Kukar's House Of Pizza San Jose: A Historic Downtown Pizza Institution

Kukar's House Of Pizza Introduce

For decades, Californians in the South Bay have relied on a handful of establishments that represent the true, unyielding spirit of San Jose history. Among these, Kukar's House Of Pizza stands tall—not just as a pizza restaurant, but as a genuine local institution. Established in 1950 by the legendary George Kukar, this eatery offers far more than just comfort food; it provides a slice of local history, served up in a cozy, unpretentious, and historically rich atmosphere.

The essence of Kukar's lies in its commitment to tradition. It has endured the changing landscape of downtown San Jose, a testament to the dedication of its founder and the fiercely loyal customer base who once famously collected 14,000 signatures to save the restaurant from demolition. It’s known for serving classic, cheese-laden, square-cut pies that harken back to a bygone era of pizza-making, offering a flavor profile that is distinct and cherished by long-time residents.

While the atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, the experience is enhanced by a full bar, making it an excellent spot for college students, groups, and locals to gather for lunch, dinner, or late-night bites. It successfully balances its historic, comfortable vibe with the amenities expected of a modern local favorite, including a focus on sports viewing and a highly touted selection of drinks.

Introduction / Overview: A San Jose Original Since 1950

Kukar's House Of Pizza is rooted in a fascinating local narrative. It began its life in 1950 and has become synonymous with the perseverance of small, independent businesses in the face of urban development. Its current location at 527 S Almaden Ave is actually its third, having been physically moved twice due to city expansion, including the development of the San Jose Convention Center. This rich history is palpable within the walls, where the decor features nostalgic elements, giving the space a unique, "historic" and "cozy" feel that appeals equally to tourists and multi-generational San Jose families.

The menu is centered around hearty, classic American comfort food, anchored by its famous pizzas but extending into robust pasta dinners and satisfying sandwiches. Kukar's has cultivated a reputation for being an easy, reliable place to get a quick, quality bite or settle in for a long evening with friends. It serves as a true community hub, welcoming a diverse crowd including college students, local families, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, reinforcing its position as a truly inclusive and local-focused business.

Location and Accessibility

Located at 527 S Almaden Ave, San Jose, CA 95110, USA, Kukar's House Of Pizza holds a prime spot in the downtown San Jose area. For a downtown establishment, the accessibility offered here is a major highlight, often noted by locals as an anomaly and a distinct advantage:

Parking Convenience: The restaurant offers a dedicated Free parking lot as well as Free street parking. In a busy downtown environment, this amenity significantly enhances the dining experience.
Full Accessibility: The venue is fully equipped to welcome all patrons, featuring a Wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated Wheelchair accessible parking lot, a Wheelchair accessible restroom, and Wheelchair accessible seating.
Proximity to Downtown Attractions: Its location makes it an ideal stop for those attending nearby conventions, events, or simply exploring the city's core, proving popular for both Locals and Tourists.

Services Offered

Kukar's provides a comprehensive range of service options designed for maximum convenience and enjoyment:

Dine-in: Enjoy the casual, historic, and cozy atmosphere with available seating and a dedicated bar area.
Takeout: Quick and easy pickup for those who prefer to enjoy their pizza institution from home.
Delivery: Convenient service to get your favorite pizza, pasta, or sandwich delivered directly to your door.
Onsite Bar: Features a full bar with Great beer selection and Cocktails, ideal for happy hour or late-night drinks.
Late-Night Food: One of the few venues offering comfort food options well into the late-night hours.
Counter Service: An option for a quick bite or solo dining experience, maintaining the fast service standard.

Features / Highlights

The highlights of Kukar's House Of Pizza go beyond the plate, encompassing the full experience that makes it a beloved San Jose fixture:

The Historic Vibe: An atmosphere described as both Cozy and Historic, filled with memorabilia and an authenticity that chain restaurants simply cannot replicate.
Specialty Combination Pizzas: The core of the menu features unique, time-honored combinations. The 1950'S Confusion (Sausage, Salami, Hot Pepperoni, Olive, and Mushrooms) is the most liked specialty pie, while the fiery George's Special (Hot) (Beef, Onion, and Jalapeños) is a true legacy dish.
Full-Service Bar: The presence of an On-site Bar and offerings of Happy hour drinks, Hard liquor, and a Wine selection elevate it beyond a simple pizza parlor, making it a great destination for adults.
Commitment to Comfort Food: Beyond pizza, the menu excels with rich comfort classics, including the Meatball Sandwich (made with a homemade family recipe), the Linguica Sandwich (featuring local Silva Sausage), and full Spaghetti & Ravioli Combo Dinners.
Sports-Friendly Environment: Known for its Sports viewing, making it a popular choice for college students and local fans gathering for games.
Family and Group Friendly: The large seating capacity, combined with being Good for kids and providing High chairs, ensures that it’s a go-to spot for family outings and group dinners. The capacity to host events is also reflected in the menu's large pizza options, making it ideal for a birthday or gathering.

Contact Information

For inquiries, to place a takeout order, or for information regarding group dining, please use the following contact details:

Address: 527 S Almaden Ave, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
Phone: (408) 292-6882
Mobile Phone: +1 408-292-6882

What is Worth Choosing: The Legacy Flavors

For a first-time visitor or a Californian looking to reconnect with a piece of local heritage, the pizza is the unequivocal star. The crust, the generous cheese, and the unique combination of toppings are what earned Kukar's its "institution" status. You must try one of the legendary specialty combinations.

The number one most-liked specialty pizza is the 1950'S Confusion. This pie is a nod to the restaurant's opening decade, featuring a savory and slightly spicy mix of Sausage, Salami, Hot Pepperoni, Olive, and Mushrooms. It’s a classic, hearty blend that is perfect for sharing. For those who appreciate a kick, the George's Special (Hot) is the way to go, built with Beef, Onion, and Jalapeños for a satisfying, spicy warmth.

Beyond the pizza, the commitment to homemade comfort food shines. The Meatball Sandwich ($13.95), with its homemade, family-recipe meatballs on a toasted roll, is a powerful choice for lunch. The Steak Sandwich, made with hand-cut Rib Eye Steak ($17.45), offers a premium, filling alternative to the pizza. And for those looking for a full Italian-American experience, the Spaghetti Dinner ($16.50), complete with two homemade meatballs, a small salad, and garlic bread, offers incredible value and deeply satisfying flavor.

Ultimately, choosing Kukar's is about supporting a slice of San Jose history and enjoying a time-honored flavor. While any local establishment may face challenges in maintaining perfect consistency across all items, the strength and legacy of Kukar's House Of Pizza lie in its core offerings—its famous pizzas, its full bar, and its unique, history-filled atmosphere. It remains a beloved, authentic San Jose gathering spot that every California resident should visit for a taste of the past.

Kukar's House Of Pizza Food & drink

Specialty Combination Pizzas
1950'S Confusion $19.90
Sausage, Salami, Hot Pepperoni, Olive and Mushrooms.
Just Veggies $19.90
Fresh Spinach, Zucchini, Mushroom, Red onion and lots of Garlic.
Ham & Pineapple $19.90
All Meat $19.90
Sausage, Salami, Hot Pepperoni, Linguica and Beef.
George's Special (Hot) $19.90
Beef, Onion and Jalapeños.

Choose Your 2 to 5 topping Pizza
Very Small Pizza $23.75
Let us prepare a 2 to 5 topping pizza with your favorite ingredients!
Medium Pizza $37.25
Let us prepare a 2 to 5 topping pizza with your favorite ingredients!
Large Pizza $44.50
Let us prepare a 2 to 5 topping pizza with your favorite ingredients!
Small Pizza $30.50
Let us prepare a 2 to 5 topping pizza with your favorite ingredients!

Choose Your 1 topping Pizza
Very Small Pizza $19.95
Let us prepare a 1 topping pizza with your favorite ingredient!
Large Pizza $38.50
Let us prepare a 1 topping pizza with your favorite ingredient!
Small Pizza $26.00
Let us prepare a 1 topping pizza with your favorite ingredient!
Medium Pizza $32.00
Let us prepare a 1 topping pizza with your favorite ingredient!

Salads
Grilled Chicken Salad $16.45
CAESAR comes with crisp romaine lettuce, croutons, Chargrilled chicken Breast and topped with freshly grated Romano cheese.... SPINACH comes with Balsamic vinaigrette, fresh cherry tomatoes, red onion, carrots, Dried cranberries, Chargrilled chicken and croutons.
House Salad $12.50
Fresh Tomato, Crisp Red Cabbage, Cucumber, Crouton, Red Onion, Pickles, Shredded Carrot, and Corn.

Sandwiches
Steak Sandwich $17.45
Hand Cut Rib Eye Steak
Meatball Sandwich $13.95
Homemade with our family recipe
Burger $12.95
Chargrilled
Grilled Chicken Sandwich $13.95
Chargrilled, Hand-filleted chicken breast
Cheeseburger $13.95
Melted Provolone and Mozzarella cheese
Linguica Sandwich $13.95
Link Linguica from Silva Sausage Company

Bottled Drinks
Bottled Drink Choices $4.75

Pasta
Spaghetti & Ravioli Combo Dinner $18.50
Comes with Two meatballs, Small salad, Garlic bread and Marinara Sauce.
Ravioli Dinner $18.50
Beef and Spinach Ravioli with Marinara Sauce, Two homemade meatballs, garlic Bread and Salad.
Spaghetti Ala Carte $12.00
Ravioli Ala Carte $14.50
Spaghetti Dinner $16.50
Comes with Two homemade meatballs, Small salad, Garlic bread and Marinara Sauce

Desserts
Chocolate Chip Cookie $1.50
Fresh Chocolate Chip Cookie
Slice Of Chocolate Cake $3.75
A slice of yummy Chocolate Cake( 4oz)

Sides
Side Of Ranch $1.25
Side Of Jajapenos $2.50

Appetizers
Mozzarella Sticks $10.95
8 sticks with a side of marinara sauce
Cheesy Bread $8.25
Cut into 8 pieces.
Hot Wings $12.45
7 wings with celery and a side of Ranch

Kukar's House Of Pizza Details

Service options
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Serves local specialty
Sports

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Quick bite
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Counter service
Seating

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Historic
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Locals
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
Good for kids birthday
High chairs

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
On-site parking
Parking

Kukar's House Of Pizza Photos

Kukar's House Of Pizza Location

Kukar's House Of Pizza

California Santa Clara County San Jose San Pedro and Convention Center South Almaden Avenue

527 S Almaden Ave, San Jose, CA 95110, USA

Kukar's House Of Pizza Reviews

An average rating of ★4.2 from 1934 user reviews.

barconfusionarcaderaviolijalapenosgenerations1950jukeboxpitcher70s

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Kukar's House of Pizza is a San Jose Institution that I used to frequent as a child growing up in this town. They have their own parking lot in downtown San Jose which is an anomaly in itself. I thought everything was okay. I personally haven't been here since the 80s and I would not rush back, but I wouldn't turn it away either.
August 05 · Darlene Tenes
My dad and I came here August15 because I’m in town for San Jose for the convention here and And I will tell you, my dad and I we waited about 30 minutes before we finally got our pizza. It was really good but in my honest opinion it needed to be cut better but it was good and I even came back last night the 16th for dinner and I got spaghetti, some bread and some something else I can’t remember but that was really good except for the meatballs in the spaghetti. It was a little dry inside. I had to dip it in my pasta sauce to eat it if I didn’t have the pasta sauce, I would not have eaten the meatballs Yesterday, while I was waiting to order, I saw one of the staff members a girl with long hair. It was dark but she was wearing a gray sweatshirt and this was around 730 almost 8 o’clock at night she came she was in the lobby picking up tables and throwing it away in the garbage can well she dragged recycling bin back to the counter after her fingers were all over it, and she took care of the dirty dishes. Instead of washing her hands, she went right back to serving food, and not even acknowledging that I was in the standing there, watching what even gross me out after she came back after handling on fresh food she went back to throw something away and touched the Recycling garbage can and I thought that was really nasty and I would would’ve walked out but I was really hungry. I’m only back again this time because my hotel so slow service tonight for dinner that I forgot to give this place on the chance and I’m gonna be honest it’s a lot quieter and nicer tonight last two nights. I’m sorry for the low stars, but that was because for the food service last night but also the nuthouse of what is is. on another note, when I use the bathroom here yesterday last night, it was really nice and clean but this time I walked in and my nose wanted to fall off it smells there’s water all over the sink and the garbage can is overflowing with paper towels Water on the counter just sitting there there’s no Constant checking the bathrooms of the staff on shift. They had noticed they would’ve noticed that the garbage cans are overflowing water on the calendar in a few drops of water on the floor. If the manager or the owner of this business cares about this place which they do I would recommend that they reinforce their food handler safety because when I saw that lady touched the garbage can then touched the fresh food using the the dirty dishes hands . I honestly wanted to walk out, but I didn’t because I was so hungry if the manager or the owner wants to reach me feel free to send me a message through this review. Even though the review was a clean restrooms, the restrooms are not clean. They need to be maintained better service to better, and the signs outside the building aren’t even on there needs to be more lights outside the building. OK I’m going back and I’ve changed it for the third time after just seeing two of the staff members on tonight which is August 17 drag a recycling garbage can and an actual garbage can back then they let go of the cans and they go over behind the counter and they use hand sanitizer and that is their way of washing their hands instead of actually going behind the counter, going to the actual sink and using water and soap that is disgusting and you know for a cheeseburger you know I was expecting an actual cheeseburger round burger bun instead, I get a half burnt sandwich, subway sandwich, burger with cheese, and a somewhat good looking patty and I have to make it myself I don’t want the manager or the owner to call me. I will just re-be reporting this to the food safety. This is not safety food. This is just laziness. If you guys are gonna serve hamburgers at least have a round hamburger bun not some Subway foot-long and bread.
August 17 · bryan draper
My family went there tonight and it was delicious, per usual. We love the tasty pizza, tastes the same every time. It’s our daughter’s favorite place to celebrate since she was a little girl. It’s always a kind staff with cool decor. Love how it’s got a Halloween flare. The arcade is always so fun too.
September 18 · Crystal
ZERO STARS! There should be a NEGAVTIVE Star for business that allows concerning customer service.No matter how good your pizza is if you have an unprofessional manager who is rude to the customers, your pizza and business are nothing. Worst customer service and it wasn’t the staff but the manager! George, if you care about your company and customers, you should really evaluate who you have managing your business.I am a regular customer and once I witnessed the manager Kori belittling a mom with 3 kids I had to step in and try to help. I tried to de-escalate the situation, but the manager was so irate she didn’t have any control over her tone and was extremely unprofessional. Kori continued to yell over me and the mother even though neither one of us were talking when she was speaking. I had to remind her I was trying to help so she didn’t need to yell at me. She insisted she was talking loudly because the mother was talking over her, but the mother was standing there stunned in silence. I reminded Kori that part of being a manager is to act professional and try to accommodate or even compromise with customers.From what I witnessed the problem was the manager sat the mother and her group at a table that was too small, so the mother moved to another table. Kori the manager told the mother she needs to move from the table because they have a strict sitting policy. Kori told the mother she needed to go back to the podium and wait until she could be assigned another table. Since it was not busy and there were no customers waiting to be seated, I suggested to Kori to let the mother know the assigned table so they could move to the new table. Kori refused the suggestion and insisted the mother, plus kids all go back to the podium and wait to be assigned a table. Kori insisted she would not help until they were all at the podium. The mother tried to talk with Kori and tried to explain that her 3-year-old son has cancer and just came out of the hospital, and she was trying not to move him too much. The poor little boy still had a tube connected on his face and I could see the mother’s pain and disbelieve of what was happening. Kori decided to make the comment “I have someone who has cancer so don’t go there!” and then decided she was going to refuse service to them. I felt so bad I apologized to the mother for how she was treated and offered them our pizza to take with them.I wanted to bring it to the community’s attention because customers shouldn’t be treated in a belittling and disrespectful manner, especially in front of their kids.Step it up George! Make sure you are hiring the staff you want representing your business.
October 01 · Melinda Aguilar
The other week I tried this place out for the first time, and it was a pleasant experience all around. The atmosphere was welcoming, and the food was exactly what I was hoping for. I'd certainly consider coming back again when I am in the area
October 13 · Norma Bates