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ZipPicks Awards
Best Late Night Restaurants in Walnut Creek
Best Pizza in Walnut Creek
Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Walnut Creek
Best Cheap Pizza in Walnut Creek
Best Family Friendly Pizza in Walnut Creek
Best Family Friendly Italian in Walnut Creek
Best Late Night Pizza in Walnut Creek
Master Critic Review
Slice House by Tony Gemignani
8.2
From 13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani, this fast-casual spot serves New York, Detroit, Grandma, and Sicilian style pizzas using ancient grain dough. The counter-service format with limited seating makes it ideal for quick late-night slices or whole pies to-go until 11pm on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Detroit Deep Dish, New York Cheese Slice, Margherita Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: World champion pedigree with multiple pizza styles under one roof
Who should go: Pizza purists, late-night snackers, families
When to visit: Late evening for fresh slices without crowds
What to order: Detroit deep dish, any slice by the slice
Insider tip: The Detroit style is the sleeper hit - crispy cheese edges
Logistics & Planning
Parking: South Locust St garage around the corner offers best option, street metered parking on Mt Diablo Blvd limited - grab-and-go format means quick stops work well
Dress code: Ultra casual - this is a counter-service pizza joint, come in whatever you're wearing, no judgment
Noise level: Low to moderate - limited indoor seating, mostly takeout focused, quick conversations work fine
Weekend wait: 10-15 min for slices, 20-25 min for whole pies during peak hours
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min typically, slices ready to grab
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - cheese and veggie slice options always available, margherita and specialty vegetable pizzas rotate
Vegan options: No - no vegan cheese option available, all pizzas contain dairy
Gluten-free options: No - no gluten-free crust option, kitchen handles wheat flour exclusively
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only for very casual, low-key dates - this is counter service with minimal seating, better suited for grabbing slices after an activity than a sit-down date. If you both want amazing pizza without pretense, it works. For actual date-night dining, look elsewhere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken or needed - it's first-come counter service. Limited indoor seating (bar-height table and a few stools), plus some outdoor tables. Most customers grab slices to-go. Don't come expecting a sit-down restaurant experience.
Is it kid-friendly? Perfect for kids - casual grab-and-go format, no waiting for service, cheese slices always ready, and kids love watching the pizza action. The quick-service style means antsy kids aren't stuck at a table. Just note limited seating if you want to eat there.
What's the difference between the pizza styles? New York: thin, foldable, classic. Detroit: thick rectangular pan with crispy caramelized cheese edges (the sleeper hit). Grandma: thin square Sicilian-style with fresh tomato. Sicilian: thick, airy, focaccia-like. Each uses Tony's signature ancient grain dough.
Is it actually good or just hype? Legitimately excellent - Tony Gemignani holds 13 world pizza championships including one in Naples. The dough quality separates this from regular pizza shops. The crust has character, the cheese is properly applied, and each style is executed authentically. Worth the reputation.
Best For
Better for: Best pizza quality in Walnut Creek by a wide margin - world champion credentials show in every slice. Unbeatable for late-night cravings until 11pm weekends when everywhere else closes. Best value for quality-to-price in downtown.
Skip if: You want a sit-down restaurant experience - this is grab-and-go with minimal seating. For pizza in a full-service setting try Telefèric next door, for late-night with atmosphere choose Broderick, for date-worthy dining go anywhere else on this list.
Hours
Monday11am - 10pm
Tuesday11am - 10pm
Wednesday11am - 10pm
Thursday11am - 10pm
Friday11am - 11pm
Saturday11am - 11pm
Sunday11am - 10pm