It was 1984...
and Chuck Woodstock, along with Mike Chew and Jeff Ambrose, were scouting San Diego County for a possible site for a new pizzeria. Chuck had already opened the original Woodstock’s Pizza in Corvallis, Oregon, and with Mike Chew, they had opened restaurants in San Luis Obispo, Chico and Santa Barbara.* Jeff was originally from San Diego County, and anxious to get back to SoCal.
They wanted a location near San Diego State, and they found just what they were looking for -- in an old Laundromat! It took months of hard manual labor, and then more months to install the tongue-in-groove cedar and wood booths that have become synonymous with Woodstock’s. They opened in the spring of 1985.
Chuck and Chew, with Jeff as their General Manager and co-owner, began with a simple formula that continues to this day. They wanted 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. Sadly, Chuck and Chew passed away in a private plane accident in 1985, but their legacy continues at Woodstock’s.
The ownership of Woodstock’s was split among Chuck and Chew’s family members, and in 1990, they promoted Jeff to President of Woodstock’s Pizza in California. In 2001, Jeff and Laura Ambrose purchased Woodstock’s from the Woodstock and Chew families. So Jeff, who began as Chuck’s delivery driver in Corvallis, ultimately became owner of all five California Woodstock’s.
Although the ownership has changed, the founding principles remain the same. 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 San Diego State, we now have tens of thousands of Woodstock’s alumni who still make it a point to visit us whenever they’re in town.
Look at the carving on the walls and the booths and you’ll see lots of names from the past. We can even take credit for some marriages that got their start in Woodstock’s!
Woodstock’s has sister locations in Chico (near Chico State), San Luis Obispo (CalPoly), Isla Vista (UC Santa Barbara) and Santa Cruz and now in Pacifc Beach. The original Woodstock’s Pizza in Corvallis, Oregon is owned by Chuck’s wife, Carol Lee Woodstock.
Mission
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.
Awards
Voted San Diego's Best Pizza 2004
-AOL's City Guide
Voted San Diego's
Best Pizza Restaurant!
–SignOnSanDiego.com's Online Readers'
Poll
Voted Best Pizza in San Diego County
Named Pizza King of San
Diego
–The Union Tribune
Voted SDSU's Favorite Hangout
Voted
SDSU’s Best Pizza place!
- Daily Aztec’s best of state Readers’ Poll
Voted San Diego’s Best Pizza!
- CityBeat Magazine’s Readers’ Poll
