During the bubble, this was a good way to say, "I'm not going to do this. But if it happens, you can count on me take credit for it." When the third company to sell dog food online hit the market, VC's and entrepreneurs alike could be heard saying something to the tune of, "Yeah, I had that pet food idea a long time ago. I'm way beyond that. I'm working on electronic postcards now. This is going to be the next big IPO."
Fortunately, this time I'm not referring to the new dot-smack of the week, but an idea I have been lobbying for with Zachary's Pizza comment cards for the past 6 years. For those of you not familiar with Zachary's, it's a two location pizza joint in Berkeley, California, whose Chicago-style stuffed pizza rivals that of native Giordano's and Piero's. I've been going there since my friend Spartacus (a pseudonym he uses when reserving our seats) convinced me to take the 40 mile drive from Palo Alto.
Recently, a few long-time employees of Zachary's, discontented with the lack of career advancement and ownership opportunities, broke away and capitalized a new venture: Patxi's Pizza in Palo Alto. Patxi (pronounced pah-chee), formerly a cook at Z's. has concocted an entirely new riff on the Chicago standard: unique from both its native and Berkeley roots. Two partners of Patxi's, also former Z's employees, are managing the new business with the same enthusiasm and friendliness I became accustomed to at Z's.
Eight days after they opened, Spartacus and I sat down over a stuffed pepperoni pizza to take the taste test. As testament to our long relationship with Z's, everyone who had defected immediately recognized us. I felt a little like a food critique who was being a over-indulged, but the attention was agreeable and didn't' seem contrived. Following the first few bites, I cracked a huge smile; unable to contain my elation over the flavor (and the 35 fewer miles I'd had to drive). The sauce is a little sweeter than Z's, and no chunky tomatoes. Cheese and sauce have both been cut down to curb the watery mess characteristic of a Z's pie, and the crust is flakier and less buttery. All of the changes left me with a lighter feeling than I usually get at Z's.
I give the pizza an A+, but I do have one complaint: The ambiance is way too Palo Alto. The stone-tile floor, dark wood tables and chairs, enormous brass-accented bar, gaudy mirrors and pictures on the wall (you guessed it, of the Chicago skyline) left me feeling like they were trying to impress someone that will never come in there. I much prefer the community center feel of Z's College Ave. location, and I think Patxi's would be best served by lightening up the environment. In any case, if you're around Palo Alto and have a craving for "the bad thing", don't drive all the way to Berkeley, try Patxi's, and tell them Spartacus sent you.