Since opening its doors in 1982, Valentino’s Take-N-Bake Pizza has been more than just a spot to pick up dinner — it’s been a fixture of Santa Barbara’s food culture, woven into the lives of families for generations. What began as one man’s vision for a fresher, better-tasting pizza has grown into a beloved local institution with stories baked into every slice.
The concept was originally dreamed up by Charlie Toronto, who believed pizza should come out of the oven fresh at home — never soggy in a box. He loved the simplicity: no ovens, no delivery drivers, just house-made dough, fresh ingredients, and pizzas crafted with care. When he later moved to Idaho and couldn’t find anything like it, he opened another Valentino’s there — proof he couldn’t live without the tradition he started.
Now in its fifth chapter of ownership, Valentino’s has been run by its current owner for the last 16 years. And the legacy is very much alive — with former owners still stopping by to say hello and long-time customers introducing their own kids to the same flavors they grew up with. “There’s a whole generation that remembers our pizzas from childhood — and now they’re bringing their kids in after practice or picking up subs for beach days. That kind of loyalty is humbling.”
When it comes to fan favorites, the menu has something for everyone — and every staff member has their own go-to. The Val’s House Special and Chicken Pesto Pizza remain classics, while the Hope Ranch BLT is a sleeper hit. But the sandwich that might best capture the spirit of the place is the Tyler Special — a creation that started as a custom request by a loyal customer from Talevi’s Liquor Store, crafted by the owner’s son Tyler. It spread through word of mouth until it had to be officially added to the menu. This June, it will be featured in The Santa Barbara Independent’s Sandwich Week on June 26 — a nod to the role community has played in shaping the menu…