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 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.

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.

With our history in Chico, we have tens of thousands of Woodstock’s “alumni” who continue to seek out Woodstock’s when they’re back in their old college stomping grounds. In addition, we have thousands of loyal community members who continue to frequent Woodstock’s and recommend us to newcomers.

Many people have taken the time to thank us over the years, as well as share their favorite Woodstock’s memories with us. Below are just a few:

[We use] Woodstock's peel-a-deal cards to raise money for my student groups. This money helps pay for our competitions at regionals/nationals be it the American Marketing Association (AMA) in New Orleans or the American Advertising Federation-National Student Advertising Competition in Fresno (regional) or Louisville (nationals). I've probably raised over $10,000 through selling these cards the last five years, so it's really helped send additional students to the various collegiate competitions. I hope you continue to use this program as it's been very successful here in Chico.
--Bill McGowan American Marketing Association (AMA)

I love the atmosphere, service, and most of all, the food! Keep up the good work!
--Stephanie Rissmiller, Chico

You keep us coming back with your great food, excellent customer service and speedy delivery times! Thank you!
--Kelly Grago, Chico

MY 7 YEAR OLD SON AND I COME IN, ORDER PIZZA AND PLAY POOL. IT IS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE THINGS TO DO. THE STAFF IS ALWAYS HELPFULL AND FRIENDLY. THE FOOD IS GREAT. WOODSTOCKS IS A SAFE FAMILY PLACE FOR ME AND MY SON TO HAVE FUN. THANK YOU
--Beverley Taber

It was my first time there, and now this is our favorite place for pizza. keep up the good worky guys!!

I love the atmoshpere and the cheerful attitudes of all the employees. Add another location in Chico!

As always a great pizza; my special requests were accomodated and we love the whole wheat crust!!!

The Pizza was piping hot upon delivery. So hot that I had to wait to eat it. Wow!! That´s a first for delivery! Any delivery.

Always expect the best from woodstocks and once again you delivered. Thanks.

Every time we order from Woodstocks, we are more and more impressed. We will continue to be loyal Woodstocks consumers. Thank you!

You consistently deliver a top notch pizza! The Wildcat Combo is one of the best pizzas we´ve ever had!! Thank you!

Very good pizza ... nice place ... friendly staff!

We like that you have a huge tv to watch Monday night football on!!

Love, love, love the pizza! We´re looking forward to Monday night football on the big screen tv!!

I really like it, this was my first time there and I will definitly go back. The pizza was awesome and the service was great too!

I love the new wheat crust that you can order instead of regular flour. Much more healthier!!

You have great pizza.

My kids really like Woodstock pizza.

there was a huge soccer party there, and lots of people watching the basketball game, and we got our food very very quickly. it was great!!

VERY DELICIOUS!!

we have never had a bad experience with Chico´s Woodstock restaurant and will continue to order your pizzas because or the quality of the food, the exemplery service and the amazingly fast delivery...every time!! Thanx!!!

We love your Mt. Lassen pizza - its the best!

We heart "Woody´s"!!!!!

Good job, grat service, keep it up!

I love your salads and dressings!

I grab a shroom slice and a soda as often as possible.

Just thinking about it is making me hungry.

Very friendly and helpful staff was present durning my recent trip that made the overall experience wonderful.

Great pizza and service, keep it up.

Service was very good and we had a lot of fun with the arcade style games and the little "tv style" game that is in the dining area.

We haven´t had a Woodstock´s since you were behind Normal St.Bar,and now we can only ask ourselves "WHY?"

Where can you find the atmosphere of a neighborhood hangout, the service of a five star hotel and pizza that would make Chicago quiver? Woodstock's Pizza in downtown Chico, of course.

… The salad was crisp and fresh. The ingredients seemed as if they had been picked only moments before in a garden just behind the restaurant. The carrots, onions, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons and lettuce were not only appealing to the eye but also a refreshing spin on the ordinary garden salad ingredients. The ranch dressing was creamy and bold. Its robust flavor set it apart from the ordinary Hidden Valley selection.

… The medium pizza was so large it would have been suitable for three individuals to get more than their share. The thick white crust sat under a mound of cheese, Canadian bacon, and pineapple.
--Kristin Sparhawk, The Orion

Dear Woodstock's,
I'm curious about the possibility of getting a "Woodstocks Pizza" box and a t-shirt with your logo on it.

Just over 10 years ago I met my wife in Chico and our first date was to Woodstocks and then to the bowling alley. We now live in Fairfax, VA and I would like to surprise her on our anniversary and try to
recreate our first date.

If there's any way to buy an empty box (since I'm assuming a pizza wouldn't make it all the way out here) and a t-shirt, please let me know!

thanks,
T.J. Hanton

"The best pizza I have ever had. I always get pizza from here and don't even bother going to anywhere else. There is no point. You guys are the best."
–Marissa Cmaylo

"The best pizza in Chico!"
–CAVE website

"I love the blend of pizza and beer in one place."
–sarah12379@aol.com

"Very good pizza & they deliver."
–Gateway Apartments website

"I’d say Woodstock’s in Chico has the best pizza in the area"
–Gspacker3@aol.com

"Your booth 'spirit' was infectious and helped make the event that much more
fun and enjoyable.  As always, we appreciate the effort you put into
everything you do and consider our partnership one of the many
reasons why downtown events are so fabulous.

I want to thank Woodstock's for its on-going support of downtown and DCBA causes.  We look forward to working with you and your wonderful staff in the years to come."

-Katrina
 

If you would like to share your Woodstock’s experience, click here.