A fresh contender is set to join the San Francisco Bay Area’s thriving pizza scene. Cheezy’s Artisan Pizza, the brainchild of award-winning pizzaiolo David Jacobson, will open in March at Saluhall, a newly developed food hall located on Market Street. The restaurant will take over the former Smorgsland space on the first floor, continuing to offer morning coffee and baked goods, now provided by Compagnon Bakery.
Cheezy’s Artisan Pizza represents the culmination of Jacobson’s long career as one of the Bay Area’s top pizza talents. Jacobson, who has spent over 20 years perfecting his craft at renowned pizzerias such as Pizza My Heart, Pizzeria Delfina, and Flour + Water Pizzeria, is no newcomer to the pizza scene. He will also compete at the World Pizza Championships in April 2025 and has served as a judge for prestigious pizza competitions, including the 2023 Real California Pizza Contest and the Galbani Professionale Pizza Trials in Orlando.
The menu for Cheezy’s is still being finalized, but early details suggest bold innovations that will appeal to pizza enthusiasts. Guests can look forward to 12-inch pizzas with a five-day fermented sourdough crust, described as a “reinvention of neo-Neapolitan and Grandma-style pizza.” Among the highlights is Jacobson’s Grandma-style Gold Rush pie, a square pizza featuring Cow Girl Creamery Red Hawk and Wagon Wheel cheeses. The dish won Jacobson the grand prize of $15,000 at the 2022 Real California Pizza Contest’s Tournament of Champions.
Jacobson’s career has garnered the admiration of pizza luminaries, including Tony Gemignani, the acclaimed master pizzaiolo behind several pizza restaurants across the West Coast. Jacobson previously worked with Dirk Tolsma to develop the pizza menu at Oakland’s Acre.
Despite its high culinary aspirations, Cheezy’s maintains a playful spirit. The restaurant is named after Jacobson’s pint-sized Chihuahua, Cheezy. “This is an art project for us,” Jacobson explained. “After years of making pizza for others, Cheezy’s is our opportunity to create something truly our own.”
Cheezy’s is set to become part of Saluhall, a major new food destination on Market Street. The food hall, developed by the parent company behind Ikea, is a welcome addition to the Civic Center neighborhood. It features a primarily plant-based menu and hosts several local Bay Area businesses, including La Venganza and Casa Borinqueña. The opening of Cheezy’s comes amid a surge of new pizza spots in San Francisco, including the artisan-focused Jules from Max Blachman-Gentile, the Detroit-style pizza at Joyride, and the anticipated return of Outta Sight to Chinatown.
Related topic:
