it was so delicious.
Great service! I don't know about those bad reviewers experiences ....but i thought this place was in the business of making good pizzas and not dancing a jig for demanding customers with a couple bucks or a coupon.
We will be back. -
Review from elaine m.
Richmond, CA
6/10/2008
This is a 7 minute walk from my house - the closest pizza joint to me.
Being the impatient hungry American that I am, I break my resolve never to go here (they always paper my house with flyers that I somehow find untrustworthy) and order a margarhita pizza w/ garlic.
When I pick it up not 20 minutes later, I take it home, piping hot steam emanating from the box, and the tantalizing garlic smell wafting gently towards my face. I couldn't walk home fast enough.
The large ran me just under $20, and it was good for what it is. It's no Cheeseboard or Zachary's, but it is fresher than Little Casear's. -
Review from Connor Skye R.
Oakland, CA
7/27/2009
The only decent pizza place around that delivers to me, although it usually takes them more than an hour to do it. The pizza is quite good; I prefer the Cheese Deluxe and the Brazilian (linguica and artichoke hearts). And of course, like all guilty-pleasure pizza, it tastes fantastic cold the next morning.
The Cheese Deluxe, I find, is really elevated by some simple homemade roasted garlic and tomatoes. All I have to do is throw them in the oven when I order, and by the time it gets here they're slow-roasted to perfection.
It's just pizza, but sometimes you just need pizza. -
Review from Sara F.
Albany, CA
4/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
$2.75 for a lunch or dinner slice. Hell, even a slice at 10pm at night if you want it. In my neighborhood. With easy parking. Oh my god, my belly and wallet are crying.
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Review from Kimi m.
El Cerrito, CA
12/12/2010
Pretty solid delivery pizza in the East Bay. It's not fancy but it's not Pizza Hut either. Somewhere in the middle.
Listed in: El Cerrito, CA
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Review from Allen C.
Albany, CA
5/29/2009
My family and I live in the El Cerrito near Barrett and the Arlington. We order from Mountain Mikes as well; sometimes it seems like their pizza tastes the same no matter what you topping you choose - so we wanted to expand our horizons.
I was originally concerned that the pizza would come cold due to the distance, but it was hot and tasty.
I honestly think the best pizza in the Bay area is the "CheeseBoard"; "Cuginnis"; and "Zacharies" on Solano in Berkeley, but the pizza from Armadillo is a great substitute, delivered hot to [the outskirts of] El Cerrito with friendly service and great pizza. -
Review from Sam O.
Santa Rosa, CA
2/26/2011
I found this place because I was looking for a good pie that offered pizza by the slice, it exceeded all expectations; great pizza. The pizza dough is so good makes for a perfect crust. Has a clean kitchen, where you can watch your pizza being made to order. It looks like a hole in the wall pizzeria but puts out and exceptional product. (Brazilian pie is GREAT)
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Review from maiko h.
El Cerrito, CA
5/19/2005
You keep sending us menus that say you deliver until 9pm--why did you say "no deliveries" when we called on a Friday night at 8:30pm? Maybe you did us a favor by not delivering the mediocre bread-with-sauce-and-cheese concoction you call pizza on the West Coast.
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Review from Fiona C.
El Cerrito, CA
9/22/2011
loveeeeeeeee their pizza! too pricey for me but when i want fancy pizza this is where i go!
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Review from Michael V.
Albany, CA
4/22/2007
classic stoner pizza... this is a specific and great treat! Don't expect east coast or fancy...
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Review from Kaili H.
El Cerrito, CA
12/19/2010
Ordered the BBQ chicken and house special pizza and was pleasantly surprised. The actual store is in an inconspicuous plaza that I usually miss while driving by, but thanks to Yelp, we decided to try their delivery service. The pies came relatively quick (30 mins in the rain) and were nice and toasty. The ingredients seemed fresh and plentiful and the dough was decent. Overall, pretty good for a local pizza joint.
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Review from Ryan M.
Berkeley, CA
12/13/2010
Good pizza. Just good. Better than what you have at home fr sire.
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Review from Jacquelope A.
Richmond, CA
1/11/2009
Awesome pizza! Not focaccia-thick, not cracker-thin. Tasty sauce. A little heavy on the cheese for my taste, but apparently some people like it that way. Highly recommended for take-out or delivery if you live close by. I see that some other yelpers have had trouble with deliveries but so far, I've always had them show up on time with pizzas so hot we have to let them set a couple minutes before devouring them. A great, local, unpretentious pizza.
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Review from Schtef T.
El Cerrito, CA
2/26/2009
Best delivery pizza I've had in the East Bay. And, prices are reasonable too. They are generous with the toppings and the jalapenos are SUPER hot -- just the way I like them!
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Review from Susan S.
Richmond, CA
9/26/2011
Solid, independently-owned pizzeria in El Cerrito. There's never a long wait, the staff are very friendly in person or on the phone, and the pizzas always have crispy crusts and tasty sauce.
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Review from Jara K.
Richmond, CA
1/19/2011
Delicious pizza, but the owner apparently is not interested in having more customers or going the distance (in this case half a block) for customer service. We live in Richmond 4 houses from the El Cerrito border and got delivery from Armadillo twice with no problem. Just called up to order a pizza and were told they could not deliver to us. We explained that they had before and that we were even willing to walk the 4 houses to the border and wait for the pizza there and they said no. Ridiculous!
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Review from monica r.
Berkeley, CA
8/16/2007
I stopped by here once on my way back home from the Home Depot. No, I'm not writing a Home Depot review. Don't get me started. Maybe it was because I was so hungry. Maybe it was because the clearly overworked man there was still courteous enough to be extremely friendly to us. Maybe it was because I'm tired of waiting for tables at hip pizza places all over Berkeley and Oakland. But this tiny little hole in the wall, with one worker and two tables, and no customers, on a dusty San Pablo Avenue strip mall in El Cerrito of all places, felt like the best pizza in the East Bay. So, yeah, I'm sayin' it: Armadillo Pizza: the best.
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Review from Vanessa S.
Oakland, CA
1/28/2010
I came here to order a slice of pizza. There was no wait, but it probably took about 15 minutes to get my pizza, when the guy said 7 minutes. The pizza wasn't too bad and was fresh. The guy that runs the place is a nice fellow. Might come back here in the future.
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Review from Matt K.
Portland, OR
12/21/2009
This is totally fine, basic, California pizza. Armadillo is a shop run by a no-nonsense guy from Turkey who has been making pizza for about 25 years. It's not as cheap as Little Caesars and I don't like it as much as Arinell--but it's right near our house, and you can order by the slice ($2.50 + 50 cents per topping) all day.
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Review from Super D.
El Cerrito, CA
7/28/2011
Pizza is good but unfortunately the owner doesn't really value his customers when it comes to delivery, The delivery times stop super early and can take a while. He's tried to say he can't afford to keep his delivery guy there past 830 several times to me(like I really need to know that).... Kind of unprofessional and rude at times as well. He should make it pick up only and I'd give him a star or 2 more. I'd rather just goes to zachs on solano to pick up a delicious pie.
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Review from Carolyn F.
Charlottesville, VA
10/18/2009 1 photo
This was pretty good pizza and I'm a bit of a Northeast pizza snob. At last I've found something close to home (EC) that is tasty. We had plain cheese, which was good, though a bit greasy-- I tend to prefer less cheese and more sauce, though. We also ordered a Santa Fe (bbq chicken, red onion, provolone & fresh cilantro) that my husband loved. Greek salad is huge and delicious. We ate in and felt very well cared for by the staff. We'll be back.
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Review from Otney B.
Oakland, CA
7/6/2010
I've had pizza and calzone from this place a few times. BIG Calzone. I was very very happy with the food. Small place. Good guy behind the counter. As a matter of fact, I think I'll go there now...
