Maybe everybody’s idea of
family-friendly dining is
pizza. While there are plenty of big chain pizza joints throughout Marin, there are a few smaller, more distinctive places that are worth seeking out. These are a few of our favorites in
Novato and
San Rafael:
We like
Mary’s Pizza Shack in
San Marin Plaza in Novato. Sure, it’s a chain, but it’s a local one. Started by the late Mary Fazio (yes, there was a real Mary) up in Boyes Hot Springs, near Sonoma, in 1959, Mary’s has expanded all over the North Bay. The busy Novato branch has friendly service, pretty good pizza, and a great selection of wine and beer. Plus it’s open and noisy, and therefore just fine for families with kids.
Another favorite, this time off Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael, is
Mulberry Street Pizza. Their pizzas are unique creations (we like the Greek pizza with green olives, pepperoni, and feta cheese) you won’t find anywhere else. Their top selling pizza “For the Love of Mushroom” won the 2005 Food Network Challenge: Pizza Battle; they’ve also been awarded the “Best Pizza” by the Pacific Sun’s Best of Marin 2007 readers’ poll.
Also in San Rafael, near Scotty’s Market on Del Ganado Road in Terra Linda, is
Lo Coco’s Pizza. Lo Coco’s has been there seemingly forever, and is always busy. Service is good and the pizzas have quite a following among area locals.
I’m sure there are more out there that we haven’t tried. Feel free to leave a comment and share your favorites with us.
One place I wish was still around is the long-gone Marin Pizza Pub, which used to be on 3rd Street in San Rafael. Long time Marin residents will remember it as the place for birthday parties, with its pinball machines and primitive video games, movie projector showing cartoons, bubble machine, and of course the mighty Wurlitzer theater organ. I don’t remember the pizza being all that great, but it was pretty much secondary to the experience of going there.
