1980 was the year Mt. St. Helen’s erupted, Pink Floyd put “Another Brick in the Wall,” the K-car was introduced, John Lennon was assassinated and Reagan won by a landslide. It was also the beginning of Woodstock’s Pizza in San Luis Obispo.

When Chuck Woodstock and Mike Chew decided they wanted to open a restaurant in California, they searched the state for an ideal college community. They chose San Luis Obispo because of its strong association with Cal Poly SLO and its small town college atmosphere. Chuck and Chew opened Woodstock’s at 1015 Court Street (next to McCarthy’s) in December 1980.

Their goal from the beginning was to create a fun hangout for college students, offering 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.

Chuck and Chew, along with their pizzeria, quickly became fixtures in San Luis Obispo. People still remember the days when Chew would walk around town with his huge black dog, Woolly Bears. She wore a coat emblazoned with “I Eat Exclusively at Woodstock’s” and was sometimes seen riding on the roof of Chew’s car. Sadly, Chuck and Chew passed away in a private plane accident in 1985, but their legacy continues at Woodstock’s.

Mike Swift, Woodstock’s General Manager, still maintains many of the traditions begun by Chuck and Chew. 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. We’ve had lots of practice – we estimate that we’ve produced more than two million pizzas since 1980!

Woodstock’s management team is an institution in itself. Mike Swift has been with Woodstock’s since 1985, and was promoted to General Manager after serving 10 years as the Operations Manager. He’ll be assisted by Jeff Lafranchi, who has been promoted to Woodstock’s Director of Training and Human Resources. Jeff’s been with the company since 1987 and served as General Manager for 13 years. Jeff Ambrose, Woodstock’s owner and President, has been with the company since 1980. And Tom Soucek, Co-Owner and Vice President, began in 1985.

We eventually outgrew our original location. In 1991 we moved across the street to the corner of Higuera and Osos Streets downtown.

Part of the Woodstock’s culture has been a strong commitment to the community. Woodstock’s has hosted hundreds of fundraisers for various campus and community organizations through the years. One of the notable fundraisers here was for Brandi Diaz, a local resident who desperately needed a bone marrow transplant. Thanks to the generosity of many community members who participated in our fundraiser, Brandi’s family was successful in finding a match for her, and she has recovered from leukemia.

In 2001 an employee of Woodstock’s, Nate Young, was in an accident that left him with serious head injuries. We hosted a fundraiser to help with medical expenses, and all of the team members at Woodstock’s agreed to work for free that day. Every dollar earned over our actual food cost was contributed to the fundraiser. On that day, Woodstock’s set an all-time record of 1040 pizzas served. All told, we raised $14,716 for Nate’s family. Unfortunately, Nate eventually passed away from his injuries, but his legacy lives on at Woodstock’s. There is a permanent memorial for Nate in our restaurant today.

It’s been well over 20 years now, and Woodstock’s is going strong. Year after year we win the New Times Reader’s Poll for “Best Pizza of SLO.” And countless people make a pilgrimage back to Woodstock’s every time they’re passing through the area.

Woodstock’s has sister locations in four other California towns – Isla Vista (near UC Santa Barbara), San Diego (near SDSU), Davis (UC Davis), and Chico (CSU Chico). In addition, the original Woodstock’s Pizza Parlor in Corvallis, Oregon is owned by Chuck’s wife, Carol Lee Woodstock.

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.

Woodstock’s has won numerous awards over the past years, including:

Voted "Best Pizza of San Luis Obispo" (20 times)
The New Times Readers' Poll, San Luis Obispo

Voted Cal Poly’s Favorite Pizza!
Mustang Daily 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 Readers’ Poll

"Award of Quality"
National Academy of Restaurant Evaluation

Voted “Best Pizza” (2 times)
Telegram-Tribune’s First & Second Annual Readers' Poll

With our history in San Luis Obispo, we have tens of thousands of Woodstock’s “alumni” who continue to seek out Woodstock’s when they’re back in their old college stomping grounds. In addition, we have thousands of loyal community members who continue to frequent Woodstock’s and recommend us to newcomers.

Many people have taken the time to thank us over the years, as well as share their favorite Woodstock’s memories with us. Below are just a few:

"You guys are my favorite pizza place anywhere! Your food is delicious and always a treat" - Danielle Dutro, San Luis Obispo

"Always a quality pie... Brother Tom´s salad is wonderful... We try other pizza places sometimes because of their coupons and deals and it is usually a let down compared to your pizzas." - Joel C

"We've tried others over the past 20+ years, but none compares to quality of the pizza and service from Woodstock´s delivered."
- Louis Beerson

“I wanted to thank you for Woodstock's generosity regarding the free CinnaBread on November 4, 2008!  The generosity of you, your staff, and the Woodstock's company in general is AMAZING and is much appreciated! I have enjoyed your products for years as a staple of SLO, CA!” - Kristen

“You are T-H-E Best! Good workers. and the best food. We have had them all, but you are the one! After we found you we tossed the other phone numbers away........” - Ron & Susan Phillips

"The wheat crust option is amazing! Thank you for the awesome deliveries during the long late nights!" - Christina Boeryd

"It was my first time dining at Woodstock’s and I enjoyed the whole experience and thought the food was very good and would definitely come back!" - Maria Gonzalez

"Always excellent every time!!!  Me and my boyfriend always have the best time!"
-Lucia Hollowel

Keep up the great work! We love your lunch specials too! Great for quick, affordable meals!
– Melinda Martinez

Excellent; hit the spot!!!!
–A De Gelia, San Luis Obispo

Everyone I know loves Woodstock's pizza, its a big hit with my family and we plan on dining at your business.
–A Rogalla, Atascadero

You are our FAVORITES!!!!!
–C Krebs, San Luis Obispo

Not only was it hot and perfect, but delicious as well!
–C Carsey

Everything is always tasty, quick and pleasant. When my family thinks of pizza, we unanimously choose Woodstock's.
–N Dansby, San Luis Obispo

Until we can return to the Central Coast to reside, my family has decided (okay, so it was my 6 year old son's decision) that every time we come to the coast we must eat your pizza. We drive from Bakersfield because we can't afford the delivery charges. It's the best pizza eating experience for all of us and we always eat till we hurt.
–Kim Kartinen

Your pizza ROCKS!!!
–Tatiana Ortiz

We continue to find Woodstock's´ pizza better than all the rest...very good ingredients, great sauce. We've tried the others. You're the best!  
–TJ

I love your pizza and am an even bigger fan that you are open late night.
–April

I love going to Woodstock's and just hanging out with friends. Good pizza and good beer.

thanks for offering whole wheat crust!!!! and for letting us order extra sauce and light on cheese - the perfect pizza!!!

I love pizza...but Woodstock's is in a league of its own. I am in love with your pizza place. I think about it all the time. I'm ready for commitment. Will you marry me?

Our family loves to eat at Woodstock's. we try to go twice a month. Thank you for great pizzas and salads

WE love Woodstock's pizza. It is the ONLY pizza my son will eat....he is a very picky eater! We usually have Woodstock's at my kids birthday parties a lot!

You are our new favorite pizza place!!

Where I'll be getting my pizza from now on. Keep up the good work. We don't have this type of pizza in Arizona.

Thanks so much for the great pizza tonight! The crowds were lively and the pizza was excellent! I'll see you again soon hopefully! Also, coupons are always a huge plus with me, so if you have any extras lying around, you know where to find me! :)

Woodstock's´ is still the best pizza in town!

This was the best pizza we've had in a long time. We will definitely eat here the next time we are in town.

We like the choice of whole wheat or white crust, and the pizza is always SO tasty.

We enjoyed our first visit, my sons liked the rare classic Star Wars game. The only you didn't have was a clear malt beer like a Zima, which would have been nice.

I had not been to Woodstock's for several years, because I moved out of the area. It was so great. The food was fresh and I loved the wheat crust.

Woodstock's has been our favorite pizza place for as long as I can remember because your pizza is so much better than everyone else's. Keep it up!

You guys are our favorite pizza place and have been for a long time! Keep it up!

Woodstock's has been a family favorite for a long time and we love your pizza! I'm going down to school in San Diego in the fall, and I was more than excited to find out that you guys have a shop down there, too.

We rarely get pizza from Woodstock's because it is not nearby our home, but each time we do makes it very worthwhile. The pizza is always delicious and the staff is always friendly.

We love Woodstock's. We order pizza from you about once every two weeks. The whole office is always happy!!

Out of this world pizza.

Woodstock's for life baby!~

“Woodstock´s has been our favorite pizza place for as long as I can remember because your pizza is so much better than everyone else's. Keep it up!”
– Stephanie Paulus

"Always willing to get what you want. The cashiers never hurry you, and are helpful. The service is great and for so many customers, it is not really too loud or congested feeling, I enjoy eating in."
– Brenda Howard

"GOD I ATE THE WHOLE THING!!!! OINK OINK
I LIKE IT I LOVE IT I WANT SOME MORE OF IT
I REALLY LIKE YOUR PIZZA."
– Tim Zepick

"Woodstock's is an awesome place to chill and you guys have the best food."
– Courtney Lee

"The best pizza I have ever had!  We live in Santa Maria but we will be sure to stop in for lunch next time we are in town!"
– Estella Blanco

"Woodstock's is not just great tasting pizza, its also a great place to dine with friends & family or an important business client. There's a reason why they have been voted best pizza on the Central Coast 15 years running."
– SLOcoupons.com

"I like Woodstock's Pizza because it is the best I have ever tasted"
–David Yanez, a Woodstock's customer who comes in everyday for the All-You-Can eat pizza lunch special.

"This place is sweet. …Pizza parlor with TVs, plenty of seating, right in downtown. Monday thru Wednesday 8-11 pm happy hour. They make their pizza with sauce all the way into the crust and its damn good sauce. A fun, chill place to hang out and see the natives....and it's open very late!!!"
–Kierko at IGOUGO

"Students only....NOT!!
My daughters took me for pizza when they first started college in SLO. At first I thought I'd feel out of place but this is not just a college hangout. Everyone comes to Woodstock's, not just for the pizza, which is great by the way, but for the atmosphere.

We frequented this place a lot during those college years and now when we go to visit or just drive through, we always stop for a slice.

The pizza is great and the beer flows freely and you've just got to try their special "cheesy" bread with a salad."
–Testimonial from CitySearch.com

"Plain cheese pizza ?
You gotta try a Woodstock's Pizza in SLO.
Great pizza, lots a different toppings of your choice."
–Randy Peterson

"San Luis Obispo County residents don’t fool around when it comes to pizza. With a large college-age population, competition is barbarous. To come out a winner in this kind of market is akin to winning the Olympics, and Woodstock’s has earned its gold medal. A first-place winner five times since 1995, Woodstock’s is the Muhammad Ali of pizza restaurants in San Luis Obispo County; both are legendary and timeless.

To come up with a pie of this caliber, Woodstock’s pizza engineers must be held accountable to the public. Therefore, the pizzas are constructed behind a Plexiglas shield, in full view of the dining room. Both white and wheat crusts are available, as well as the usual assortment of pizza toppings with a freshness you won’t find at inferior establishments.

The secret to Woodstock’s success is not in the sauce, which is prepared daily on-site, but in the crust. Unlike traditional, lesser pizzas, Woodstock’s folds its crust over instead of leaving it flat. This creates a sort of "sauce-filled crust"- effect, which, when combined with the sauce, cheese, and toppings, makes for an experience that has obviously had a resounding effect on county residents. The ambiance of the dining room is enhanced by large televisions usually featuring seasonal sports, a small bar area featuring both domestic and imported beer, and a separate room filled with video game machines.

Prices are reasonable, the location on the corner of Higuera and Osos Streets makes for premium streetside people-watching, and, as if all this wasn’t enough, Woodstock’s also offers delivery, lunch specials, salads, happy hours, buffalo wings, and more. Woodstock’s is an excellent place to dine for all occasions."
–New Times

If you would like to share your Woodstock’s experience, click here.