Zelda's Original Gourmet Pizza

Zelda’s Gourmet Pizza is a Sacramento institution that has been around for over 40 years… and they are still going strong! This restaurant features an old school vibe that you won’t find at most places. It’s charming, unique, and a place like no other. Step into Zelda’s and it’s like you’ve stepped back into the past. The pizza here is done in a deep dish style with accompanying sides that really deliver on flavor and taste. If you haven’t been to Zelda’s, it’s really a place you’ve got to check out.

I love coming to Zelda’s at night because they feature a huge neon sign that denotes its location. At most places, you’d expect to see some windows looking into the restaurants… but that’s not the case here. There are no windows! There is only a door and walls that conceal the restaurant inside. It’s literally a hole-in-the-wall place.

At first it can be quite intimidating to get into, but you just have to take the dive and open the door. Coming into the restaurant you’ll notice that it’s pretty dark. The lighting is dim and the walls feature articles from newspapers and magazines raving about the food here. There’s also a very large portrait of a lady which I can only guess is Zelda. Past that the restaurant is split into two sections - the bar and the main dining room.

The bar is nice and long and a place that you can enjoy your pizza as well. There’s a tv there for folks to watch, but if you’d like to sit down for a nice meal, the dining section is the way to go. In the dining room you can enjoy a nice booth or sit at one of their open tables. The booths are a bit more intimate, and I’d go with one of those over a table any day.

Once seated, I’d order a pizza up as quickly as possible as the wait time at Zelda’s can be quite long. The pizza’s take a long time to cook, so be prepared to wait. Some patrons call ahead to put in their orders before arriving so the wait isn’t as long - smart!

The pizza selections on the menu are simple. You can get pepperoni, cheese, sausage, pesto, and a few combo options. They even have anchovies available!

Unlike most pizza places, the pizza here is thick and heavy as it is deep dish pizza. The crust has a cornmeal taste to it and it will fill you up quickly. I can do about two slices of a large before waving the white flag. I find the pizza to be very satisfying and completely different than any other place. If you’re not expecting it, the experience may throw you off a bit, but I think many will enjoy Zelda’s take on pizza.

The pizza will come to you in the pan it was cooked in, so be careful… the stuff is piping hot and you could really get burned if you touch the hot pan. We were told by the server that they have to serve you the first slice for your safety!

Going to Zelda’s is always a treat, and I certainly recommend visiting. The restaurant has been around for many years, and I hope to see it around for many, many more!

Website: www.zeldasgourmetpizza.com

Address: 1415 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95811