Kamil Perry
The Cheese Board is a pizzeria, bakery, and cheese shop in Berkeley, California, that was founded in 1967. It is known for its unique offering of only one type of vegetarian pizza per day, with toppings that reflect what's in season. The pizzas are typically sold by the slice or as a whole pie, either fully cooked or par-baked. In addition to pizza, The Cheese Board offers a variety of baked goods, salads, and beverages, including beer and wine. The pizzeria has a distinct hippy vibe, with live musicians and a communal dining experience, and is known for its long lines and dedicated following.
Characteristics and Values of Cheese Board Pizza
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709 |
| Opening Hours | Wednesday: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Thursday: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Saturday: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday: Closed |
| Price | $3 per slice of pizza, $6 for a salad, $2.50 for the green sauce, $3 for soft drinks, $6 for a glass of wine |
| Pizza Options | One type of pizza per day, with well-toasted mantles of cheese and veggie toppings that reflect what's in season |
| Pizza Size | 14 inches in diameter |
| Additional Items | Salads, cookies, soft-serve ice cream, beer, wine, sourdough cheese rolls, blueberry scones, baguettes, sweet rolls, and an assortment of artisan cheeses and baked goods |
| Atmosphere | Scandinavian architecture, outdoor seating, live music, a "cool, liberal" crowd |
| Business Model | 100% employee-owned collective, anti-capitalist |
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What You'll Learn
The Cheese Board Collective
The Cheese Board helped spark a revolution in artisan bread, bringing the French baguette into vogue for Berkeley consumers. In 1975, the bakery began to experiment with baking bread, marking a shift from a purely mercantile business model to a mixed model that combines on-site artisanal hand-production with domestic and import retail. The Cheese Board also contributed to the development of the North Shattuck neighbourhood of Berkeley into a famous culinary destination: the "Gourmet Ghetto".
The Cheese Board has a history of incubating new businesses, such as the Arizmendi Association of Cooperatives, which has launched independently owned and operated bakeries in Oakland, San Francisco, Emeryville, and San Rafael. The Cheese Board has also helped launch other cooperatives, such as the Swallow Collective Cafe in the Berkeley Art Museum and the Juice Bar Collective.
Cheese Board Pizza, located two doors down the street from The Cheese Board at 1512 Shattuck Avenue, serves one type of pizza each day, alongside a selection of baked goods and salads. The pizzeria offers indoor and outdoor seating and features live music, creating a unique Berkeley experience.
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Cheese Board Pizza
The pizzeria stands out for its unique approach to pizza, offering only one type of vegetarian pizza per day. This specialty pie is a celebration of seasonal ingredients, with toppings that stretch to the very edges, ensuring a generous portion. The cheese, of course, takes centre stage, with well-toasted mantles adorning each pizza. The crust, too, deserves a special mention, as it pairs perfectly with their famous green dipping sauce, a spicy and excellent accompaniment.
While the pizza is the star attraction, Cheese Board Pizza also offers a variety of other delectable treats. Their bakery boasts an array of baked goods, including sourdough cheese rolls, blueberry scones, beer-rye bread, baguettes, and sweet rolls. The cheese shop, meanwhile, presents a vast assortment of artisan cheeses to tantalize any cheese connoisseur's taste buds.
The atmosphere at Cheese Board Pizza is just as noteworthy as its food. The outdoor seating area, with its Scandinavian architecture, provides a relaxed setting for diners to enjoy their meals. Live music adds to the vibrant ambiance, creating a unique Berkeley experience. The pizzeria is communally owned, with 100% employee ownership, fostering a sense of community and happiness among the staff.
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The Cheese Board's history
The Cheese Board is a collective pizzeria, bakery, and cheese shop located at 1512 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, California. Founded in 1967, the business is situated in the spirited business district of the city, which was becoming the epicentre of the hippy movement during that time. The Cheese Board's progressive vibe is reflected in its unique, anti-capitalist business model—it is owned 100% by its employees.
The pizzeria offers a simple yet well-executed menu, with a focus on quality. Each day, they make only one type of vegetarian pizza, with toppings that showcase seasonal ingredients. The pizzas are 14 inches in diameter and are known for their well-toasted mantles of cheese, stretching to the perimeters of the pie. The crusts are often served with a green dipping sauce, featuring a blend of spices, olive oil, garlic, and citrus. In addition to their daily pizza, they also offer a salad, cookies, soft-serve ice cream, and a selection of beverages, including sodas, beer, and wine.
The Cheese Board's bakery and cheese shop are just as popular as their pizzeria. They offer a variety of baked goods, including sourdough loaves, sweet rolls, baguettes, and an assortment of artisan cheeses. The bakery also sells partially baked pizzas, both gluten-free and vegan options, which customers can finish baking in their ovens at home.
The Cheese Board is known for its lively atmosphere, featuring live musicians and a diverse crowd that embodies the cool, liberal spirit of Berkeley. The seating is mostly outdoors, with wooden tables and benches built into the curbside landscape. The pizzeria is closed on Mondays and Sundays, and on the other days, it is usually bustling with customers, often with lines stretching around the corner. Despite the wait, many customers find the experience well worth it, making The Cheese Board a beloved staple of Berkeley's culinary scene.
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Daily pizza options
The Cheese Board in Berkeley, California, offers a unique pizza experience by serving only one type of vegetarian pizza per day. This specialisation ensures that each pizza is crafted to perfection, with a well-toasted mantle of cheese and fresh, seasonal veggie toppings stretching to the perimeter.
The daily pizza options at The Cheese Board showcase an enticing variety, such as a pie topped with late-spring asparagus, fresh Italian parsley, garlic, cheddar, mozzarella, olive oil, and organic lemon zest. The creative combinations and attention to quality ingredients have earned The Cheese Board a cult following among Berkeley residents and visitors alike.
While the specific daily pizza options are not listed online, customers can expect a delightful surprise each day, with pizzas featuring unique combinations of seasonal produce and cheeses. For those who crave variety, The Cheese Board also offers a colourful salad, soft-serve ice cream, and a rotating selection of baked goods, including cookies, sourdough loaf, and sweet rolls.
In addition to the daily pizza, The Cheese Board accommodates special requests, including gluten-free and vegan options. Customers are advised to inform the staff before getting in line to ensure availability. The pizzeria also offers partially baked pizzas that can be finished in a home oven, providing a convenient way to enjoy fresh, hot pizza.
The Cheese Board's daily pizza options embody the essence of Berkeley's cool, liberal spirit, combining exceptional food with a vibrant atmosphere. The live musicians, outdoor seating, and collective ownership model all contribute to the unique charm that keeps customers coming back for more.
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The Cheese Board experience
The Cheese Board in Berkeley, California, is a unique pizzeria that offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Founded in 1967, it has become a beloved institution in the city, known for its delicious pizza, bakery, and cheese shop. Here's what you can expect from a visit to The Cheese Board:
The Atmosphere:
The Cheese Board exudes a distinct progressive and hippy vibe that reflects the spirit of Berkeley. With its Scandinavian architecture, outdoor seating area, and live musicians, the pizzeria offers a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. The seating is mostly outdoors, with wooden tables and benches built into the curbside landscape, creating a communal and inclusive feel.
The Pizza:
The pizzeria offers a simple yet exceptional menu, focusing on one type of vegetarian pizza per day. The 14-inch pies are generously topped with a variety of cheeses and seasonal veggie toppings that go all the way to the perimeter. The ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, ensuring a delicious and unique flavour combination each time. The pizzas are sold whole and can be purchased fully cooked or par-baked, allowing you to finish baking them at home.
The Bakery and Cheese Shop:
Adjoining the pizzeria is a bakery and cheese shop that offers a wide variety of baked goods and artisan cheeses. The bakery features an array of delicious treats, including sourdough loaves, sweet rolls, baguettes, and an assortment of cookies. The cheese shop boasts an impressive selection of cheeses, including various artisan curds and vegan options. The Cheese Board also offers gluten-free and vegan-friendly pizzas and baked goods, accommodating different dietary preferences.
The Collective:
The Cheese Board is unique in that it is owned 100% by its employees, creating a true collective spirit. The employees are happy and passionate about their work, and it shows in the quality of the food and the overall experience. The pizzeria embodies the anti-capitalist business model, with all employees being paid equally, further adding to the progressive culture of the establishment.
The Lines:
The Cheese Board is known for attracting long lines, with people queuing up for their delicious pizza, bakery items, and cheese. However, the wait is usually relatively brief, and the efficient service ensures that the line moves rather quickly. The popularity of The Cheese Board is a testament to the quality of the food and the overall dining experience it offers.
In conclusion, The Cheese Board experience is about more than just pizza. It's about immersing yourself in the vibrant culture of Berkeley, enjoying fresh and delicious food, and embracing the collective spirit of this unique establishment. Whether you're a local or a visitor, a trip to The Cheese Board is sure to leave you with a full stomach and a memorable dining experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese board pizza is a type of pizza that typically has a well-toasted mantle of cheese on it. The Cheese Board Pizza in Berkeley, California, is a pizzeria that serves one type of vegetarian pizza a day.
The Cheese Board Pizza is a pizzeria in Berkeley, California, that serves one type of vegetarian pizza each day. It is a collective, owned 100% by its employees, and has a bakery and cheese shop attached to it.
The Cheese Board Pizza offers a variety of items besides pizza, including sourdough bread, salads, cookies, beer, wine, and ice cream. They also have gluten-free and vegan options for their pizzas.
