Indian Pizza lovers in the East Bay, rejoice. Fans of the oh-so-Bay-Area casual-dining trend can now get their fix on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, where local chain Curry Pizza House has a brand-new outpost.
The new Curry Pizza House (2380 Telegraph Ave.) offers the same menu as other Curry Pizza House locations, including a full range of pizzas topped with classic Indian and Indian-inspired meats, veggies, and sauces — plus non-curry "classic" pizzas, and a handful of other dishes.
The restaurant currently serves 14 Indian-style meat or vegetarian pizzas, including chicken tikka, chicken curry masala, tandoori chicken, chili paneer, and aloo chaat. "Classic" pizza options include a meat lover's combo, veggie, Mexican, Hawaiian pizza, and others. Patrons can also build their own pie over the sauce of their choice — sauce options include curry, red sauce, pesto, barbecue sauce, garlic, and more. Vegan cheese is available, as are gluten-free and cauliflower crust options.
Prices run about $18 for a 10-inch, $23 for a 12-inch, $28 for a 14-inch, or $38 for an 18-inch; or snag a personal pie for about $12. Curry Pizza House also serves a variety of wings, including curry and tikka wings (starting at $8 for an order); simple salads ($7 and up); masala chips ($6); garlic sticks ($8 and up); and desserts. They also offer mango lassi ($4.25) and a variety of soft drinks.
The Telegraph spot is the 11th Bay Area location for the Curry Pizza House chain, which has expanded rapidly since starting in 2015, and another spot is due to open in Pleasanton soon, according to the company. There are also a smattering of locations elsewhere in California and in Texas. The chain grew from Bombay Pizza House, a laid-back pizza parlor in Fremont.
So when, where and how exactly did Indian pizza begin? That's the stuff of legend, but we know that for many years it was limited in the Bay Area to classical Indian restaurants that served up pizza too, first and foremost Zante's Pizza & Indian Cuisine in San Francisco, whose original owner first created unique Indian-fusion pizza starting in the 1980s.
Now locals can get fresh Indian-style pizza in dozens of spots around the Bay, as several local Indian-pizza chains have proliferated in recent years, in addition to Curry Pizza House. Check out Hoodline's roundup of some favorite Indian pizza joints around the Bay Area to read about some of them.
The Berkeley Curry Pizza House is located at 2380 Telegraph Ave. Get more information or order at currypizzahouse.com/locations/berkeley/; (510) 279-4183.