Our Story

From Italy to California - A Pizza Journey

The Salvatore Family Legacy

The Salvatore Pizza story begins in Naples, Italy, where the art of pizza-making has been perfected over generations. Our founder, Antonio Salvatore, grew up watching his grandfather and father craft pizzas in their small family-owned pizzeria, absorbing the traditional techniques and secret recipes that would later become the foundation of our business.

In 1980, Antonio emigrated to California with a dream: to bring authentic Italian pizza to the American West Coast while embracing the innovative spirit and fresh ingredients of his new home. After five years of working in various restaurants and saving every penny, he opened the first Salvatore Pizza location in 1985.

What started as a small pizzeria with just four tables has grown into a beloved pizza delivery service across California, but our commitment to quality and tradition remains unchanged. Today, the second and third generations of Salvatores continue to honor Antonio's vision while bringing fresh ideas to our menu and operations.

Salvatore Pizza founder in the original location

Our Philosophy

Respect for Tradition

We honor the authentic methods and recipes that have made Italian pizza world-famous. Our dough is hand-stretched, our sauce is made from scratch using a family recipe, and we never cut corners.

Quality Ingredients

We believe that exceptional pizza starts with exceptional ingredients. We source the finest imported Italian products and combine them with fresh, locally-grown California produce for the perfect balance of authenticity and freshness.

Community First

We're more than just a pizza place – we're part of the community. We support local schools, sponsor youth sports teams, and participate in neighborhood events. When you order from Salvatore, you're supporting a business that gives back.

Sustainability

We're committed to reducing our environmental footprint through eco-friendly packaging, local sourcing, energy-efficient practices, and minimizing food waste. Our goal is to deliver not just great pizza, but a better future for our planet.

Our Journey

1985

First Location Opens

Antonio Salvatore opens the first Salvatore Pizza in Northern California, featuring just four tables and focusing primarily on takeout orders.

1992

Delivery Service Launches

With growing demand, we launch our signature delivery service, promising hot, fresh pizza delivered right to customers' doors.

1998

Expansion Begins

We open our second and third locations in the Bay Area, bringing authentic Salvatore Pizza to more communities.

2005

Second Generation Takes the Helm

Antonio's children, Maria and Marco Salvatore, take over day-to-day operations, bringing fresh ideas while maintaining the family's traditions.

2012

Menu Innovation

We introduce our California-inspired specialty pizzas, blending traditional Italian techniques with fresh, local ingredients and creative combinations.

2018

Sustainability Initiative

We launch our comprehensive sustainability program, including eco-friendly packaging, electric delivery vehicles, and partnerships with local farms.

2023

Digital Transformation

We enhance our online ordering system and mobile app, making it easier than ever for customers to enjoy Salvatore Pizza at home.

Today

Continuing the Legacy

With multiple locations across California, we continue to honor our roots while embracing innovation, serving thousands of happy customers every day.

Meet Our Team

The heart of Salvatore Pizza is our dedicated team of pizza experts, delivery specialists, and customer service professionals who work together to bring you the perfect pizza experience.

Team member 1

Maria Salvatore

CEO & Co-Owner

Daughter of founder Antonio, Maria oversees all aspects of the business with a focus on maintaining our authentic Italian traditions while driving innovation.

Team member 2

Sofia Russo

Executive Chef

With training from culinary schools in both Naples and California, Sofia balances traditional techniques with creative new flavor combinations.

Team member 3

Marco Salvatore

Operations Director

Antonio's son and Maria's brother, Marco ensures our delivery service runs smoothly and efficiently across all locations.

Team member 4

Elena Martinez

Sustainability Director

Leading our eco-friendly initiatives, Elena works to reduce our environmental footprint while maintaining the quality our customers expect.

Team member 5

Giovanni Russo

Master Pizzaiolo

With 25 years of experience, including training in Naples, Giovanni oversees our dough preparation and trains all new pizza makers.

Our Premium Ingredients

At Salvatore Pizza, we believe that exceptional pizza starts with exceptional ingredients. We're meticulous about sourcing the finest products from both Italy and California:

  • San Marzano Tomatoes - Grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius, these tomatoes are the foundation of our signature sauce.
  • 00 Flour - Imported from Italy, this finely-ground flour creates the perfect texture for our authentic pizza dough.
  • Fresh Mozzarella - We use both imported Italian buffalo mozzarella and fresh, locally-produced cheese for the perfect balance of flavor and melt.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Our cold-pressed olive oil comes from a small producer in Sicily, adding distinctive flavor to our pizzas.
  • California Produce - We source vegetables from local farms, harvested at peak ripeness for maximum flavor and nutritional value.
  • Artisanal Meats - From imported Italian prosciutto to locally-made sausage, our meat toppings are selected for quality and flavor.

We never use artificial preservatives, flavor enhancers, or low-quality ingredients. It's part of our commitment to providing you with pizza that's not just delicious, but made with integrity.

Fresh ingredients used at Salvatore Pizza

What Our Customers Say

"I've tried pizza all over California, and Salvatore's is simply the best. The crust has that perfect chew, the sauce is flavorful without being overwhelming, and they're always generous with the toppings. Plus, their delivery is consistently on time and the pizza arrives hot!"

David Chen

San Francisco, CA

"As an Italian-American, I'm very picky about my pizza. Salvatore's is the real deal. Their commitment to quality ingredients shows in every bite. The Margherita pizza reminds me of the ones my nonna used to make. It's become our Friday night tradition!"

Angela Rossi

Los Angeles, CA

"I appreciate Salvatore's commitment to sustainability. From their eco-friendly packaging to their electric delivery vehicles, they're showing that a pizza business can be both successful and responsible. Oh, and their Vegetarian Delight pizza is amazing!"

Michael Thompson

San Diego, CA

Join the Salvatore Family

We're always looking for passionate people to join our team. Whether you're an experienced pizzaiolo, a delivery driver, or someone who just loves great pizza and great service, we might have a place for you.

We offer competitive pay, flexible schedules, growth opportunities, and, of course, employee discounts on our delicious pizza!

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