CONTRA COSTA COUNTY – If you’ve ever argued that the East Bay quietly punches above its weight in the pizza world, consider this your mic-drop: the Food Network just named Berkeley’s Cheese Board Collective the best pizza slice in California.
The pick appears in the network’s “50 Best Pizza Slices by State,” where the North Shattuck institution tops the Golden State.
What Food Network Loved
Food Network’s editors highlight Cheese Board’s very Berkeley bona-fides: it’s a worker-owned co-op turning out a single, vegetarian pizza that changes daily—think fresh corn with pasilla and feta in summer, or wild mushrooms with chèvre when it’s cool out.
The write-up calls the collective a cornerstone of the city’s “Gourmet Ghetto” (Berkeley prefers not to call it that anymore, and the official name is now North Shattuck) and points readers straight to Shattuck Avenue.
Why this Matters for 925 Readers
From most of the 925, it’s literally a quick hop through the Caldecott Tunnel to North Berkeley.
Yes, we know there’s a psychological barrier to driving to the Berkeley side. But in terms of actual driving time, it’s often faster to get to North Shattuck than San Ramon or Pleasanton. And as a bonus, it’s often 30 degrees cooler!
Don’t feel like driving? Cheese Board’s influence extends well beyond one storefront: its now-famous zippy green sauce—a cilantro-garlic serrano number that’s basically the classic Yemenite sauce zhug—has inspired spinoffs and sister shops across the Bay.
Right here in Lafayette, we’ve got Sliver Pizza, which was founded by a Cheese Board alum.
How Cheese Board Became an Icon
Cheese Board started as a cheese shop and bakery in 1967 and converted to a 100% worker-owned cooperative in 1971—long before co-ops were cool. The pizzeria came later.
Cheese Board originally inspired Alice Waters to set up Chez Panisse in Berkeley, which touched off the New American food movement. So Cheese Board has both excellent pizza and rich history.
How to Try It
- Where: 1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley (North Shattuck/Gourmet Ghetto).
- When: Lunch Tue–Sat, dinner Wed–Sat, most of the time. Since it’s a worker owned collective, hours can vary. Check the website.
- What to expect: One pizza and one salad each day, plus that beloved green sauce on the side. Whole pies and slices available; the daily combo changes with the seasons.
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Bottom Line
For East Bay pizza fans, California’s “best slice” is in our backyard—no bridge required. Of course, that’s if you believe the Food Network. Our favorite is Slice House right in Walnut Creek…