Which Stanislaus County pizza place is your favorite? Here’s how Bee readers voted
Stanislaus County residents love their pizza, and they appear to love one particular pizza place above all the rest.
The Modesto Bee asked readers to weigh in on their favorite local or regional pizza parlor in Stanislaus County. The resounding results show a deep love of everyone’s favorite go-to meal for those “I don’t know, what do you want?” dinners or to feed a crowd or possibly just your feelings.
So who has the best pizza in the Valley?
The runaway winner was regional franchise Mountain Mike’s Pizza. The prolific area pizza parlor doubled its closest competitor’s vote total in our nonscientific online poll.
Some 31,800 votes were cast in this just-for-fun survey of regional pizza supremacy, and Mountain Mike’s earned about 13,800 of those.
The Top 5 finishers of the online survey for best Modesto-area pizza place were:
1. Mountain Mike’s Pizza, various locations
2. Stevie’s Pizzeria, Oakdale
3. Kraving Kebab Pizza, Turlock
4. Willie’s Pizza & Wings, Turlock
5. Pizza Plus, various locations
Mountain Mike’s has a long history in Northern California. The regional chain was started in Palo Alto in the Bay Area in 1978. The first store opened in the Modesto-area in the 1980s. Oakdale couple John and Ann Maddox own eight of Stanislaus County’s 14 Mountain Mike’s locations.
The pair opened their first Modesto store in 1992 on McHenry Avenue and now join the other area franchise owners in celebrating the chain’s big win.
“To be recognized as the best pizza chain in the Modesto area is as exciting as it is reaffirming, especially considering our storied history in this community and our longstanding reputation as Modesto’s favorite destination for irresistible crispy, curly pepperoni pizza and a wide range of delicious, made-to-order menu items,” said John Maddox.
Over their 30 years owning Mountain Mike’s restaurants, the Maddoxes said they’ve had the children of original employees come work for them as well, creating a generational connection to the chain known for its signature curled up and crispy pepperoni slices.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza President and COO Jim Metevier also issued a statement on the chain’s win and its commitment to the Central Valley.
“Echoing our brand promise in 250 communities throughout the West, Mountain Mike’s is proud to be recognized by The Modesto Bee, and equally proud to be an active part of the Modesto community, as we continue our commitment in the Central Valley to an unmatched guest experience for families, solo diners and groups of all sizes,” Metevier said.
