It was 1982...
and Chuck Woodstock, along with his partner, Mike Chew, traveled the state of California in search of an ideal college town to locate a Woodstock’s Pizza Parlor. With a successful current restaurant in Corvallis, Oregon (near Oregon State), they were ready to find a similar situation in California. They drove to Chico, took a look around the town and campus, and knew they’d found just what they wanted. In fact, they were so excited about the location that Chuck bought the building right across the street from Chico State and named it Woodstock Plaza.
Woodstock’s Pizza opened in Chico in August of 1983. Chuck and Chew had a simple formula -- to create a fun, student-oriented atmosphere, and to offer classic pizzas that surpassed anything they’d tried elsewhere. One of Chuck’s innovations was to put sauce in the folded-over crust. He also insisted on putting more toppings on the pizza than any of his competitors did. Ideally, you should get a taste of every topping in each bite of a Woodstock’s pizza.
Woodstock’s quickly became an institution in Chico. Some of us remember the days when Chew would walk around town with his huge black dog, Woolly Bears. She wore a coat emblazoned with “I Eat Exclusively at Woodstock’s!” Sadly, Chuck and Chew passed away in a private plane accident in 1985, but their legacy continues at Woodstock’s.
John McCall, Woodstock’s General Manager, still maintains many of the traditions begun by REAL ingredients begun by Chuck and Chew. The dough is still handmade each day, we still use Chuck’s secret sauce recipe, we insist on using the freshest ingredients available, we still load on the toppings, and we teach every employee to make each pizza as if it were for their best friend.
Since the very beginning Woodstock’s has had a policy of supporting numerous campus and community organizations by hosting fundraisers in our restaurant. Through the years, we’ve given away thousands of dollars to local nonprofit groups. We also encourage group business, knowing that pizza is a great way to eat together. And with our longevity and ties to CSU-Chico, we now have tens of thousands of Woodstock’s alumni who still make it a point to visit us whenever they’re in town.
We’re very grateful for the support we’ve received from the students, faculty and staff at Chico State, as well as from local residents. We’ve been winning awards for years, including 'Best of Chico' by the News & Review numerous times, and are consistently one of the most popular booths at the 'Taste of Chico' event. Currently, Woodstock’s holds the title of Chico State’s favorite pizza in a student poll sponsored by the Orion.
Woodstock’s has sister locations in Davis, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and San Diego, all of which are owned by Jeff and Laura Ambrose. In addition, the original Woodstock’s Pizza in Corvallis Oregon is owned by Chuck’s wife, Carol Lee Woodstock.
And now, in February of 2010 Woodstock's proudly announces the latest edition to the family: Woodstock's Pacific Beach!
Mission
Our mission is to earn loyal customers and team members who uniquely regard Woodstock’s as the Ultimate Pizza Experience.
To earn the distinction of being the Ultimate Pizza Experience we will:
• Prepare every customer’s meal with individual attention.
• Use the freshest, best tasting ingredients.
• Consistently create outstanding, unique pizzas and accompaniments that are widely-regarded
as the best ever, anywhere!
• Treat each and every customer with friendliness, respect and courtesy.
• Provide outstanding value that keeps customers returning with uncommon frequency.
• Be recognized as a fun and outstanding place to work.
• Provide a fun-filled festive atmosphere.
Woodstock’s will encourage our team members to work hard and have fun.
Woodstock’s will be regarded as a reputable, well-run company by all of our business partners and team members.
Woodstock’s will strengthen and give back to the communities we serve by fostering partnerships with local non-profit organizations.
Awards
Voted “Chico’s Best Delivery” -CN&R 2007 Readers’ Poll
Woodstock’s has won numerous awards over the past years, including winning the
CNR's 'Best of Chico' award multiple times, and being voted 'Best Pizza' in the
Orion Reader's Poll multiple times.
