Collective Ethos at Cheese Board Pizza

Date First Visited: August 25, 2012
Price: $3.00 for Bernie’s Best Organic Apple Cider; $3.50 for Organic Mixed Greens (Small) and $10.00 for Half Pizza.

If there is one place that the whole population of Berkeley raves about, it is probably the pizza joint in Gourmet Ghetto, Cheese Board Pizza. Starting off as just a cheese store back in 1967, Cheese Board became 100% employee-owned when the owners decided to collectively operate the business. So what makes their pizza so amazing? The pizzeria sells only one type of pizza each day of the week and no substitutions are allowed. Everything is made from fresh ingredients; and to top it all off, it is also vegetarian. For the meat-lovers out there, even your fellow carnivores love the pizza here. Customers receive fresh pizza straight from the oven every time because they only make one type of pizza.

The collective ethos drives this business’ passion for creating fresh and delicious pizza. It is not just about the food here. Students, neighbors, and visitors of Berkeley love Cheese Board for the experience – a leisurely atmosphere with live Jazz music playing in the background. You would have to experience it for yourself to understand.

Long Line Outside

People go nuts for Cheese Board Pizza, and lines run around the corner. Don’t be scared off by the line. Trust me, it will be worth your wait and it goes by fairly quickly.

Crowded Inside

Tips for the Band

Ovens. “It’s not only delicious back here, it’s a little dangerous. So please, don’t go past this sign without a clear invitation.”

Customers receive fresh pizza straight from the oven every time because Cheese Board only makes one type of pizza each day.

Bernie’s Best Organic Apple Cider

Organic Mixed Greens – Root vegetables with creamy herb dressing

To pair with your vegetarian pizza, why not add fresh greens too? It’s always smart to eat healthier.

Pizza of the Day (8/25) – Corn, Chile Pasilla, Onions, French Feta Cheese, Mozzarella, Cilantro, Key Limes, Garlic Olive Oil

When a new pizza comes from the oven, remaining slices of the previous pizza are cut in smaller pieces and distributed with the new pizza as lagniappes. Lagniappes are ”something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure.” The pizza toppings here are usually not found at your local pizzeria, as Cheese Board prefers more unconventional pairings. Jason loves corn, so we went on a day when Cheese Board served corn, chile pasilla, onions, and cilantro-topped pizzas. The crust is thin, the pizza is not overly oily, the corn and lime pairing is awesome, and it is uniquely delicious. It is probably the most popular pizza in the East Bay by far so definitely add this to your must-try list.  Even if you’re a meat-lover, you’d forget that this pizza is vegetarian.

Tips:
1) There will probably be long lines at every hour Cheese Board is open.
2) Scout for seats when you are close to ordering, or mimic the local residents by sitting and eating on the grass across the street or on the sidewalk.
3) Try the pizza with corn. Menus are posted on the website weekly.

Yelp Review: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cheese-board-pizza-berkeley
4.5 out of 5 stars. 2,550+ reviews.

Address:
(Gourmet Ghetto)
1512 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709 (map)
Tel: (510) 549-3183

Hours:
Tue-Sat 11:30 am – 3 pm
Tue-Sat 4:30 pm – 8 pm