Za
138 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA, 02474
Za Menu
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Diabetics at Zaxby's:
If you are someone who cannot resist tasty food, then at Zaxby's you can always try the Zalads. The best part about these salads is that you can customize it as per your needs. Make it grilled, fried or just go for the garden which can make your salad healthy and low on calories.
Foods to Avoid at Zaxby's for Diabetics
If you are diabetic, you must skip all the Drinks served at Zaxby's. There are only a couple of no sugar drinks, but they are merely empty calories and don't contain any nutritional value. You must also avoid food items on the Popular menu at Zaxby's such as Buffalo Chicken Finger plate and Chicken Finger Plate. These items are high in sugar and sodium which can be harmful to diabetics. You must also keep the Chicken wings order to a maximum five to control your sugar intake. Avoid BBQ, Teriyaki, and Sweet & Spicy sauces in your Chicken wings order.
Food suggestions for Diabetics at Zaxby's
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Nutritional Facts: 620 calories, 42g (Tans. Fat 7g & Sat. Fat 14g), 940mg sodium, 40g carbs, 8g sugar, 4g fiber, 21g Protein
Five Boneless Wings with No Sauce
Nutritional Facts: 360 calories, 18g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 1000mg sodium, 27g carbs, 1g sugar, 2g fiber, 23g Protein
The Garden House Zalad
Nutritional Facts: 400 calories, 24g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 12g), 760mg sodium, 31g carbs, 5g sugar, 4g fiber, 14g Protein
Celery and Ranch for Five Wings Boneless or Traditional
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 390mg sodium, 3g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Nutritional Facts: 160 calories, 6g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 125mg sodium, 23g carbs, 12g sugar, 1g fiber, 2g Protein
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High Blood Pressure at Zaxby's
Instead of ordering fried chicken wing servings, you can always request for a grilled sandwich with lettuce, onion, and tomatoes to counter high blood pressure. A sandwich calorie count can range between 900 to 1600 calorie which can be reduced by asking for healthier options.
Foods to Avoid at Zaxby's for High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, then you must avoid Boneless wings and Club Sandwich at Zaxby's. You should also skip Kickin' Chicken Sandwiches as well as Chicken Finger Sandwich to control your blood pressure levels. You must also skip the chicken wings with multiple dressings and sauces at Zaxby's from the popular menu. these food items on Zaxby's menu contain a very high amount of sodium.
You should also skip salted fries at Zaxby's with your wings or sandwich as fries will spike the sodium levels unnecessarily. It is also recommended not to try Zappetizers such as Buffalo Dip and Tater Chips, Tater Chips, and Side of Tater Chips Onion Rings if you wish to limit your sodium intake.
Food suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Zaxby's
Five Traditional Wings with No Sauce
Nutritional Facts: 290 calories, 19g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 340mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 30g Protein
One Chicken Finger with No Sauce
Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 1g & Sat. Fat 6g), 730mg sodium, 23g carbs, 4g sugar, 3g fiber, 18g Protein
The Garden Caesar Zalad
Nutritional Facts: 280 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 340mg sodium, 3g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 11g Protein
Celery and Ranch for Five Wings Boneless or Traditional
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 390mg sodium, 3g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie (35g)
Nutritional Facts: 170 calories, 9g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 125mg sodium, 22g carbs, 14g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Nutritional Facts: 160 calories, 6g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 125mg sodium, 23g carbs, 12g sugar, 1g fiber, 2g Protein
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High Cholesterol at Zaxby's
If you are supposed to restrict your calorie count, then try any of the zalads and club it up with a sandwich to fill your stomach with delicious food. To curb the cravings for deep fried food, opt for a small portion (5) of boneless wings and chicken fingerz.
Instead of ordering fried chicken wing servings, you can always request for a grilled sandwich with lettuce, onion, and tomatoes to counter high cholesterol. A sandwich calorie count can range between 900 to 1600 calorie which can be reduced by asking for healthier options.
Foods to Avoid at Zaxby's for High Cholesterol
Salads are often great and considered healthy. However, if you have high cholesterol, then you must be careful while ordering salads or shall we say Zalads at Zaxby's. Fried Cobb salad contains high-fat content which can spike your LDL cholesterol levels. Most food items on Zaxby's menu are high in fat content if you increase the quantity. Instead of opting for 10 or 20 chicken wings from the menu, opt for 5 traditional chicken wings to control your cholesterol balance.
Food suggestions for High Cholesterol at Zaxby's
The Garden Cobb Zalad
Nutritional Facts: 520 calories, 23g (Tans. Fat 2g & Sat. Fat 11g), 840mg sodium, 30g carbs, 4g sugar, 5g fiber, 13g Protein
The Garden Blue Zalad
Nutritional Facts: 370 calories, 32g (Tans. Fat 2g & Sat. Fat 14g), 950mg sodium, 32g carbs, 6g sugar, 4g fiber, 24g Protein
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Nutritional Facts: 620 calories, 42g (Tans. Fat 7g & Sat. Fat 14g), 940mg sodium, 40g carbs, 8g sugar, 4g fiber, 21g Protein
Celery and Ranch for Five Wings Boneless or Traditional
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 390mg sodium, 3g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie (35g)
Nutritional Facts: 170 calories, 9g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 125mg sodium, 22g carbs, 14g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q & A for Zaxby's
Where's Zaxby's located?
Zaxby's is located around 800 locations around the United States. Most of these restaurants are owned by franchisees but 123 locations are retained by the Zaxby's corporate.
What is Zaxby's known for?
Zaxby's is famous for its trademark Zaxby's Club Meal, Wingz, and Things, Chicken Finger Plate, Chicken Salad Sandwich Meal and Cajun Club Sandwich.
Is Zaxby's healthy?
Compared to fried food available in Zaxby's you can always order zalads which are tasty and has 500 to 700 calorie range per plate.
How much Zaxby meal cost?
The popular combo meals ranging between 4$ and 8$ are served for people on a tight budget.
When do Zaxby's close?
Zaxby's is operational in around 800 different locations. The timings vary based on the locations. However, the store opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes around 10:00 p.m. You can check the timings for the Zaxby's located nearby on our Restaurant Listings.
What's Zaxby's menu?
Zaxby's menu mainly features sandwiches and zalads. The main attraction of Zaxby's is their popular meals package comprising on chicken wings and fingerz.
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About Zaxby's
Zaxby's is a popular fast food restaurant chain which first opened in Statesboro, Georgia in March 1990 by Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley. Later in years, the Zaxby's restaurant chain expanded in 800 locations mainly in the Southern United States. Zaxby's gained fame for serving perfectly cooked chicken wings, chicken fingers with a different type of sauces. The restaurant also gained some followers after they introduced sandwiches and salads on their menu. The dipping ranges from mild to moderate version Zax Sauce as well as much popular extremely hot “Nuclear” and “Insane”. Apart from serving good food, Zaxby's also supports Make-A-Wish® Foundation to honor thousands of children they serve every year.
Healthy Food Options at Zaxby's
Zaxby's is not a place if you are looking for health food but there are great options if you want to enjoy crispy chicken wings and chicken fingers. Other food options one can try are sandwich meals, wing, fingerz, and zappetizers. The best part of Zaxby's menu is they give approximately calorie count which each plate serving.
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Address :
138 Massachusetts Ave
Arlington, MA, 02474 - Phone (781) 316-2334
- Website https://www.zarestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Tim K.
5 words: bread and butter jalapeño peppers...yum!
(5)Julia R.
The place for people who like to put fun or weird things on their pizza. Perfect for take-out. Recommend: Anything with potatoes, bacon, garlic, thyme... Don't recommend: Mac 'n cheese za.
(4)Paul G.
Love the idea of this place with crazy pizza combos like strawberries with goat cheese and onions, but the execution leaves much to be desired. I don't really understand all of the 4 star reviews as the pizza taste is rather average. Prices are a bit high and menu options are rather limited. Nice variety of non-traditional beers on tap.
(3)Dave P.
We're not coming back. The menu and decor all screamed high-end pizza restaurant. We were duped! We ordered the grilled chicken specialty pizza and a custom pizza with three extra ingredients. We also ordered two beers, two sodas, and a glass of wine. The total for the bill, including tip was $63. Yes, $63. The food is incredibly underwhelming if not mediocre at best. When our pizzas came out, they looked like frozen pizzas I might buy from grocery stores. Perfectly small, round, and it tasted like mediocre pizza. I still can't believe we paid $63 for our meal and drinks. Ridiculous. Even the service was mediocre. Even though we were there on a Tuesday night when the restaurant was fairly empty, our server checked in on us only a few times. We weren't told of the special pizzas on the special board so that was annoying because there isn't much to choose from the menu. I didn't know this until after we ordered and then I looked up to see the special board. The board is hard to see from the distance. Pretty disappointed overall.
(2)Chris H.
I'm handing out five stars because the experience at Za was just that superlative. I used to live in Northern Italy and the dining experience here was equal to the best I had in Italy. Service was terrific, food could not have been better. I like the extensive use of local ingredients. The wine list is tiny but well curated. I only wish I could have tried the impressive dessert menu but I was too full.
(5)Eunice E.
Za makes it look so simple... they take fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients and offer a variety of rotating (and amazing) 'zas and 'lads. Easy, right? But don't be fooled... easy doesn't mean not tasty or not impressive. My sweet potato pie was perfection on a thin crust, topped with banana peppers, basil, and a whole lot of deliciousness. Andrea B's apple pie (ha ha ha) looked awesome, too. Don't believe me? Check out the photos! They are worth a million words for sure... mostly ones like yum, mmm, and "can it be March again in Boston so these can be the seasonal specials on rotation?" (The only time I'll ever actively want it to be March in Boston.) We concluded our meal with the chocolate goat cheesecake, which wasn't my cup of tea... but if you like goat cheese, you will LOVE this dessert! The taste of goat cheese is so strong I could only take a few bites, but like I said: if you like it, you'll love it! The service was friendly, the restaurant was clean (love the chalk blackboard with the specials written on it hanging along the length of the wall), and street parking is free. All in all, a very good place for a lunch or casual dinner date.
(4)Andrea S.
Excellent, fresh and healthy pizza and salads. The person who took my order was really friendly (and checked on some dietary questions I had) and the service was equally great when we went to pick up our food. One pizza and a salad is a nice light dinner for two people! We'll be back for sure.
(4)Caitlin O.
Their Mac and Cheese pizza is amazing. The cheese sauce is extremely tasty and the crust is good too. They have good drinks as well and an outdoor patio and the staff is very friendly.
(5)Chris M.
Awesome, unique and well crafted pizza and salads. Wife and I have been going here for years and it never disappoints. Staff is always friendly and sometimes you do have to wait a little longer then you normally would for pizza but its definitely worth it!
(4)Katie O.
We built our own pizza, but let me tell you: order anything here, and you can't go wrong. Pizza: They make their own sausage and bread & butter jalapeños. Also, when they say roasted garlic? They mean ENTIRE CLOVES OF ROASTED GARLIC. Yum!!! They have incredible toppings and the crust is perfect. We also ordered the Caesar salad, which is perfectly tossed and the salad-to-dressing ratio is just right. For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Goat Cheesecake. Lordy!!! There was a beautiful zing to the chocolate cheesecake (because of the goat cheese) and the whipped cream was hand whipped right there in the kitchen. Everything here is from scratch and just...SO TASTY. Service: Incredible. Faviola was our waitress and she had the best attitude. Love her, and you will too.
(5)Michelle M.
The specials offer innovative pizza topping combinations. The ingredients are fresh, local, and delicious. We often pick up from here when we have company and are not disappointed. This is a great pick when you're in the mood for "fancy pizza".
(4)Zoe P.
Lazy AND pretentious. I've been called both, so I should know. But NEVER in regards to pizza. Also, I lived nearby for a few years. Audra, taking a historical perspective, has the salads pegged: molded and premade, dated in concept, and not-so-fresh in point of fact. Jake, who is doing more of a class analysis, captures the essential nastiness of the pizza itself: gummy and gimmicky and chronically undercooked. It looks cute from the sidewalk, and the open windows are nice. It's certainly not the worst pizza in Arlington, but it may be the most expensive bad pizza I've ever had.
(1)Desiree D.
Great Salads and great fresh pizza toppings, would have given it 4 stars but thought the crust was not great, good but not great. Service was very good, bit loud inside but that may have been because we had 2 people next to us who were obnoxiously loud! I would give it another go and you should too!
(3)Emily A.
Yummy pizza and salads. Friendly staff every time I've been there. And family-friendly. Booths available which are perfect for us. If you're in the mood for fresh pizza and are a Flatbread Pizza fan, you'll like this. Small, simple restaurant style-wise, but the ingredients and flavor speak for themselves. Most recently got the zucchini pizza, a regular cheese pizza and the beet salad. Liked the beet salad more than the arugula/ watermelon salad but both refreshing.
(5)Audra Jamai W.
This place is terribly mediocre. It manifests some of the worst aspects of 90's food culture. It tastes as bad as Jennifer Anniston's first season "Rachel" haircut on Friends. Having lived down the block for almost 6 months I decided to check it out. After reviewing the menu online I was prepared to have this place be a new go-to spot. I ordered the beet salad. When it arrived I was shocked to find that it was a molded salad. That's when I knew this place was based on an out dated 90's concept that is as lame as it's name. The salad was definitely assembled ahead of time. I could tell because the beets stained all of the other ingredients. I suspect the beets used weren't fresh because they were cloyingly sweet. Overall it was a bad look. I ate all of the beet salad because I was starving and I'm not in the habit of wasting food. When the pizza arrived it was clear that the kitchen was in he habit of using pre-prepared ingredients and not cooking from fresh. The chicken on my pizza looked and tasted like the ready-made grilled chicken that can be picked up at the grocery store. The ingredient ratio was all wrong and the topping to crust proportion was disastrously unstable. I'm a military service member. I've deployed to Iraq. This is mentioned only to reveal my baseline. I've had more enjoyable meals while on deployment and while in the field.
(2)Claire G.
Za definitely has some pros and cons. Pros: awesome pizza. My go to is the Old School Potato pizza. It's really rich and tastes amazing. I've also tried the seasonal pizzas as well, the one with apple butter as a base is pretty good. Cons: Do not order the salad if you're looking for a "real" salad!! My mom ordered the sweet potato salad and it basically just sweet potatoes molded into the shape of a can. It was pretty bland and was not a salad whatsoever. Secondly, even when the restaurant isn't crowded (I only go during off hours), the service is pretty slow and mediocre. Overall, I would definitely recommend the pizza if you're looking for some great flavors. But do not go during prime hours and do not expect to get a leafy green salad.
(4)Will S.
Delicious specialty pizza. This place is usually crowded so I figured it's easier to order takeouts. They don't deliver. Quality of the pizza is good. Fresh ingredients. Chicken on pizza is flavorful. Caramelized onion is tender. Not too much sauce on the pizza. Tried the salad, portion too small in my opinion.
(5)Len G.
Very original and refreshing food. If you're looking for something different this is a great place to go. I've been going there for lunch and most things I've tried, even the ones that don't sound good, such as strawberries on a pizza, I find that I do enjoy them. I have to say that I think the ingredients they use are very fresh and that make a big difference in the taste. The portion size is not that large so if you order just a salad you maybe left hungry. Ideally go with someone for lunch order a pizza and a salad and split it.
(4)Damien S.
"I wanted to like this place..." = kinda clichéd. So, let's go rogue on this bad boy. I wanted to dislike this place. The rotating menu of specialty pizzas includes a fig and goat cheese wonder that had Kara G panting to visit, only to have left the building well before we arrived. Same goes for all arugula, which made the Aruguloni pizza (mozzarella and pepperoni topped with and arugula salad dressed with citrus vinaigrette - straight from the chalkboard) little more than an acidic roni pie. So, inventory is an issue, even on a slow Sunday night. For what's left, nothing jumps out as overly creative or initially appealing. Then you've gotta consider the base "sauce" for most pies: a potato and sweet onion puree in lieu of the usual margherita style slicker. As if this devil bulb-infused lifeblood isn't enough, there are no more than two pizzas on the entire menu that don't include caramelized onions, raw red onions or oniony onions with a pinch of onion on top. Hate onions? Prepare a gritted smile. But then you order the Old School Potato - a Gruyere, thyme, bacon and spud 'za on a crisp and buttery crust, masterfully executed at a crazy reasonable $10 - and all preconceptions about a boring menu fly out the window. With the bold flavors, laid back environment and just-as-casual pricing, you can't dislike Za; it's culinarily impossible. Beers and wines poured, your table neighbors will likely be older Arlington residents and you might catch a little Kenny G on their Pandora channel. The namesake dish, though, is worth the trek.
(4)Precia H.
Za is hands-down, my favorite pizza ever. It is the my and the boy's favorite go-to place for lunch. Every time we go in we are seated promptly by our favorite server and given the most gracious service we could ask for. The menu is small. For me, that's a plus. I hate making decisions from massive menus and their's is nice and limited. We aren't picky people, so we always find something delicious. All of the salads are wonderfully fresh and well seasoned, and the pizzas are perfect. The desserts are to die for; especially the goat cheese cheesecake. Normally we will split a salad, pizza, and dessert. This is a perfect amount of food for the two of us, though we don't eat as much as the average 'murrican. tl;dr- Try Za. Unless you are super picky and impossible to please, you will have fun.
(5)Rebecca M.
Za is interesting... I really, really wanted to like it. Its cute and has interesting menu choices (Fig and Goat Cheese? Bing Cherry?) Sadly, it was just sub-par. Za does seem to have a following of older Arlington natives, so I think they will be ok. Its worth checking out. Maybe they will feature a pizza that you will fall in love with. Maybe not...
(3)M C.
Outstanding service, customer service, and creative delish food. Never a disappointment! Great "go to" neighborhood restaurant!
(5)Frank B.
For modern bistro pizza, Za has a good assortment of ingredients and suggestions when you are looking to be inspire. I have had combinations such as, "-Shiitake Mushroom, Sweet Onion, Potato Puree, Gruyere, Parmesan, Scallion and Truffle Oil" that are pleasant. They have great Kalamata Olives. The one dine-in experience on a busy Sunday evening took far longer than I had hoped to get served and fed, despite there being an adequate number of servers. The take-out is usually extremely fast and efficient. I would be willing to try dine-in again, and would have no reservations about to-go orders.
(3)Ana R.
My fella just moved to Arlington and after a bike through his new neighborhood, we stopped at Za for a late dinner. I expected a place that was tremendously obnoxious and pretentious, which is what I equate to that list of never-used two-letter Scrabble words that only assholes know and use as if "of course, 'Za' is a common slang term for pizza". No it isn't, folks. And if you knew someone who said "let's order some za for dinner" you'd probably punch him right in his popped collar. That being said Za is only a little bit pretentious. They have a tiny menu, but it's packed with flavor. Confoundingly, their specials are more expensive than the normal menu. Aren't specials the entrees they want to sell lots of because they have ingredients on hand that they need to use? Whatever. These specials are all locally sourced, farm raised, free range, etc, so they're more expensive. Luckily, the regular menu has lots of delightful things to choose from. We shared the beet salad (sans red onion) which was Gone in 60 Seconds starring Nic Cage. I Love Beets. I love everything about them. I even love The Beets, that band from Bluffington. Our waiter suggested we each get a personal pizza because they're small. They are certainly smaller than a regular pizza but one of Za's pies would be fine to share with someone else when you've already scarfed down a plate of beets. The grilled chicken "za" (Grilled Chicken, Broccoli, Caramelized Onion, Fresh Garlic, Diced Tomato, EVOO and Four Cheeses) was so great. It tasted really fresh, you could decipher all the ingredients in your mouth. It was really yummy and I loved it next day for lunch. On the other hand, the Mac n' Cheese "za" (Elbow Macaroni, Caramelized Onion, Cream Sauce, Four Cheeses and Toasted Bread Crumbs) was very bland to me, though the fella liked it a lot. It lacked something to punch through all that cream and mellow cheese. Something like... BACON! Or I dunno, salt. Pizzas range from $8-$12.50, though when you start making your own combos it can get expensive fast ($1.50-$2 per topping). Our starter salad was $7.50 for a very healthy portion (def for two). The decor is relaxed. Modern without feeling clinical. The waiter was nice without being pushy. And the bathroom was clean. All great points. I will definitely return!
(4)Simon P.
Za is a good neighborhood choice for pizza and a beer. It is small, good if you drag the kids along, and has top notch service. Pizzas are small but tasty, and should serve two unless you really like to pack it in. In all, a good and low-key neighborhood joint that deserves a visit.
(5)Jennifer S.
I picked up pizzas for take out. The pizzas were all delicious you won't be disappointed.
(4)Afsoon L.
Discovered this place about 5 months ago and We eat here at least once a week ! Fresh ingredients , friendly atmosphere and Consistent quality !! Glad we found this place !!
(4)Chann C.
Wow, what an awesome pizza joint!!! Came here with some friends last night and we all had a great time. We ordered a bunch of things and shared it with everyone. We got there around 6:40 and it was packed. The atmosphere was very lively. Our hostess said the wait would be 25-30 minutes, but we got seated in about 15 minutes. To start off, we had their popular crisp iceberg lettuce salad with a creamy buttermilk dressing, the butternut squash salad with a maple vinaigrette and the romaine lettuce salad with white anchovies and a lemon caesar dressing. The iceberg lettuce salad and butternut squash salad were the favorites. The romaine salad was a tad bit too salty for me. Now, it's on to the pizza. Mmmmm, delicious slices of heaven. These were the kinds we ordered: * old school potato - chunks of potato, bits of bacon, gruyere cheese (needed some more salt/bacon) * bosc pear, caramelized onion, walnuts, dried cranberries (interesting and tasty) * portabello mushroom, roasted red pepper, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, goat cheese (the caramelized onions are SO good) * make your own pizza - tomato, mozzarella, sausage, diced pineapples * make your own pizza - tomato, mozzarella, jalapeños, pepperoni, mushroom My personal favorite was the portabello mushroom pizza. I loved the whole roasted garlic and the creamy goat cheese. Everyone seemed to enjoy all the pizza we ordered. We definitely had a lot of leftovers! Some of us also had room for dessert. Oh, I ALWAYS have room for dessert. Oh yes. We got the lemon tart with raspberries, bourbon pecan pie, and caramel/cashew/chocolate pie. They all come with homemade whipped cream. Boy, were they all DELICIOUS! I am such a huge fan of pecan pie and their pie is definitely up there as one of my favorites. I love Za for using farm-fresh ingredients and having unique pizzas. This place strikes me as the kind of place all the locals seem to be at on a Friday/Saturday night. This is not the last you will see of me. Until next time!
(4)Jennifer F.
Terrific local pizza joint with great and interesting pizzas. I had the modified Caesar salad and it was really awesome. I followed it with a 10" chicken, garlic, onion, and Broccoli which was really was amazing. I brought the leftovers home and had them for a snack this evening..so good! The wait staff was amazing and took very good care of me. What I really dug was that it is a local joint...the waitress was chatting up a patron and they were just having a lovely chat. I will definitely be back...
(5)Aaron K.
Great pizza. Any topping you can imagine they have, and they're all fresh. Definitely some farm to table toppings going on here (recently had native wild ramp). While the pizzas only come in a personal size, the ones with toppings are very filling. We never finish a pizza per person. However one never seems to be quite enough for 2 since they are so damn good! We never stray from the pizzas but the salads look awesome! Maybe one day... We did try the goat cheese chocolate cake that was raved about on yelp, none of us really liked the goat cheese flavor. Definitely our favorite gourmet ZA. Tip : Use call ahead seating to avoid waiting too long.
(4)Andrea L.
Solidly and reliably good pizza. Odd and delicious varieties. The place is comfy and usually between 2/3 full and full. The service has always been fine. Prices really aren't bad (from an ex bostonian now in the thrifty world of Portland, OR). A good place for kids or a group - just not too rowdy a group. Not a place I would want to spend hours.. but that's a rarity for me anyway.
(4)Pam C.
Checked this place out with a couple of friends. It's located on a corner next to a street with a lot of very cute little stores - overall a very quaint setting. A friend who lives a few blocks down introduced us to the place - awesome concept with a lot of really cool pizza toppings on rotation. It seems to be frequented by Arlington residents, and has a really nice homey vibe to it. Our eyes practically popped out of our heads when we saw the Mac n Cheese 'za and the potato/mashed potato-bacon 'za. Starch on top of more starch? Yes please. The toppings were very generously piled on, and the end result was heart-stopping, starchy goodness. I felt like I may have developed gluten intolerance when I finished my pizza. Our waitress suggested we each order our own pizza, because they were pretty small pan pizzas. The actual pizzas kind of straddle the line - they're a little too big for one person to eat without feeling a little sick, but they're kind of small for two people to share. The only solution, therefore, is the former. Even if you can't finish it, you're not going to want to share. We got the Mac n Cheese 'za, which was probably the weakest of the three - the mac and cheese had been baked on top of the dough, but instead of getting a delicious cheezy flavour it instead got a little stale and dry; I felt that it wasn't very cheesy and actually a little bland. The bread crumbs were a very nice touch. We also got a potato-bacon-chive pizza, which was fantastic - the potato was very soft and the touch of bacon was mouthwatering. Portabello Mushroom, Roasted Red Pepper, Caramelized Onion 'za was also fantastic - it was topped with goat cheese that gave it a really strong punch. The salads come served in a compact cylinder. Service was great, pizzas were great - would absolutely recommend to anyone in the area. PET PEEVE: It was a dark and stormy night, and we walked into Za and it was... pitch black. Seriously, a few lights would not have hurt. I really can't stand restaurants that aren't lit - I like to see my food when I eat it.
(4)Randolph Z.
The name makes it. Upside: responsible, local-partnered ingredients. Say what you will about local sourcing, it takes chutzpah to employ it. Not sure if they're organic, or how well employees are treated. Pending those, it would get five stars automatically. Other pluses: not terribly expensive for a place with class. Near transit. Only downside: I don't particularly like the location.
(5)Rachel F.
Just go to Flatbread if you want a fresh, local, organic pizza and salad place. Wasn't inedible but I wouldn't spend my money here again.
(2)Lynette S.
Something has changed: me or the food---not sure. I went back more recently and really liked the food, a lot. I got an avocado salad and pizza. Was with a group of 5-6, all food was delicious.
(4)Donna S.
Went to Za yesterday with my husband for date night. Really wanted to try this place for awhile, so glad we did. The food was so fresh and delicious and the service was excellent. Our server was attentive and personable. (wish I had gotten her name). It is a cozy little place and it is very clean. Can't wait to go back. .
(5)Ann Marie F.
I had high hopes for Za because this is the closest "nice" pizza place to our new house, but it was not good and overpriced for the quality. We got a spinach salad from the specials menu ($8.00) and a 10-inch cheese pizza with pickled jalapenos and onions ($11.00). The salad was so small it was comical, smaller than a typical side salad at a restaurant. It tasted fine, but it was seriously 6 bites. The pizza was the correct size, but the crust was very underdone, almost raw, and because it was underdone, it was very soft and doughy all the way through. I know that different pizza places have different style crusts, but it just seemed like it was made wrong or with no regard to quality. I may give them one more chance, but just one, because there are plenty of pizza places in the area with at least comparable quality and better prices.
(2)Sara C.
Delicious pizza, specials are always innovative and tasty, atmosphere is lovely, AND they have amazing desserts. Try the lemon tart, you won't regret it.
(5)Jenn S.
I was meeting a friend for dinner in Arlington and, upon seeing Yelp reviews, we decided to try Za. Looking at the menu ahead of time, both of us could not wait and decided that this might have to be our new meeting place, so we can try all the pizzas! I was able to get a parking spot RIGHT out front, which was great. I had done call ahead, but the place was pretty empty (it was 5:30 on a Monday) and my friend was already at a table. We ended up splitting 2 pizzas, which were 10-inches each. Perfect amount and we both had leftovers for lunch the next day! We went with a chalkboard special pizza, which had mushrooms (we got those on only 1/2, since I don't like them), potato puree, sweet onion and I think Gruyere cheese?? I don't see it on their online menu. It was similar to the Aruguloni (Potato Puree, Sweet Onion, Mozzarella and Pepperoni topped with Arugula, Red Onion, Diced Tomato, Parmesan and Citrus Vinaigrette), but not quite. It was a white pizza, which I never like as much as regular. It was tasty, but rich and not nearly as flavorful as I expected. Our other pizza was a plain pepperoni, which was awesome. It's hard to mess up a plain 'roni - and they didn't. The pieces are VERY small, but that just means you can eat more! The waiter and hostess were very friendly and it's a casual, intimate place. The next day, my friend said she's happy if we make this our go-to place and I agreed! Next time, we might have to try the Aruguloni, which the waiter said was his favorite. Hopefully next time they will have the Fig and Goat Cheese Pizza (the picture on here had us both drooling) or the Gala Apple and Cheddar pizza. YUM.
(4)Tyler A.
How have I not reviewed this place yet? I have come here multiple times with multiple people and everyone agrees...it is excellent! The pizza is awesome, diverse, affordable and filling. The salads are quite good as well and the deserts are fantastic. All and all very affordable. Also, the staff is quite friendly and I have always enjoyed my interactions with them. This establishment is excellent for all occasions be it date night, dinner with friends or family, or even if you want your kids to eat good pizza instead of chuck e cheese. I brought my girlfriend here, and she is a bit of a pizza snob (she is from New Jersey and NYC) and this is one of her favorite spots for pizza...and mine too!
(5)Andy V.
Za (slang for PizZa, get it?) stands alone among all the pizza places in the Boston area. It's not thick crust, Chicago-style, it's not New York, thin crust, it's not Jersey-style, tomato pies. It's not "Boston-style" aka Greek pizza (yuk, too oily, saucy-sweet), it's not "coal or brick or wood or whatever-fired oven". It's Za-style. Now, I am from NYC and I take my pizzas as seriously as I take my bagels and I have yet to find a decent bagel place in New England. So don't try to give me any pizza pretenders. Forgettaboutit! I want something original. Well, Za delivers. The best way to describe Za is "farm-to-table" pizza. Many, but not all the toppings and salad innards come from local farms, usually Verril Farms in Concord. Butternut squash, pumpkin, apple, etc. You'll find them either on a pizza or in a salad. The pizza's themselves have eight slices and is an ample portion for a couple with an eye on living a long and healthy life. The crusts are crispy, and the sauces range from the standard tomato-based, which is quite good and fresh, to the more unusual. What's unique about any of the pizzas is that all the constituent ingredients stand out on the palate individually and collectively. In other words you can taste everything but the flavors come together harmoniously to provide a quite rich sensory experience. They'll be a pizza party in your mouth! Za has a reasonably priced wine list with featured specials and a decent craft-beer selection ( but the sparse selection will leave craft beer aficionados wanting, I am sure). One surprise is that the desserts are quite good, obviously selected and prepared with care. I've sampled the chocolate goat cheesecake and the apple creme brulee recently and both are outstanding. If there is one disappointment, it is with the coffee which is the standard run of the mill drip-carafe sitting around too long arrangement. I wondered about this seemingly lack of interest in brewing a decent cup, given Barismo is not too far down the street and asked the management. Interestingly, the strategy is to use the mediocre coffee as a way to prevent customers from lingering too long after dessert. You'll notice serving sizes are small and you wont be offered a refill (not that you'd want one). So, save for this weird customer rotation strategy, I highly recommend Za's for its fresh, tasty, and unique pizzas, creatively thoughtful desserts, and reasonably priced wine.
(4)Jeff F.
We rolled in here on Friday to get our pizza fix. I'd classify this as the 'go-to" family pizza joint in Arlington. Great atmosphere, solid food if you sticks to the pizzas (not sure the salads and desserts are their strong suit). Here's the rundown on the grub: - both salads we had were average (the burrata special and the avocado, black bean, tomato, etc...). Lourdes Burrata was actually questionable at best. - The pies are what I refer to as "House of Pizza" style pies which both my better half and I like: Tomato & Mozz and Grilled Chicken, Broccoli & Carmelized Onions - enjoyed both of these, but will come back here just for the tomato & Mozz Worth putting in rotation. We'll be back to explore more of the pies. 2nd visit (March-ish 2015 - Beef Bomb and Tomato & Mozz were fantastic. Salads are ridiculous. This is easily my favorite: Local Farm's Butternut Squash, Apple, Red Onion, Smoked Goat Cheese,Parsley with Toasted Walnuts, Pea Greens and Maple Vinaigrette Incredibly kid-friendly which is a huge selling point with a 14 month old.
(4)Andrea B.
Do you like carbs? Silly question. Of course you do. So get yourself over to Za and try their mac n' cheese pizza, a.k.a. carb overload. It won't knock your socks off, but you can't take elbow macaroni, caramelized onions, cream sauce, multiple kinds of cheese, and toasted bread crumbs, and throw them on a pizza without it coming together as a really tasty treat. There's the carb fix you so desperately needed (caution though - your skinny jeans won't thank you). If you're not too full (you won't be, that pizza is pretty small), try the chocolate goat cheesecake. Yum. It's clearly the most popular dessert choice. The only problem is that sometimes they run out of it. Service is super friendly, and in my two experiences here, super fast as well. Add the fact that they're just a short walk down the street from where I live, and it's pretty much guaranteed that I will be back for more carb-filled pizza goodness.
(4)Lara W.
Za beckons you in from the street. Like, you want her to go on, to explain...to finish her name (only one syllable? two letters? Such a tease!) and let you in through the magic curtains already. I decided to go for it when I read that they had a special Gala apple pizza with apple butter, cheddar cheese, sweet onions, sage and toasted pumpkin seeds/pepitas. The apple butter made the cross a little soggier than I was hoping for but it was a pleasant adventure. The dessert list, with a goat cheese chocolate cake, really intrigued me but I didn't go there. Not on the first date. Four stars not necessarily for the pizza but for the potential: a bit of creativity is much appreciated.
(4)Missy M.
Za has pizza, salad, desert, and wine. There's really NOTHING else on their menu, not even regular Italian appetizers, but the pizza is very good. The toppings are unusual but it's not that barely recognizable flat-bread super pretentious crap that I hate so much. Just good pizza with cool shit on it.
(4)Lillian P.
I went here about half a year ago and it was pretty good. I sadly didn't get to eat in but had ordered the beet salad and a mushroom pizza. The pizza for me wasn't anything to amazing. Being from New York I tend to like a NY style more which wasn't anything like Za's. The toppings were pretty taste just didn't enjoy the crust to much. The beet salad I loved it was very creamy and must have been tons of calories. If I ever go back to Boston I will def. get the beets again but as a meal in itsef.
(4)Abhishek J.
The place is ok. Good environment, but it is often empty. It's a simple bar.
(3)Kerry T.
The food was great. I especially loved the avocado salad and the Shiitake Mushroom, Sweet Onion, Potato Puree, Gruyere, Parmesan, Scallion and Truffle Oil pizza. I also enjoyed the macaroni pizza. We were seated quickly and had good service.
(5)Vivian C.
Menu's the same for lunch as for dinner, but this spot is open for lunch daily which is more than you can say for many a restaurant. The chalkboard specials sounded absolutely amazing, so that's where we made our selections. * Kimball Farm's Tomatoes & Basil, Lourdes' Burratine, Reduced Balsamic & EVOO $8.00 Burratine? Sounds similar to burrata... could it be the same thing in a different size, like how there are different names for fresh mozzarella of different shapes or sizes? Our server described it as mozzarella on the outside and marscapone on the inside. Yes! It was creamy thick marscapone center with a familiar tender mozz exterior, plus fresh mini juicy heirloom tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil... I was happy. Great start! Okay, pizza time! * Kimball Farm's Corn, Potato Puree, Smoked Bacon, Sweet Onions, Mozz, Thyme, Scallions $11.50 * Figs, Gorgonzola, Caramelized Onions, Fresh Garlic, White Truffle Oil and Parsley $11.00 The pizzas came out hot and crispy thin crusts with plenty of toppings. The crusts were not just crispy on the edges, but even below the toppings where things usually get a bit soft. * Ginger + Verrill Farm's Blueberry Creme Brulee w/Fresh Whipped Cream $6 The creme brulee was a great portion; much deeper than other more expensive & more shallow ones I've eaten before. The bruleed top is where I sensed the ginger, while a nice pool of blueberry sauce hung out at the bottom of the dish. The creme brulee was nice and light. A touch eggier than normal, which is probably why it reminded my friend of a Chinese egg dessert (dun dan), but still tasty. We had great service here; she even checked on the level of my hot water!
(4)James H.
Went here tonight for the first time. I've taken note of some recent really bad reviews and have to say they seem a bit harsh given my experience. Service (Aaron) was top notch. The place is casual and comfortable with some tableside window views of Mass Ave. Only tried one salad, which was fine, so no complaints there. The ONLY thing that would give me pause about a return is the pizza crust--I like it crispy and this was too underdone and doughy for me. Love Cambridge One pizza, for example, if y'all know that place in Harvard Sq. Want to like you bad Za, so cook the pizza a bit more!
(3)Helen V.
Good pan pizzas and service! We got the fig and gorgonzola pizza, and another with potatoes and corn. The waitress brought out both pizzas, but one was missing corn. It probably is a common mistake because two of the pizzas on the menu with potatoes differed only by a couple ingredients. We didn't say anything to the server, but the manager stops by near the end of our meal and apologizes for their mistake. He goes on to tell us that the correct pizza is on its way out to our table. At that point, we could not eat a third pizza between the two of us. So, Jeff had it wrapped up and ready to go at the end our meal. I really appreciate that! At another point, I saw a table of girls celebrating birthdays and Jeff handed them a couple of desserts on the house and wished them happy birthday! The pizza itself is good; I do like the crust here better than most places in MA. The pan crust has a nice light crunch with a little soft buttery bread taste. Great stuff. I liked the combinations for the special pizzas, but I don't think I would come here ordering the simple tomato, mozzarella, and basil. If I was craving the simple stuff, I would probably just make it myself..., but that's a different standard. Come here, you'll be taken care of. I like Jeff and their pizzas!
(4)Sarah G.
I had been dreaming of this mac and cheese pizza for quite some time........I mean come on. If you like carbs and cheese, you already love pizza, so why not bring it to that next level and throw more carbs and cheese on top of carbs and cheese by having a mac and cheese pizza!!!! And I finally got a chance to try their pizza and I was definitely not disappointed. The mac and cheese on top was even browned a little from the oven!!! And little toasted breadcrumbs with that cream sauce and four types of cheese and the bites that had the caramelized onions in them just sent me overboard!! And hooray for a place that had pretty awesome crust too! We also got their pizza that was topped with sweet potato, bacon, more of that tasty caramelized onions, scallions, and tons of hot peppers and of course MORE CHEESE! ha ha Yes, I do love cheese. But I truly enjoy anything that goes well with cheese too and both of these pizzas were pretty awesome in my book. Their salads were a little on the small side, and the avocado salad really is a salad of avocado--just an fyi there! When we opened up our take out from Za we thought they had forgotten to give us spinach or lettuce! But turns out it literally is a salad of avocado which is good for me! (but I still added in some spinach leaves from home, otherwise it would have been a little like eating guacamole raw which I normally am down for, but only if I am eating Mexican and not pizza ha)
(4)Tracy V.
Delicious! Everything is so fresh and the food scrumptious! I just wish this place was bigger because it is always packed and it gets a bit tight in the restaurant.
(4)Stephanie G.
OUTSTANDING PIZZA OUTSTANDING SERVICE!!!! This is the best pizza I've ever had. They make delicious amazing specialty pizzas and also make custom pizzas with whatever your heart desires on it. The prices are very reasonable and the coffee, hot or cold, is delicious. I can't say enough good things about this place except that you must try it. My favorite is the mac n cheese pizza. The servers and hostesses are very kind and very helpful. Despite them all being younger than your average server they do an outstanding job. They know exactly what they are doing. One thing that could be improved is that while they advertise as pizza and salads their salads are very very small and are never a dinner size and are really pre-pizza. They also need a much wider selection of salads. So to clarify there really isn't anything here for members of your party that don't like pizza. Be wary this place gets very busy Friday and Saturday nights. GO TO THIS PLACE!
(5)Wendy C.
Delicious and unique pizza. In the fall/winter time, they had this pizza with pumpkin seeds. The most delicious topping I've ever had on pizza. Need it again NOW. There is also a fig and gorgonzola pizza during the Spring (?) season that I enjoyed here. The tall skinny man is very hospitable.
(4)Lauren P.
I love this place. I used to live just up the street, and it was a go-to dinner venue. The pricing is pretty good, and the portions are excellent. My sister, bro-in-law, and I used to go pretty often -- now I love introducing new people to Za who do not often head out into Arlington. (Haven't been to the new location in Kendall; I'd rather stick to the original.) My favorite starter is the beet + goat cheese salad, which is always perfect. Keep in mind, it's mostly beet--it's not one of those arugula salads with beets thrown in. No. It is chopped beets + mandarin oranges + goat cheese shaped into a little tower on your plate. Amazing. Every pizza is delicious, and you can request your own combinations. I've probably tried close to every pizza they offer, but my favorite is still the caramelized onion + fig + goat cheese they offer seasonally. All ingredients are local. (The family also owns EVOO, which is more of a fine-dining establishment.) Za in Arlington is family friendly. The wait is not usually too long. They don't serve liquor, but they have some good wine/beer offerings. The owner is friendly, as is the wait-staff. I definitely suggest this place for a casual date or if you're getting a bite to eat with a few friends.
(5)Dorise G.
Best pizza I've had in Boston. Potentially the most unique pizza I've had anywhere. Have you ever had a strawberry, goat cheese, toasted walnut, and caramelized onion pizza before? I didn't think so. Come to Za and this sad situation will be rectified. Seriously, whoever thought to bake strawberries into pizza was an effing genius. No surprise I loved this place so much, since EVOO, their sister restaurant, is also one of my faves. Za, like EVOO, also features local ingredients and an ever-changing seasonal pizza menu. Service went really quickly at peak dinner time on a Saturday night. Also, cuz I notice these sort of things - if you get a bevvy they're there w/a refill when you still have 1/3 of your glass left. They don't charge you for the refills, even of the good stuff. Pretty nice :)
(5)Sean M.
Hands down, worst restaurant pretending to be a great restaurant in Mass. The service was garbage: the waitress first couldn't remember the drinks, which started off my night in a bad way (i'm certainly not a snob). She did not check in with us at all. She did not fill our waters. She was aloof the entire evening. No, it was not a busy night either so there was no excuse. She also forgot two of the entree salads that we ordered. As for the food: garbage. Do yourself a favor and just go get some frozen pizza or Dominos for much less money, honestly, it will probably be better. The pizza at Za was pretending to be creative, but was horrible in proportions, pretty awkward in terms of ingredients (relish? on a Chorizo pizza?), not to mention cold. They also told us that they would reimburse parking? Nope. Oh, and the salads didn't make sense and were also garbage.
(1)Megan L.
Awwwwwwwwwwww yeah. We got takeout from Za on a whim and boy were we happy. I got the sweet potato pizza with bacon, scallions and carmelized onions, and OMG, was it good. Crispy and salty and slightly sweet...heaven. The hub got sausage and roasted garlic. More of a traditional pizza and I have to say that I really enjoyed the sauce. Even though it was just takeout, it was really well done, and we will definitely be going in to sit down sometime soon. I'm eyeing the mac & cheese pizza. So, Za, I'm impressed. We'll meet again.
(5)Heather P.
My friends and I dined there this past Sunday, two in our party had a bacon pizza, both , one of which is an elderly gentleman, got severe cramps and diarrhea . The manager we spoke to was impersonal and asked, after simply stating symptoms, asked, "did you eat the salad?" . Of course at this point the rabbits of the group were a bit concerned. The manager was then informed it was the guests dining on the bacon pizza. Response was generic, "we'll check our product suppliers and call you back" Day two, no phone call back. Conclusion that may be drawn from uninformed guests, according to the manager, would be if you dine here...do not eat salad or have it touch your bacon pizza. really??? Za...get yourself new management.
(2)Louise M.
We were really hungry that day when we ate at Za. Just got into town and wanting lobster roll. With no car and no directions in Arlington, MA, we didn't know where to go. Since we were famished, we started walking down Massachusetts Ave, and found a diner, a Chinese restaurant, and Za. My brother in law, who had been staying in town for 3 weeks, told me and my sister, that Za was great. But since we weren't hungry for pizza, we weren't excited about going there. However, after mulling over our choices of restaurants that were walking distance, Za was it. It said on their name "Pizza and Salads." They weren't kidding. They served pizza and salads. It was a small menu with assorted selections of gourmet type toppings for pizza, and several salads. They had a big black board with their specials as well that seemed to be interesting. But we only ordered a 10 inch pizza. I thought it tasted ok - I loved that I opted for garlic on the pizza, along with sausage and mushroom. The garlic was a great addition. My sister thought the crust and the feel of the pizza was like a frozen kind. I didn't mind it, especially since it helped satisfy our hunger. The service was pleasant and price was very affordable. It was A-OK.
(3)Jason J.
#NAME?
(4)Shannon M.
I have only been here once, but I have been meaning to go back because I loved it! Even though there was a long wait for a table, we noticed the manager going around to people offering to get them something to drink while they waited. VERY thoughtful. I have only seen this at a couple other places, and while it is a small gesture, it makes a BIG impression. We started with an avocado salad that was really delicious. It had black beans, tomato, red onion, jalapeno, cheese, cilantro, lime vinaigrette, topped with sour cream. The portion is tiny, so while it is a perfect appetizer, probably not enough for a meal. For the pizza, you can order one of their specialty pizzas or create your own. We decided to create our own and ordered a tomato and mozzarella pizza topped with homemade sausage, red pepper, and kalmatta olives. My mouth is starting to salivate just thinking about it...
(4)Meghan B.
Delicious pizza! I had the chicken and broccoli one and was intrigued by all the specials. I will definitely be back. I knocked it down one star as our service was very slow for lunch and there were only 4 tables. It took us over an 1 hr and a 1/2 to finish up.
(4)Tasha L.
Za is still my favorite pizza and the only worthwhile reason to visit Arlington..
(5)Jean B.
I've been to Za a few times and I really enjoy it. If you're sick of the same old pizza joints and want to try something a little more up-scale, give Za a try. They do have a rather limited menu, but often, the best restaurants do. Do a few things and do them well, right? I really enjoy the Portabello Mushroom, Roasted Red Pepper, Caramelized Onion, Roasted Garlic, Mozzarella Cheese and Goat Cheese Specialty Pizza. What a great flavor combination. I don't know what it is with the Mac n cheese pizza trend, I'm not a big fan myself, but Za's interpretation of the Mac n cheese pizza is a cut above the rest. Conveniently located on Mass Ave in East Arlington, Za is a refreshing addition to the pizza landscape of the area. They also specialize in Organic and locally grown ingredients, so if you're like me and care to know about the origins of the food you're eating, this place fits the bill. Their pricing is reasonable for what you're getting, in fact, I think they're about the same price as comparably sized pizzas at Domino's (for example). Can you believe that? Domino's... I'd take Za over Domino's any day of the week. So there you have it. Give Za a try!
(4)Jude M.
Been A few times, better options locally. Crust is terrible, trendy ingredients for the yup/hip crowd. Waitstaff is a constant turnover. Won't be back, I can make much better myself at home...
(2)Linda A.
Loved this place! I had the beet salad -- my current passion -- and this one is better than most I've had. Split the fig pizza which was so yummy. There is call ahead which we took advantage of since I had heard that it gets crowded especially on weekends, however, we sat right down when we got there. Will definitely go back!!
(5)jaimie w.
I was a tiny bit weary when I walked into Za because it was packed full of patrons. I am intolerant of awkward standing and watching people eat, willing them to finish and pay so I can take their place. Za doesn't have a bar, so it was an awkward wait. Mental note: go in the summer when it's better to stand outside. But the pizza is pretty friggin' good. The mac 'n' cheese pizza was outta sight. It's literally mac 'n' cheese on pizza and super filling. Truly the pizzas are the reason to go. The bar is(was) limited to beer and wine only. The appetizers and salads were pretty common. But who needs those when the pizza is delicious.
(5)Charlotte G.
Fresh, comfortable and really tasty! Great for casual dinner with friends or visiting family... Nice place to hang out and chat. I recommend the chalk board specials - they are all made with local, seasonal ingredients. They are what make the place special. So yummy!
(4)John S.
East Arlington has changed a ton in the last years, all for the better. We found Za on Yelp and gave it a try before a movie at the Capital Theater. Yes, Pizza and Salad but so many interesting choices for both. We tried the special salad of roasted butternut squash, apples, goat cheese and walnuts. OK, we wondered how do you serve a squash salad. It came out as a terrine about 4" tall. It was fantastic and plenty for us. (Shared by 2) We then split a 10" pizza of chorizo and peppers which was excellent and plenty of food for 2 following the salad. All fresh ingredients. Excellent service and definitely a return visit is in the plans.
(4)Heather R.
Went to Za with a friend for drinks and salad. We had been there before several times and loved it. Drinks came without issue, and we ordered salads. I ordered the butternut squash salad, which came with fresh arugula on top. As I picked up my fork to dig in, a multi-legged bug crawled out to greet me. Not wanting to make a scene, I flagged down a waiter and showed him the bug. His first question: "Did it fly in through the window?" Now while the window was open, this bug did not have wings. "No," I replied. They took the salad away. Later, when the bill came (I was not charged for the salad), the waiter says, "Hey, that's what happens when you eat local." Hey...what?! I mean, I get it--bugs are from the earth and so is arugula. If this had happened in my home kitchen, my mistake. But you're a restaurant, wash your "local" food better. And if you make a mistake, it wouldn't kill you to apologize. The complete lack of reaction or remorse makes me think this isn't the first time someone's found a surprise friend in their food.
(1)Paul L.
Pizza is good but not great. The beer selection is good.
(3)Anne W.
If you've ever been to Urbana-Champaign, you'd know that Za's serves mediocre salads, pizzas, and paninis. So you can imagine my hesitation when I come here and find a place that serves similar things. They are not apart of the same chain of places... this place is much more delicious. Stopped by here for a quick lunch and was told that they make things on the menu targeted towards what the local farmers grow. Sounds good... we both got pizzas.. I got this lamb pizza and it was really good. My friend just got a cheese pizza and was also pleasantly surprised. Not cheap.. but decently priced. And yes, they have alcohol!
(4)Stacy M.
The whiny little girl within me always mutters "but it's Arlington- why is it so busy!? every time I expect to waltz in on a random Friday or Saturday night. Like Arlington ain't worth a great, busy restaurant. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Order a couple of their salads. The wedge salad (iceberg, bacon, tomatoes, etc.) is always a good choice. Personally, I'm a fan of their avocado, black bean, tomato, red onion one. It's served in a neat little stack and has a nice balance of flavors and textures. 2. Split a "make your own" pizza. Sure, it's a little intimidating to put your own together, but all the ingredients are top-notch and whomever is behind the oven knows how to balance out the proportions so you get maximum yum. 3. If you're in a hurry, don't go on a Friday or Saturday night. They do get busy and you end up having to share a bench with a really pouty 30 something, loudly smacking her lips. *sigh* How embarrassing!
(4)Liz D.
I've only been here twice but it is so good. Some nights there is a wait but it's worth it. My favorite pizzas are the mac and cheese, and the regular tomato and mozzarella with bread and butter jalapeños (so addictive!). They also have a small but rotating and unique beer selection. Service is efficient and friendly. Give it a try!
(4)Danielle M.
Being from the South Shore, and the the South Shore having the best places for bar pizza hands down, Za does a pretty great job at pulling at my heart strings. It's not just any bar pizza either, it's upscale and they use local and fresh ingredients. I've ordered take out on numerous occasions and dined in once. It is a pretty small and cramped eatery. But if you can get over any claustrophobia you may have, I would definitely dine in. They have many different "exotic" pizza's however I always turn to the mac and cheese or just plain cheese. You can't go wrong with either. They have chalkboard specials that are forever changing. Their salads are on the different end. Don't expect your typical iceberg salad here. I ordered the haas avocado salad, very unusual presentation, but yummy none the less. I live within the area of this restaurant so parking is never an issue for me, however since it is on Mass Ave. people who drive here might find parking a bit difficult. My only really gripe with this establishment is I order from here quite frequently (at least once a week) and they seem to "misplace" my order half the time. They always ask if I ordered from the Za in Arlington (since there are two locations) and I always reply yes and show them the call I made to them 20 minutes prior (I live 2 minutes away why would I call Kendall Square location for take out?) I've received a few pizza's on the house because of this and they are extremely apologetic, which in this day in age is very comforting and goes along way in my book! Great customer service!!
(4)JD H.
Just went here for the second time. I want to add a star. The pizza was so fresh and potato salad was so invigorating and beautiful.
(5)T K.
As close as to CT pizza you will ever get. Excellent! Tangy sauce, buttery crust, fresh cheese... Thank You!
(5)Andrea G.
OK... Let me tell you... if you're looking for two things and two things only you've came to the right spot! Gourmet jacked up Mama Celeste Pizza & Salad... that is all they serve. BUT they do it WELL! I would not write home about the pizza dough itself, but the toppings are so far out and at times crazy, that I simply cant resist giving them 5 stars. I have never gone there and had a even slightly bad experience. The nightly salad and pizza specials always blow me away! The beat salad can't be beat! I have strayed and tried a few of the specials but I always go back to my good ole faithful! Most of the ingredients comes from local farmers and the place really promotes a sense of community. The servers are all pretty well versed and seem to all share an earthy welcoming vibe, which is cool with me! Around 6pm on any weekday night the place usually has a line out the door so if you don't like waiting outside during the winter (seating is a little crowded inside) then I suggest going a little later!
(5)Big M.
I was skeptical at first because I didn't know how they could only serve pizza and salad, but Holy Hell was the pizza amazing..
(4)Talin B.
Great food and service....too bad the waitress that served us is leaving for few months to South America.
(5)William B.
This is a great place and one I'm planning on going back to. In a nutshell it's a "gourmet" take on the stereotypical pizza that we all know and love. The menu is varied and fun... (first time I've seen butternut squash, leeks, and caramelized onions all on the same pizza), and it all works. The place serves soda and has a very impressive wine list at the same time interestingly enough; while we were there we were surrounded on one side by a hockey dad and his 3 young lads, and on the other we had a power businessman type sipping his wine glass (with the uber pretentious "hand palming" glass hold you should really only see in movies to boot). Pizza is universal though and that's probably why you get such a mishmash in a place like this. Anyways the place wasn't too pricey and the food was good and tasty... recommended!
(5)Roni T.
Solid portions at a good price. Had the mushroom and mac and cheese pizza s....which were both good. Nice friendly wait staff, though the waiter we had seemed a little overwhelmed by the amount of business. Clean decor inside.
(4)nomo c.
Ingredients are fresh - tried the chicken broccoli special pizza and a salad. We waited for about half an hour for our table but for whatever reason, patrons kept turning to stare at us, making me feel very uncomfortable. OH Well! The staff was great and the food was great, so it turned out to be a good night.
(4)M S.
Pretty good pizza, but the slices are too small. Feels like you're eating a kids pizza. Also, the flavor was a bit plain. It lacked spice, no herbs etc.
(3)Jenny N.
Yelp comes through again! I was searching for a dinner spot in between Waltham and Somerville to meet up with a friend and thanks to all the wonderful reviews, I picked Za's. I'd never heard of it previously, but I'm glad we tried it out as the gourmet pizzas are yummy in the tummy! It's great that Za's does not make your typical Italian-style pie with loads of red sauce and melty mozzarella. While there is a time and place for those beloved greasy slices, these particular pies are crafted with inventive topping combos that may include truffle oil, roast duck, caramelized peaches, and/or maple bacon. Is your mouth watering yet? I also love that they use local farm produce. My fig and gorgonzola pie was tasty as could be and perfectly portioned for a single person. The crust was a not-too-thick and not-too-thin conveyance for the delectable, fresh toppings. I actually only ate half and took the rest home so I could save room for dessert. Admittedly, the ginger blueberry creme brulee was better in concept than in execution (more like a very dense custard and lacking the characteristic crackly crust). The dining room is cozy and inviting but beware that it fills up quickly after 7 p.m. Ample street parking is a bonus though.
(4)Me Iz S.
I'm not sure why I haven't yelped about Za before, given that I ate here frequently! Oh well. The Chalkboard specials are what drew me in! The choices - very original. You would too...Portabella Mushroom Pizza! Yum. Ambience - 5 * Service - 5*, sometimes 4.5* Cleanliness - 5* Food - 5x5* Price - affordable. Seriously, even a student could go there once every 10 days :O) Recommend - YES!
(4)Meredith P.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope all of you are sharing the love in some gourmet-rific way tonight! Matt (my husband) and I have our own tradition for this, the 14th of February. We try and avoid the craziness that surrounds this day with some takeout from a very special pizza joint near us. Pizza and our DVR...does it really get any better than that? This special pizza joint I speak of is called Za and it's located on Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington, MA. My favorite part of this restaurant's concept is that many of their ingredients are locally sourced and the menu rotates based on what's growing in the area. They even serve locally brewed beer, along with some wines. We frequent this establishment quite often but we've made it a special tradition to get takeout on Valentine's Day. The menu consists of salads and pizzas, both interesting and unique combinations. Their trademark chalkboard depicts the seasonal specials up on the wall, and we usually choose from those, rather than the regular varieties available on the everyday menu. While the pizzas are on the small side, we've found that getting one salad and one pizza works well for a two-person meal. On special occasions, like today, we usually add a dessert or two as well. Tonight, we opted for the Crisp Iceberg Lettuce salad with tomatoes, red onions, grated carrots, Applewood Smoked Bacon, and blue cheese. It's all topped off with a Creamy Buttermilk Dressing. As our main course, we chose one of the special pizzas, per usual. Pears, gorgonzola, fontina, toasted walnuts, cranberries, thyme and scallions top this yummy 'Za! They had some really interesting special desserts on the menu so we decided to try one each - and try each other's! :) I decided on the Lemon Tart with Organic Strawberries, and Matt opted for the Chocolate Goat Cheesecake. The salad is from the regular menu, and we order it all the time. I'm not sure how they do it, but they've managed to get the dressing to drip in-between each layer of iceberg lettuce, making each bite totally delicious. The pizza was piled high with nice big pieces of crisp pear, and I thought the dried cranberries were really a lovely touch. The flavors meld so well together in all of their combinations. Dessert was yummy, and mine was quite colorful! I found that the tartness of the lemon went really well with the light, fluffiness of a slight bite of whipped cream. Yummy! We washed all this down with a lovely bottle of white wine. It was a very enjoyable dinner, and everything is packaged nicely for take-out. I find the restaurant itself endearing as well. The owner has an adorable collection of different pigs on all the shelves in the restaurant: piggy banks, pig statues, pig collectibles, you name it. The walls are adorned with local artwork that's also for sale and rotates on a regular basis. It will always be a different scene when you walk in! The staff is super-friendly and welcoming, and the surroundings are cozy in the winter, airy in the summer. I love when they open all the windows! If you haven't visited Za, I highly recommend it. They can be found at 138 Massachusetts Avenue. They don't take reservations, but I do think they'll take a call-ahead on busy evenings.
(4)Josh And Dawn A.
In Boston area for a business trip, staying just down the street from Za. After checking my trusty Yelp app and asking the front desk dude, a few of us headed off for Za. Area seems a little run down, but Za is nicely presented, and small and cozy. Of course had the pizza: I ordered normal tomato and mozzarella with pepperoni and homemade sausage, which the waiter described as a "mild sausage". (he was right). Crispy crust, tasty ingredients, made for a good pizza. I wouldn't put this in my top 5 pizzas or anything, but I definitely liked it. Pepperoni could have been a little better, it seems like not much more than Dominos pepperoni. The homemade sausage was more than good, but not as good as I was hoping. Had a slice of the chicken, broccoli, garlic, caramelized onions, specialty pizza, which one of my companions ordered. It was also quite good. I love garlic, so the more the better. This wasn't as good as I was hoping either. Being from Chicago and loving my hometown pizza, I know I'm being a little picky. If I could give 3.5 stars I would, but the excellent service and the ambiance pushes it up to a 4.
(4)Robert M.
Went for the first time. We ordered the Mac and cheese pizza and a pepperoni and sausage pizza. Both were really good. Our server was really nice as was the hostess. We'll be back for sure.
(4)Stephanie S.
The pizzas get 5 stars. The salads and desserts (from my sampling) get deducted a star. We arrived on a busy night and had a 20 minute wait, got started with some beers while we waited. The salads are a little funky. They're formed into these little towers. Eh. Not my style really but sure, they're trying to be different. We got the butternut squash one. Lots of stringy squash and wished there was more goat cheese. I live for goat cheese and that's kind of why I ordered it. Pizzas were good. Would definitely order the chorizo with the mustard creme again. The waiter said it tasted like a cuban and certainly did. Also got the Mac & Cheese and while it was novel it was a touch greasy and heavy and really was to be expected. Got dessert but didn't need to... when the pecan pie came out cold it confirmed that it wasn't worth it. We should have requested it be nuked. Oh well. Maybe the other desserts were better. Salad, 2 pizzas and a dessert was quite a meal. We took home more than a whole pizza as leftovers. So a single pizza and a healthy dose of beer is meal enough for 2 hungry people.
(4)K N.
never disappointed after having Za! Za brings pizza to a whole different level then what anyone is used to. mac and cheese pizza is delic and their seasonal fig pizza is a special treat! I love all their salads as well. they have a great beer and wine menu that they are constantly updating. and kudos to them for supporting the local farmers!
(5)Irene R.
Waiter was very attentive, constantly filling my water glass (which was good because I was thirsty). Hubby and I split a 10" pizza and found it to be plenty. They have some great pizza combos and some great looking salads. Food came promptly and was delicious. I do wish there were some more salad options, every salad had something that was taboo during pregnancy. With tax and tip we spent $16. I wish they had parking.
(4)Geo O.
This is a good example of a restaurant that has steadily improved and now is one of our regular spots. They have always had a great space and atmosphere, though occasionally a little loud. They are now very very close to a 5-star with me, a couple more visits will tell. Service: This has always been a tough spot, but they are much improved. I don't expect perfection from anyone, but I do expect everyone to make good on their mistakes. They will still occasionally mess up orders (particularly on busy nights), but they will also make good. They lost my call in order one time recently and the manager gave me half off my meal and a gift card for waiting. Food: Let's be clear -- If you came here looking for Domino's or Papa Gino's, you came to the wrong place. The pizzas at Za's are all individual-sized, with a thin-ish crust, good amount of sauce and cheese and ample toppings. They are usually cooked more towards the well-done side (some slight blackening on topping and edges), but never dry. The toppings are what really make Za's stand out -- all locally sourced, with interesting combinations and flavors. The zuchini and red pepper pizza they have during the summers is excellent. My standby favorite is a simple green pepper, onion and chorizo. Salads are not the "big bowl of lettuce" salads that are the standard fare around Arlington, they are generally small portions of interesting combinations of produce. Perhaps not for everyone, but I am a big fan. Desserts are also excellent, particularly the bourbon pecan pie with fresh whipped cream and a sprig of mint. Prices: The prices are a little high, but the food is substantially better than most of the other pizza places in town, in my mind it's worth the stretch. Overall, Za's is one of my favorite places in Arlington. I highly suggest it!
(4)Kelly A.
I went back to Za tonight, after a year+ hiatus. I don't know why I hadn't been in so long, but it was damn good! Now that locally-grown produce is coming into season, the innovative Za chefs are incorporating that produce into their dishes. There was no shortage of unusual or intriguing dishes on the special menu today, that's for sure! We started out with the avocado salad, which I've had on prior occasions. I couldn't bring myself to branch out on the salad because I had such fond memories of the avocado one. It didn't disappoint. Loaded with black beans and jalapeno peppers and tomatoes, it was delicious and refreshing. We ordered one of the pizza specials, a pie featuring local strawberries, goat cheese, basil, and walnuts. I had heard about a similar Za pizza featuring cherries, and I would have preferred that, but my boy talked me into the strawberry one anyways. It was good, and a little more savory than I expected it to be. They are good at making pizza, so I think that whatever they put on it, it will probably taste good. We were lured into getting a pistachio creme brule for dessert, and it was different but good, though a little heavy for such a lovely night as this. They carry a nice freshly brewed iced tea, which made me very happy, and they served it with the obligatory (and appreciated) lemon wedge. They also have a nice beer selection, which today included the Newport Storm blueberry beer and the Berkshire Brewing Company coffee porter. Service was great, atmosphere was relaxing. A fine trip indeed.
(5)Lisa M.
Awesome desserts, great salads, so-so pizza... My husband (a Chicago pizza snob), my mom, and I thought the pizza here was just okay. The crust pretty thick; it seemed too thick to truly compliment the gourmet toppings. I basically think gourmet-type toppings are best served on neapolitan style pizza. Specifically we ordered: - the special pizza with goat cheese, mushroom, garlic, etc. The garlic (whole cloves, roasted) was WAY too much. We had to pick it off. - a "chalkboard" special involving apples, cheddar, pumpkin seeds, etc. Too sweet; tasted too desserty. Could not taste the cheddar. - made our own with ham, pineapple, and pickled peppers. Ham would have been better thinner sliced. And again, on all of these, the crust was too thick. It couldn't be described as "thin" or as "thick" crust, it was sort of in-between ... this made it neither a worthy focus nor a useful compliment, IMO. We did really like the desserts. We had the dark chocolate goat cheese cheesecake and the buttermilk panna cotta. They do need to rename the panna cotta; it was more like "lemon panna cotta." Or maybe they could just make it without the lemon, that would be even better. Salads were very good (we had the beet salad and the tex-mexy one). Fresh and sort of different. I wouldn't call them rave-worthy but still, pretty good. Service was impeccable.
(3)Jonathan M.
Love this place. Their different styles pizzas are fun and delicious.
(4)Chris M.
Never ever been disappointed. Always very friendly waiters (last night we told them we were running a little late to catch a movie down the street, and he offered to expedite our orders - fantastic!) Most of their pizzas are vegetarian and they support a lot of local farms and good sources overall. And they don't even brag about being super-organic-local-green. My pizza last night - pear, caramelized onions, walnuts, cranberries. Their pizzas are a good size for one big meal, but you'll probably find yourself taking home 3-4 slices if you get a salad before. They're decorated with pig figurines/ornaments. Everywhere. It's adorable.
(5)Sean B.
I actually work right next to the Kendall Square location, but I've been to the Arlington restaurant too. I like their pizza. They have some unique pizzas, like the Mac and Cheese pizza. They're individual sized, and around $10-11, which is fine. I'm just not sure I'd spend it on a regular basis, but again, I like the pizza. The Kendall location gives off a strange vibe to me, as it shares the building with "EVOO" which seems like a "high-end" restaurant. It might not actually be "high-end" but you usually see normal working folks eating pizza, and prim and proper suits eating over in EVOO. I'm probably over-thinking it, but just seems odd. The Arlington locale, however is small and homey, and feels appropriate for a pizza shop. I do like the pizza.
(3)Bob B.
This place is great. I suggest you give it a try! It's pretty small and can get busy.. So make sure you beat the rush.
(4)Sam M.
Order: Portabello Mushroom Pizza, Grilled Chicken Pizza, Chocolate Goat Cheesecake. The Protabello was amazing. Loaded with toppings in the perfect proportions. The caramelized onions were heavenly. I would have preferred raw garlic but it was great with cooked. The Chicken pizza was good, not amazing. It would have been a lot better if the chicken were not so dry. The Chocolate Goat Cake. The cake was great. I'm glad I had take out, because the cake was so rich and I was able to add vanilla ice cream, it was very potent.
(4)here t.
The visit was in a quiet early dinner slot, with only a few wary odd fellow patrons, puzzling at the heat of the summer. Wondering together if the heat would ever stop, sipping water to remedy, we all received adequate service from a babe waitress who was appropriately sweet. Others who were babe-like as well, though with more introspection, seemed motivated to do their thing- and the boss-like man was around. He seemed a bit taken with himself. The service therefore was aligned properly with the planets. Pizza order and salad side poised for launch we waited and watched the two odd young two ladies (from a nearby trailer park?) smoke their butts and wait for the bus. Good for the environment (the bus), bad for their pulmonary function and alveoli (the butts). They'll out grow it, most likely. Then drive cars; you can't win eh? Oh yea---Ah the arrival of the alimentary delights and the brewed grain products...a worthy selection of both The full experience was good and satisfying. Though Im a prefer-er of thin crust, this version of moderate crust was good. Nicely edible and balance of flavors placed in their places. Atmosphere is somehow nicer than Stone Hearth in Belmont. But support them both whenever possible, not the evil Bertucci Empire of darkness.......(though its ok too --!?wtf?) Hold down those prices Mr. Za, get the return and marginal diners in there, ok?
(4)Cee C.
Sweet potato, bacon, hot peppers pizza is fabulous. The crust was nice and crunchy. It came in the perfect size, enough to take a slice home too. Food good..... Our waitress and the hostess-- well they were super annoying by asking us many times if we were ready to order while we were relaxing have a drink first. I could understand if it was busy, but the place was only at half capacity. Service bad....
(4)Alison F.
Salads and pizza and dessert. Everything I need to be happy. LOVE the toppings (figs & ham & gorgonzola -- hmmmmmmmm). But I HATE the crust. It's like the crust at Pinnochio's in Harvard Square, if you've been there. Grainy and dry, weird. For some reason I can't figure out, it always seems loud (with conversation, not music). I like the feel of the place, and if they'd get a new crust recipe, I'd move in. Maybe that's why they won't change it.
(4)Annie D.
Just ate dinner here. Wait staff was super friendly. The menu on their website only represents about half of the offerings; there is a second "chalkboard" menu with more options. I had a Caesar-like salad which was good, my boyfriend had a spinach salad with a type of mustard vinegarette dressing. I really liked that they offered local sodas rather than Coke or Pepsi options.
(4)Sarah G.
The bad: Crust is chewy and greasy, especially on any pizza with extra fat (e.g. meat or mac & cheese). Plain pizza is not great. Waits can be insane. The good: Pizza improves 100% if you take it home and bake it in a hot oven for a little while - crust fries a bit and is crisper. Staff are super sweet and accommodating. We were trying to make it to a movie and they put in our order early so our food was ready for us by the time we got a table. They handed out free samples to the crowd waiting for tables. Mac and Cheese pizza! Homemade sausage. Local sourcing.
(3)Rick U.
You know it's a quality restaurant when it takes a comfort food and elevates it to a higher form of cuisine. I'm your standard pizza guy. Growing up, I liked it plain. During college, I learned the "major toppings" of pepperoni and sausage, and the acceptable vegetables (mushrooms, peppers). It was only after living in California did I explore fruit (ham and pineapple anyone?) and the other variants of pizza (e.g. deep dish, sicilian, etc.). These days, I'm more concerned with delivery times (hello Snow Crash) and execution (they got my toppings right). So it's a delight to eat at a place like Za's, which takes pizza to wonderful culinary heights. Pizza from Za is less about fuel, and more about taste, and creativity. I've enjoyed their "basic" macaroni offering, but was wowed by their duck and peaches pizza. My brother says he needed to visit a place that serves duck and peaches on their pizza, and he lives in Milwaukee. Of late, I've been enjoying their Aruguloni, which has me piling salad on top of a pizza with pepperoni and mashed potatoes. The place where I grew up would not recognize me anymore. Za is pizza of a higher order, and I'm glad it's in Arlington. It's a wonderful break from "fuel" pizza (and price-wise, you won't forget that it's not your average pizza), and I recommend it highly.
(5)Dana L.
Okay so let me preface this by letting all of you know how indifferent I am about pizza. I never order it, and only eat it when my friends or family really want it. That said, I must say how completely NOT indifferent I am about Za. What a great place. I had a specialty pizza with sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, bacon and cheese and it was so amazingly delicious. My friend's pizza was something with mushrooms and it was equally as tasty. The pizza here is not traditional and that's probably why I liked it so much. Additionally, the atmoshphere is great. Such a cute place, very warm. The wait staff was beyond pleasant, joking around with customers and making us all laugh quite a bit. I loved it here!
(5)Peter G.
This place is great! I used to get all bent out of shape that it's not pizza; but who cares, whether its pizza or not it's really good. Be sure to get the avocado salad and be smart and get one for yourself, you're not going to want to share. One pizza is definitely enough for two people, especially if you start with one of the salads, but we usually get two, to try different things and also we usually order from the specials menu.
(5)D M.
I came out here on an adventure with Cara and Jesse on a little Arlington adventure, and we got a little crazy with the specials menu. The decor of the place was very cozy, and the service was very attentive. It does take a while for the pizzas to come out, and the salads were appetizer sized particularly for that reason. We all ordered salads-I went with a potato salad, which I was surprised to find that the base component was actually mashed potatoes, with cucumbers, feta, great fresh herbs and tomatoes. It was definitely out of the ordinary and a fun take on a Greek salad! Cara got taco-style salad, which was heavy on the cheese. Jesse got a chop salad which looked delicious. For pizzas, we were a little less wowed. Jesse got the sausage pizza, and Cara and I split the smoked salmon pizza. Yeah, we got lox on a pizza. I would suggest it, though it was terrible. It was a good helping of caramelized onions on the base, with creme fresh, capers, dill, and the smoked salmon. It worked because it was a thin crust, but it wasn't really magical. We all enjoyed are experience here, but it's not for those who are trying to eat really that healthy-hello, mashed potato salad? It was all tasty but certainly not for the faint of heart. I'm not sure if I'd come in again, but it was definitely an interesting take on a pizza joint.
(3)Eric B.
We've eaten here numerous times and rave about it each time. Duck on a pizza? Sweet potato on a pizza? Get it here! Absolutely delicious, laid back dining. The Hass Avocado salad is awesome. Also, they carry a couple of local craft brews which is a nice plus!
(5)Kristine M.
As a pizza purist (give me just plain cheese and sauce any day!) and a macaroni and cheese enthusiast, I wasn't sure what to order. The mac and cheese pizza sounded awfully tempting, if not a little strange and carby. But I had to order it. It was actually quite good. The mac and cheese tasted very homemade and fresh, with a nice blend of cheeses. I tried a few of my friends slices and everything was really tasty...even the salami and pickles pizza that my husband got! We also got some desserts. The pecan pie had some nice fresh whipped cream on it. Very tasty. The main downside, in my opinion, was the crust. I was expecting something a little thinner and less greasy. Also, the salads were really over-priced.
(3)Jonathan C.
They are very creative and have some original salads and pizzas. -Avocado chopped salad- Delicious - Beet and goat cheese salad - Delicious - Beer selection- pretty decent - Pizzas - They have some very creative specials, I had a pickle, mustard, hamburger pizza that was yummy. Nice decor, medium sized seating area, waitstaff get the job done and leave you unimpressed. A little pricey given the size of the portions. (12 inch pizzas I think)
(4)Andrew R.
The first thing you'll notice about Za is that it aims to be a step above the average corner store pizza shop. The interior is suited for having a more formal sit-down meal, but it's not to the point where you'd feel weird dining there alone. I went there on a Sunday afternoon, so the service was very good, since there were very few other people in there. The waitress explained any questions very well, and was attentive to small needs. Za also serves beer which is a nice perk as well. The pizzas themselves are fairly fancy, but not quite to the point where they're overdone. They feature common toppings, but tending to combine them with other interesting ingredients to make it a more unique meal. I had the Mac and Cheese pizza, which was pretty good, but I wish I had tried something more traditional for my first visit. I will definitely go back to try other options, as I left with a good impression of the place overall.
(4)Abby R.
I'd just like to say that I moved back to Toronto - and every time we go out for fancy pizza we say "it's just not as good as Za." That's right. Za is officially the best 'za around. I miss it. It's delicious, and they make perfect pizzas.
(5)Terry W.
WAHOO! This place was amazing.. The creme brulee we had for dessert was a little to overpowered by the rosemary infusion...but the PIZZA-BEER& WINE Selection was worth the trip....My daughter had the Mac-n-Cheese Pizza and it was really good...homeade sausage topping was a winner on the grown up pizza we ordered along with the pickled Jalepenos....mmmmmm did I mention the beer was really really good...to put it into Mortal Combat terms..if Za was fighting Emmas in Cambridge..ZA would have scored a fatality..ZA RULES!
(4)Brian K.
Eating pizza at Za is a lot like driving a fancy Italian sports car. Sure, it roars and it has gull-wing doors but ultimately a Corvette will smoke it off the line for a lot less money. Za is one of my neighborhood pizza places. In my house there's usually a short lived conversation about ordering from somewhere else before settling on Za. Why am I perfectly OK with this? The Iceberg wedge salad; it's glorious. If you like fatty dressing and bacon bits, then this is the Platonic perfection of what a salad should be. As for the Pizza it is average. I find the slices and pie itself to be a little on the small side. The kitchen does make up for these smaller sized pizzas with its 'Chalkboard Specials.' These are the gourmet pies loaded with some inspired ingredients, like chorizo, dill pickles, garlic aioli, etc. Unfortunately, these chalkboard specials don't change that much. Or maybe we just keep going back to Za on the same day and miss the rotation. Still, if you're in the neighborhood, go to Za. You won't be disappointed by the pizza but might be a little let down by the reputation that precedes it.
(3)Alysia D.
A friend had been raving about this place for... well, forever, so we went on Saturday for an early dinner of what I expected to be fantastic, out of this world amazing pizza with zany toppings. Guess I should have tempered my expectations before I got there. I left disappointed. Two people in my party ordered the beet salad. One beet salad was half goat cheese, one was almost no goat cheese. So much for consistency. Ordered two special pizzas... one was potato, bacon, onion, ect ect... huge chunks of completely unseasoned potatoes. Bacon gave it a little saltiness, but that was about it. Second pizza was shittake mushrooms, potato cream, white onion, and gruyere cheese with truffle oil. It had a really nice earthy flavor to it, but again, flavorless potatoes made into a cream sauce that had the oddest texture. Mushrooms were not seasoned either. Completely bland. Both pizzas were desperately begging for flavor. There was absolutely nothing special or particularly yummy about these pizzas. Nothing. What a waste of dinner. The friend who had recommended the place was actually embarrassed by how bad the specials were. She assured us that of the many, many times she's been there, these boring, tasteless pizzas were the exception, not the rule. She made us promise to give it another shot.... and I will. And when I do, I'll update this review. But until further notice, I'm underwhelmed by you, Za.
(2)Anna L.
I've been to Za three or four times now and they always manage to serve up some of the most delicious pizza I've ever had in my life. This probably isn't the place to go if you're looking for pepperoni and cheese; however, it's the perfect place if you're looking for something a little more adventurous and eclectic. My favorite pizza at Za boasts a cool collection of toppings, including the following: salmon, dill, caper, and crème fraîche. If you're feel extra hungry, I would definitely recommend the dessert. Chocolate goat cheesecake? Or is it chocolate goat cheese cheesecake? Whatever it's called, it's downright delicious! Unfortunatly, the only things keeping this place from earning a five star rating are the okay service and horrible paintings on the wall.
(4)John P.
They have some nice topping options like a special with pickles on it. It's actually really good on a pizza. But... The crust is the biggest downfall. It's the same strange tasting crust you get at your local greek pizza place. If you're going to put fancy toppings and charge a ton the crust better be good. The salads are good too, but again a bit over priced.
(2)Jason C.
Great pizza with awesome , seasonal toppings (each season has a different specialty pizza). Must say, the standard cheese and homemade susage is my favorite. Za also has a decent beer and wine selection. Also a great place for families with small children. Wait staff have always been attanetive and very nice. At times service can be slow due to the place getting packed (a good sign). Za is definitely worth your while.
(5)Richard C.
So disappointing. Looks great on paper, unique offerings, nice space, great service, but very below average pizza. Un-seasoned dough, a lack of sauce on all four we tried, and too pricey for the amount you get. If you're going to focus on one thing and one thing only, at least make it worthwhile.
(2)Erica S.
Pizza, salad, and beer, in my humble opinion, is a winning combination. So why the 3 stars? Well, there's nothing wrong with Za per se, but it's just really not too special either. And for a place that only makes two things (pizza and salad), I guess I just expected both to be phenomenal. The pizzas only come in one size-- 10"-- which I think is a bummer. It's about enough for one normal to bigger eater (I finished my whole pizza) or I suppose could be shared by a pair of dieting waifs. But hell man, why isn't there a bigger size? I know I'll sound like a big fat cow saying it, but honestly I could have eaten a bit more. And I really don't see why offering a second, larger size would be a big deal for the restaurant... It would certainly have been nice to be able to order a larger pie to share with my lady friends, or at least have some leftovers for a nice cold pizza breakfast. Also, though the pizza toppings are exciting and many of the combinations are unique (mac n cheese pizza?!?! yummmmm!!!), the pizza itself is nothing special. It's a pretty boring crust, kind of thin and crunchy, and reminiscent of what I make at home when I roll out a dough ball from Trader Joe's and make myself a pizza at home. Fine, but not memorable. We split an arugula salad, which was very good (it had fresh pesto in it, which was delicious), but a bit overpriced at $7.50 for its small size. The waitress told us their desserts are really good, but we decided to save our money and calories and skip it... however I must say, I am very intrigued by the Chocolate GOAT Cheesecake.. !!!! I will say that despite thinking the food was just so-so, I had a nice experience here due to the phenomenal service (our waitress was wonderful, and the other servers are great about seating quickly, greeting, etc.), a delicious Ipswich Pale Ale, and knowing that all of the ingredients in my food were local and noticeably fresh. I probably wouldn't go back here on my own, but I'd certainly be willing to go along with others if it came up. Unfortunately there are just too many other great pizza places in the area for me to bother heading out to Arlington for more Za. :-/
(3)Erica D.
I just re-visited Za. I used to be a semi-regular there, and the leftovers would rarely make it to the next morning. Well I don't know if the pizzas have become more filling or if I've become less gluttonous, but I can't devour the pizza like that any more. It's still good stuff, though. They have a nice selection of specialty pizzas -- there is always at least one 'blackboard special' pizza with some kind of fruit, and inevitably, I will order that one (cherry being a standout, pear always reliable if less interesting). It's a greek-style crust, which can always be saved by gourmet toppings. To get a plain cheese pizza here, just sort of a waste, really. They also have salads and desserts that sound wonderful, but I've never tried because I couldn't pry myself away from the pizza. I think this place is still sort of a hidden gem (just had the place to ourselves Saturday night), worth visiting. Patience and a sweater are recommended.
(4)Stephanie G.
Za is great! I was craving somewhere with veggies, so we went here and split the goat cheese garlic pizza - mmm so savory! I've had some of the other pizzas there, and this one always wins out. We also split a pretty simple salad, but it had potatoes at the bottom so it was actually legit filling. The service was super fast - in fact, it was almost too fast. We were in and out in half an hour. And we had three courses! That may have been partially our fault, since we ate fast... Anyway! Great dependably good food, and good prices too.
(4)Greg L.
I am convinced this place uses frozen Boboli shells for their pizza crust. This place is awful. The menu is misleading and it is insanely overpriced. We got a pizza with potato puree, shitake mushrooms, truffle oil, and melted fontina. Where was the truffle oil and the mushrooms? I think I counted three mushrooms on my pizza, and if you know the smell of truffle oil, it is so pungent and delicious you can smell it from a mile a away. There was none on this pizza. Extremely disappointing... We also ordered a tomato/mozzarella pizza with chorizo and caramelized onions. The onions were not caramelized, which is a common theme with these reviews. By the way when you order a tomato/mozzarella pizza you are not getting what you think. Usually I think of slices of tomato and fresh mozz. Not here, instead you are getting a Mama Celeste knock off with bad tomato sauce and shredded mozz. No need to get into the service or atmosphere, the crappy pizza speaks for itself....
(1)Annie B.
Ok place but not WOW. Take out service convenient.
(3)J D.
If you have 5 star salads, 5 star beer, and funky toppings why does your pizza look and taste like it came from Chuck-E-Cheese? Ingredients like this need great dough, sauce and a wood-fired oven to make them shine. Seems like Za skipped pizza 101 and went right to crazy toppings make better pizza class.
(3)Doris W.
I finally made it here! I've been wanting to try this restaurant ever since I saw my friend's pictures of the pizzas she got. Looked very good. I was with 3 friends and we ordered 2 salads: hass avocado and potato with cucumbers. I was surprised at how small the salads were but then again, I'm here for the pizza. The hass avocado was my favorite. Loved the flavors and textures. The potato salad one could've used more potatoes. But that's just me, I love potatoes. But it was very refreshing. We ordered 3 pizzas: pepperoni & sausage, duck w/peaches, and figs. I loved the crust! It was nice and crispy and not too thin. The pepperoni and sausage was good. The duck was sort of a disappointment. The meat was dry and the peaches were kind of dry. The pecans were falling off. It was a bit hard to eat but the combination is best when you get all of those ingredients in one bite. However, my friends and I agreed it was missing something. The figs were a surprise to me. Gorgonzola can be real heavy but for some reason it worked. It was my favorite pizza of the night. Since we went out for my birthday, they gave me a complimentary dessert. I decided on the chocolate goat cheesecake. Honestly, I wasn't crazy about it. I think the taste was a little overwhelming for me. We also ordered the pecan pie and lemon tart. I really enjoyed the lemon tart. The pecan pie was just okay. The crust was good though. Service was really great and the atmosphere was very casual. The food is not cheap but I'd take quality any time. Will have to go back to try the other pizzas.
(4)Matthew V.
If your like me and have realized that all Pizza in this country is crap and had too much sauce and too much cheese and oil.....well your in store for a great surprise. Possibly the best stylize pizza's and salads I have ever had. The chef's really truly pride themselves with creating original pizzas and combining foods, flavors and textures that a normal person would never imagine. Look at their menus and especially the chalk board to see whats up. Truly a gem when it comes to amazing gourmet food. Great atmosphere, although I did not stay to eat. If you want to change up pizza night or you want to change up going out to a restaurant, this is the place.
(5)Joji S.
Have only eaten as take-out. Seems like yuppie pizza, but they are actually, great, although the dough is not my favorite. I usually do not like 'creative' pizzas, but they make very good ones--like the mac and cheese pizza. A little pricey, but worth it on occasion. Also the beet salad was very good.
(4)Esther L.
I really liked the pizza here-the flavor on the crust had just a hint of honey on it. The menu isn't very extensive, but they do a good job of combining things like mashed potatoes and arugula on a pizza and making it taste good. My one gripe is about our server. The Za website says that the restaurant "seats until 11pm on fridays and saturdays." I know its not the nicest thing to go to a place close to when it closes, but that doesn't mean the server has to be rude. My friends and I got to the restaurant at 10:30 on a friday night; our waitress seemed like she was in a rush to get us out the door. We took a couple minutes to order, and at one point she asked if we needed help, and then just stood at our table and stares us down. It made us all feel really uncomfortable. She almost took the pizza off our table before we were done eating. That kind of service makes me subtract a star. Other than that, the place was cute; the food was good (not sure if I'd recommend the chocolate goat cheese-cake though).
(3)Lara S.
This restaurant essentially serves gourmet salads and pizzas. The salads are solid, but the pizzas are really where they earn the 5 stars. They always include a unique and unexpected combination of toppings and taste delicious. I have yet to be disappointed by one of their creations.
(5)Orina B.
For a place devoted to " 'za " it's a surprise the (piz)za isn't better. A lot better. If you get the pizza to go, it's put on a cardboard plate and covered wtih a paper bag. I'm only slightly kidding when I say the cardboard plate has the same texture as the pizza. There's a pretense of many exotic pizza types but by and large they don't equal tastier pizza, just more expensive pizza. I do like the salads, though. There's a cucumber salad with a mashed potato base that I get every time I've gone there. (I know it sounds gross but it's really good.) The service is pretty good. I've met the owner and he's a great guy -- very responsive to his customers.. The place is devoted to families so kids are usually roaming the aisles, banging their silverware, screaming, etc. Don't go if you want a quiet night.
(2)Heather B.
I dig Za! Went Friday night and had an arugula topped pizza with mashed potatoes and onions on it. I love their salads too! I had the romaine with garlicky dressing. In the summer they have a grilled asparagus salad with Parmesan sauce that is to DIE FOR! The General Manager there is ON, always walking the room keeping a handle on things and checking in. The staff is nice. I don't generally go in for "family friendly" as a criteria but Za really manages to be family friendly while catering to adult palates. If you go early - say 5:30 or 6 you'll find families with little ones and they know how to keep them happy with crayons and animal crackers while they wait for their pizza. All in all, this place is amazingly well run and I hope it stays in A Town for many, many years! Trivia: Last I knew it was owned by Brian McCarthy of EVOO fame.
(4)Marissa S.
Za was a great experience. Specializing in pizza and salads, Za does both of those just right. For an anniversary dinner, my boyfriend and I tried this place for the first time. We each got a salad. He got the wedge salad with buttermilk dressing and loved it. I got the avocado salad which had tomatoes, beans, avocados, tortilla chips, sour cream, and more. It was delicious. For dinner, I got the macaroni and cheese pizza, which was great as well. The pizza was cooked perfectly, and it came out of the oven just as we were finishing our salads. For dessert, we split the caramel apple creme brulee, and it was one of the best creme brulees I have ever tasted. Overall, I would highly recommend Za if you are in the mood for a unique and delicious pizza.
(5)Rob B.
When we have a kid, this will be our main restaurant. This is not to be confused with being a "family restaurant" that should be avoided at all costs. Quite the contrary. They walk the fine line between being a casual dinner out with just the 2 of you and the place you bring a couple of the little brat's jungle gym buddies. Attentive waitstaff, creative desserts (chai creme brulee? yummy!), and fair prices. An East Arlington establishment to frequent.
(4)Greg S.
Favorite pizza place in Arlington, I used to live right down the street. The pizzas are creative and fresh, the crust is light and crisp, and the toppings are always tasty. The specials rotate, and usually include funky combos like mac and cheese, or smoked salmon and creme fraiche (sp?). I tried to mix up my order every time I went - I was never disappointed with a pizza. They also have a tasty selection of local beer, and a few wine choices. It's small and gets really crowded at dinner time, so do take out, get there early or just be ready to wait.
(4)Arik C.
A new Pizza and Salad restaurant in Arlington. Pizzas are cooked to order with a variety of options for toppings. Pizza crust is pretty good but many times I get a overcooked pizza where the cheese is way too brown. Toppings can add up the price as they are not cheap. Get a personal pizza with 4-5 toppings and what was $6 is now over $11. The salads are fantastic and they offer deserts as well but overall the pizza could be much better.
(3)Lynette M.
Simple and yummy.
(3)Jim K.
Excellent high end pizza, and not the crappy California Pizza Kitchen type of froo-frooza, more like a really well-cooked thin crust with high end ingredients. All they had for apps were salads, and it kind of would've been nice to have yummy dinner rolls or maybe garlicy focaccia breadsticks. Overall a very nice place, not stuffy at all. Excellent and attentive waitstaff, and pretty good value for the quality. I'd go back and would also recommend to friends.
(4)aine f.
Went there yesterday for lunch- first time there and wouldn't bother going back. Was not impressed at all. NO atmosphere- and the pizza was mediocore at best. On the positive side- the service was good and the salad was great!
(2)M. Deloris D.
For lunch we enjoyed the fig, gorgonzola and truffle oil pizza as well as an arugula salad topped with ricotta salata, strawberries and pecans and dressed with an orange vinaigrette. Everything was delicious and fresh. Za definitely makes a more sincere attempt at California style pizza than CPK and I can appreciate them for that. The true pleaser here was the honey lavender creme brulee which was a delightful surprise. The creme brulee was infused with lavender and laced with honey it was served with a generous scoop of housemade whipped cream. Nothing at Za dissappointed but the dessert was definitely the real star.
(4)Alex L.
The fig, Gorgonzola, truffle oil pizza is spectacular. Another one that sounds good (but isn't as much) is the bing cherry, basil, chevre. Everything else is good but not spectacular. Stick w/ the fig and you'll be golden!
(3)Olivia S.
We were really looking forward to a Friday evening meal with my family. We arrived and got a table, sat down and ordered 5 minutes later. The menu looked great, we were all excited about our choices, but we never got to try the food. 15 minutes after we placed our order, we started noticing that other tables got their orders already, my water glass had been empty since the first time around we saw our server (she simply never acknowledged us again), and when we asked another server to check on our order, she said she did and it should be out shortly. 5 minutes later I walked up to the front and pointed out that two more tables had already gotten their order while we were still waiting. The same server (mind you, not ours, but another one) said that the manager will be right up. 5 more minutes passed before this very aloof guy (the manager) showed up at our table and said that he would bring out our orders himself (no real apology though, instead he almost seemed annoyed that we had complained). We kept waiting (with my 3-year-old child and me being 8-months pregnant), finally caught our server and asked for more water, but then after 5 more minutes we decided to leave, hungry and disappointed. We all felt that no matter how good the food might be, after being ignored for so long, we wouldn't be able to enjoy it. They did nothing to try and make us stay...
(1)Eric C. H.
It's hard to imagine what I would improve on. The ingredients were very fresh, the pizzas were eccentric but tasty and the service was extremely friendly (mind you, we went on a Tuesday night, so they weren't exactly mobbed). I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in a heartbeat.
(5)Paul m.
i'd give them a 3 but i think 3.5 is more accurate i just did take out for the small pizza. profesional manners when taking the order. the location has easy to find parking. the place when you walk in is average to small size for a restaurant ok closer to small but not what i cared about on a pickup of pizza. the pizza good but a little bit too oily hmm overall the pizza was about 3.5 stars. is it on my list ? well yes as an option but no asterisk so if i happen to be around here and a hot date wants some pizza well this is an option for pickup. would this make the date hotter ehh i doubt it but you never know.
(3)Heather C.
I love Za. The crust is not just a delivery vehicle for cheese; instead it is the perfect complement to all their scrumptious toppings. The crust is tasty, crispy, not too thin, and not too thick. The toppings are fresh and creative. I love the fig and carmelized onion pizza! It is ooey gooey, crispy, crunchy, sweet, and savory all at the same time. The duck pizza with peaches is delish as well. I recently had the salad with arugula, avocado, and blue cheese, lightly tossed in a delicate and slightly sweet sherry vinagrette. It was incredibly tasty, not to mention so pretty to look at. Their salads are a little too small to be a meal for me, but they are the perfect size for an appetizer followed by a warm pizza split between you and your dining companion. Or, the cooks will happily add chicken to the salad, and you will have enough room left for dessert. The servers are always nice, and they know the menu. The food is noticably fresh when it arrives at your table, and then again when it enters your mouth. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and I love getting a raised table near the window so I can people watch along Mass ave. I highly recommend Za!
(5)A E.
Love this place. Food is always good. If you looking for gooey, oily pizza this is not the place for you. Their salads and pizzas are fun and inventive. The combinations of ingredients they use on their pizzas is really fun. Love their panacotta. I have always found their service to be really good. They do get busy on the weekends so you might have to wait for a table. They also do take out.
(5)David L.
Good but not great pizza, but what can you expect outside of NY, New Haven or the North End. IOW, about as good as you're going to get in your neighborhood. Interesting toppings -- not the usual stuff.
(4)Amie R.
Ridiculously good pizza... the salads are great, too. It's thinner crust, and not super-greasy like a lot of others. Cute decor inside - although quite a small place. Nothing fancy, but it's a nice place to sit and enjoy some stellar pizza and a few drinks! Great for takeout , too.
(5)Sam S.
Over-rated. Other places, for example, Upper Crust, do this style of pizza much better. Too much focus here on using unusual toppings, rather than getting the basics right.
(2)Jane T.
just tried this place with my boyfriend and our friend - the mashed potato salad was very good and not too expensive. the boys loved the pizzas (mac and cheese and a special with corn and bacon)- too bad they don't have gluten free dough :( we'll be returning! (especially because we live down the street...)
(4)Susan W.
I've never been able to drag my 22 year old son here because of the name. But I have returned several times because the quality of the food and the inventiveness of the ingredients. Wonderful and fresh with a decent wine list.
(5)Joseph G.
Great first date place. Super fresh ingredients. Who can go wrong with Pizza and Beer/Wine? Old world pizza dough comes out light and crisp. Funky toppings for A type personalities. Service was friendly and quick. We did have to wait Thursday night, no reservations. Plenty of side street parking. A great place to go before/after catching a movie from down the street.
(4)Kixie C.
Delicious pizza, creative salads, comfortable seating, and friendly staff. The owner touches base to see if you're enjoying the food which is a nice touch. Will definitely go back again and again.
(4)J B.
I lived down the street from this place for over a year and only went once, but the one time I did go it was great. I went for lunch, it was quiet, the service was polite and quick. My friend and I shared a pizza and a salad, it was really yummy. I will have to go back sometime when I am back over there.
(4)Adrienne B.
I'm in love. I went into Za having no idea what it was other than italian- again another Zagat find on my boyfriends part- when I looked down at the menu and saw only salads and pizza I was a bit hesitant. I'm so glad I trusted him though. The pizzas are made to order so they take a bit- but it was well worth it. I picked out the special which was mozzarella and ricotta cheese topped with pepperoni and arugula and a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar. It was the perfect pairing of cheese, zestiness and greens. My boyfriend got the grilled chicken pizza on the regular menu and also adored it. I enjoyed it as well, but like my pizza with not as much on it. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive and the manager came over to see how we were enjoying ourselves and complimented me on my special choice, his favorite of the day too. Overall it was such a fun place, and I look forward to heading back there. I could really see it as a perfect date place especially with the movie theatre so close by.
(5)Mark C.
Za is a nice little corner restaurant serving up an eclectic assortment of fine pizzas that goes well with their selection of wines and/or beers. A casual yet psuedo-trendy spot perfect for lunch or late evening dinner dates. Although I like the place, I find that the service there could be a bit faster but maybe that's just me. Quite busy on certain nights, but usually not a long wait before something opens up. Easy to get to and street parking is never a problem (for me at least). I wouldn't recommend driving all the way out just for Za, but it's perfect for an "on the way" kind of food expereince.
(4)Steve M.
ZA brings the taste of California pizza to Arlington. Not-too-greasy pies come with plenty of outrageous toppings. You can get great NY-style pizza down the road in Cambridge, but if you just have to have duck on your pie, ZA is the place. It has a nice, clean, but laid back atmosphere too.
(3)A A.
I first went to Za back in 06 and was quite disappointed. We waited an eternity for our pizza and were not impressed. Fast forward two years and we decided to try it again. This time we placed a pick up order. We ordered the Avocado salad and the Portobello Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Garlic, and Goat Cheese pizza. At best the salad was the size of a small side and the pizza was awful. The crust was chewy and tasteless and the toppings although all my favorites didn't jive. Overpriced and Overrated for sure!
(1)Chris M.
A great upscale pizza place. The salads are amazing too.
(5)joanne c.
Decent pizza, nice atmosphere, great service. We had the beet and goat cheese salad and the gorgonzola, arugala, onion pizza and both were very good. It was a perfect lunch!
(4)M. H.
I actually go to Za once a week with my toddler. When we enter we are always greeted with smiling faces. They have crayons and paper ready to keep my daughter distracted while I order and wait for the food. The menu is fun and creative and it's nice to go to a place that always has specials. We have tried most of the salads and most of the pizzas at this point and I have never been bummed out by my choices. The atmosphere is mellow and the music is never too loud. My favorites are the cucumber and kalamata salad and the sweet potato pizza that was a recent special. The salad has a smooth potato salad base and is topped with what is basically a chopped greek salad. They use lots of fresh herbs in the salads and pizzas which gives everything a real homemade taste. Great place!
(4)Jackie M.
I too, like the last reviewer, have only been once but it was really good. We got salads and split a pizza and it was really good. Very different from other pizza places I've been to, they use interesting ingredients as toppings for their pizzas. Not sure why we haven't gone back...
(4)NIX V.
Great place to grab a bite to eat before or after a movie at the Arlington Theatre. We went before a movie and were in a hurry. The waitress recommended the cheese pizza and we ordered the squash and smoked cheese salad. Both were fantastic. I am still dreaming of the salad which is more like a cold vegetable terrine. The waitress was very helpful and got us to our movie with time to spare.
(4)Thomas M.
Flatbread style pizza, with a variety of toppings and specials. Clean inside, attentive service -- a little pricey for pizza, but well worth it. Small, yet decent beer & wine list. Street parking only. Will go back!
(5)Daphne Weld N.
I feel so lucky to live w/in walking distance of this great place - the limited menu is always very interesting and yummy! I try to get there at once a month. a glass of red wine w/ grilled chicken pizza and a salad are my staples!
(5)C. R.
I like that this place is kid friendly without being kid-predominant--the food and the space are relaxed but grown-up; it's mostly that the place doesn't make a big deal out of having a kid in tow, which is probably why there's usually a couple of families there for the early dinner shift. The space is small but well planned out and chic, with a charming combination of window, booth and table seating, and they feature a rotating exhibit of local artists' work (generally cityscapes by reasonably talented painters.) If you have to eat immediately, call ahead to check on the wait time for for take out, which is prompt--or, you know, just eat later, as the place is pretty busy from 5.30 to 8. I'm a woman who likes to eat dessert after her pizza, thank you very much, and they have some fantastic ones that change seasonally and aren't the usual dried-up cannoli or leaden flourless chocolate whatever. Finally, the owner works his ass off, and I appreciate that in a place where the staff's on the hustle to get food to tables with ages ranging from 0 to 70; I've seen him seat, wait and bus tables every time I've been there, and it's not because they're short on staff. One small suggestion--having a few non-salad appetizers would be a plus, though I did appreciate the animal crackers our sympathetic waitress brought us one time when I was desperate.
(4)Steve L.
Unique and delicious salads and pizzas. I think they only use local produce, which makes all the difference for that amazing fresh taste. The menu is limited, but you can always make your own pizza. Definitely worth checking out, even if you're not a huge pizza fan.
(4)Alice K.
A unique and delightful twist on pizza and salad with a bit of dessert. Go for the specials! They're inventive, fun to look at and delicious to the level of any of Boston's top restaurants. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly- one gets the impression that the chef and the waitstaff work together smoothly, to the benefit of the diners. Especially recommended: the farmer's market salad- it wasn't at all what I'd anticipated, and it was fantastic. :)
(5)shana c.
the cucumber, tomato, feta, kalmata olive salad with garlic balsamic over mashed potatoes is genius. the presentation of all of the food looked great! the pizza was great too as many of the other reviewers wrote. and i'd have to agree that the owner was super attentive! i will go back!
(5)John Z.
Salads are innovative and tasty, several without lettuce. For some reason they don't serve rolls with the salad, though. The pizzas were OK (Bertuccis is better I think), but both of ours tasted sweet. We were told that their jalapeo peppers are in a sweet sauce, but this soaked through the pizza. Somewhat overpriced.
(3)Paul L.
Za is a Paddy family staple. My parents, whose idea of adventurous eating is an Old El Paso taco dinner kit, swear by Za for reliably tasty pizzas and salads for a fair price. For the cautious diner, there's an assemblage of common pizza toppings. For the frisky, Za also offers tasty options like squash pizza with maple syrup (yum!), mac 'n cheese pizza (heart attack!), and fun toppings like figs, walnuts, etc. The salads are also very inventive and the produce, if memory serves, comes from Verrill Farm. I'm not a beer drinker, but Mr. Paddy has enjoyed some of their rarer brews. The wine list is quite nice as well. I've always been pleased with the service, but I do wish it were possible to make a reservation. Sometimes the wait is exceptionally long, and there's no real waiting area. However, people often treat idling patrons to slices of pizza while they wait, which is a nice touch. All in all, a cheerful evening out.
(4)Vanilla P.
The Za staff is awesome - super friendly with fast service. This is important when you've got a little one who may or may not decide to happily sit through dinner. Everytime I go, I order the avocado salad with bread and butter jalepenos. It's a perfect balance of cool, creamy, crunchy, spicy and sweet. HOW DO THEY DO IT? I try to order a pizza from their chalkboard specials each time I go. These pizzas have extremely fresh local produce and meats, and capture the bounty of the season. Get anything with truffle oil - they know how to use it and make it perfect.
(5)jylcat R.
Really didn't expect that much when coming here and boy was I surprised. The staff was so friendly when we walked in at lunch that we were confused... are we still in the Boston area? Very nice, seemed very sincere, this continued throughout our meal. Which was AMAZING. Fantastic gourmet pizza. We had the mac and cheese pizza (I know, crazy right? but oh so freaking awesome)... elbow macaroni, cheese, cheese, cheese, garlic, breadcrumbs? omg. I think I died and went to starch heaven. We also tried the portabella pizza with goat cheese, roasted red peppers and carmelized onions - fantastic! I wish I could have a pizza that is one slice of everything they have. There wasn't a thing on the menu that I wouldn't want to try. Can't wait to go here again!
(5)Jamie L.
P.S. WOW!!! Seriously I had no idea veggies could be so good on a pizza! It is something I tend to avoid because I hate the sog factor. Broccoli and tomatoes are the two hardest things to get right on a pie, but not only did they do it awesomely, they did it together! The veggies are freakin' fresh, and I mean that literally and figuratively!!!
(5)Ilene F.
A terrific combination of neighborhood joint, gourmet pizza and unordinary beer list. I've been here a number of times and find the pizzas consistently good and the service consistently inconsistent. Still, that's not enough of a drawback to keep me away. It's very similar to Stone Hearth in Belmont Center, where families and regular folk can dine in harmony. The portion size isn't huge, but I'm one of those "one slice too many" types, so it's just as well. When I go with a friend, we get two different pizzas, share a salad, drink a beer, and are perfectly content. The fig, Gorgonzola and caramelized onion pizza is wonderful.
(4)Amelia G.
I have adored ZA since I first went in Arlington. Yummy adventurous pizzas, cool composed salads, it is always a win. I bet your parents would love it. Plus, now it is in such a cute little location on the canal, it is like sightseeing, even for us Cam natives!
(4)JohnnyFoodface ..
If they had a take-out place with modestly-priced larger-sized versions of the culinary delights they create at Za, they would probably dominate the metro Boston area. Friendly manager, interesting and delicious food, good beer selection, boisteriously intimate environment, and a bookshelf of piggies. Ya gotta love Za
(5)Matt S.
The food is awesome as always. But how could you mistake "portabella" with "sweet potato"? I guess they're both kind of in trochaic dimeter, yes.
(4)Jessica B.
I would recommend Za whether you live in the area or are visiting. They use a lot of local ingredients and you really can taste the difference! The first time I went to Za was in the summer. If I wanted I could have ordered the more traditional cheese pizza but I ordered off the Specials Black Board Menu. The pizza had local strawberries, goat cheese and caramelized onions. I still dream about it and can't wait till strawberries are in season! MMm Mmm Mmm! Since then, I've tried many pizzas off the Specials Menu and have not been disappointed.
(5)C P.
My husband and I love this place so much, we had our wedding rehearsal dinner there. Instead of reserving the whole place for a Friday night (which would have cost a bundle) the manager let us just make a reservation for 60 at 5 pm. Yep, a reservation for 60. The staff just kept bringing out pizzas and beer and salads...it was great. My personal favorite pizza is sausage, mushroom, and roasted garlic. After eating one, I smell like garlic for 24 hours and it is so, so worth it. All of their pizzas are good--fig, etc...and so are the salads. Favorite salads include the beet salad and any salad that involves a parsnip puree underneath fresh greens. Their desserts, especially the cheesecakes and panna cottas they come up with, are also amazing. Plus, a small but high quality selection of beer and wine. The ambiance is friendly and inviting. It's great! In fact, I think I'll go there for dinner right now...
(5)Kayleigh S.
I could eat at Za every day and never get tired of it. This is not your typical pizza house. The pizzas and salads are inventive and use local seasonal ingredients. I'm generally a picky eater, but I trust Za enough to order whatever they have on special. Even if that means cherries, macaroni, or rhubarb on my pizza.
(5)Shoshanna E.
Impressed that I was offered a drink and a sample taste of pizza while I waited for my friends to arrive. Pizza was tasty but I've had better. Crust kind of reminded me of frozen pizza. Points for inventive combos. Portions a bit small. Really delicious butternut squash salad mixed with apple, etc. Horrible diet soda--I actually sent it back for something else. Bad mix or something. Cozy environment. In all, not sure I'd go back. Maybe.
(3)Joe R.
What makes this a win for me, and scores big with my lady. Go early, 5:30pm, and avoid the crowd. Split a pizza, and get your own salads. Nancy loves the beet salad, and the way they serve it is great. Lots of little things added, that make this salad a hit. Get Nancy a glass of wine. $25 on the table, and we are out of there. SCORE!!
(4)Mike D.
I hate the name of this place. Almost as much as I hate the name "Boston Chowda Company." I used to live around the corner, though, and the "za" itself is great. The person who seemed to be the owner checked up on us too much--and for that matter definitely didn't come across as the sort of person who says "za." Isn't he the owner of EVOO too? I'll never eat at EVOO even though I hear good things about it because of my admittedly irrational hatred of Rachel Ray. Other pro: They have delicious, creative salads. Other con: When we used to go they served too many beers on tap for a small place that doesn't sell much draft beer so there were freshness issues, but then again I was still giddy at the fact that I could drink beer at a restaurant in Arlington in those days.
(3)ali g.
Za is a quaint little place to go with a small party of 2-4. They only serve beer & wine, salad & pizza. Pretty simple, but VERY filling. I've been here twice and on both occasions have left feeling satisfied and enjoyed my time. It's not my favorite pizza, but they do it in their own unique way. The atmosphere of the place is what will bring me back - especially on a rainy, cold day - it's so cozy!
(4)Amanda L.
CHILDREN.EVERYWHERE. Ok, now that I've gotten that out. Za's is pretty tasty. They are a pizza and salad place only, and I was surprised there was actually waitress service. The place (at least menu-wise) seems a little too casual for it to be full service like that. The boys had already ate dinner as Whatta Wing, and us girls didn't feel like having fried chicken wings. Instead, we opted for the Salmon pizza, with capers, creme fraiche, mozzarella, and caramelized onions. There was no sauce on it, which is good, because it didn't need it. There were a lot of options for pizzas, they weren't your run of the mill pepperoni type thing going on. I liked that. And the prices weren't that expensive either. The boys got dessert, lemon tart with raspberries, and chai tea creme brulee. Both were tasty. Service was a bit sluggish. She was nice enough to us, but halfway through the meal she forgot about us entirely. It took forever to get her attention so Jess could order her dessert. Lots and lots of families, and at times, screaming children. But we had a fun time deciding all the kid's futures. All in all, quality place, I probably wouldn't necessarily go out of my way or anything, but if in the area I will definitely stop by again.
(4)scott w.
We met some friends for a saturday night out. They took our 7:30 reservation and we were seated right away. You get a very simple menu in that your choices are pizza and salad. The options for both are diverse. My other got a cucumber tomato onion olives salad all on a potato puree. She really enjoyed it. I got a glass of clown shoes beer that was similar to guinnes, but was very good. For our pizzas, i got a mac and cheese pizza. It had a very cool consistency, and we ate every bit of it. My friend got a sweet potato combination pizza. The fun part was trading slices around for other pizza slices. My other got a chorizo pizza with dill, mustard and other stuff. She took half of it home. There are some cool desserts. I got a rosemary infused creme brulee. Im on the fence between "not sure" and "really liking it". It had a diferent kind of taste, but I did eat every bit of it. Our service was very good. She checked in every now and then. The only etiquette thing we had was the taking of a plate from one person before everyone else is done. And we were definintely the table of people hanging out a little longer after our dinner, but they seemed to subtlely be trying to get us to leave. We got the check a few minutes after our dessert came. After we signed the check, the server picked it up and thanked us. A few minutes later, she thanked us again and started clearing dishes. We got the hint and left soon after.
(4)Chloe B.
Za is delicious. It is also a recent addition to the Scrabble two-letter word list that means "pizza." Thus, it should come as no surprise that Za is all about the pie. "Pizza place" being too deceptively simple a description, I shall go into detail. Here are things that you can get at Za: 1) Wonderful salad and pizza specials, enriched by the freshest seasonal ingredients. 2) A standard menu into which much thought has clearly been put. I had the cucumber and potato salad, it was supremely tasty and beautifully plated. 3) Mind-blowing, unexpected, and delightful flavor combination. Hello there pizza with duck and peaches, please get into my belly now. 4) The best damn panna cotta I have ever had. With fresh whipped cream. CAN YOU GO WRONG THERE? I think not, man. I think not. 5) If you decide to take your unfinished yummies home, you will get to travel with an adorably printed Za paper bag. Such a cute touch...but maybe I'm just a softie.
(4)Heather H.
I checked out Za before heading to a movie at the Capital Theatre. My actual score is a 2.5. When we arrived we were immediately seated. Then we waited. And waited. And waited at least 20 minutes before a very flustered waitress came to take our order for drinks and food. The beet salad I ordered was fairly tasty. Definitely not enough for an entree, but well balanced between the sweet beets and creamy goat cheese. My companion's Greek salad looked nice, but definitely needed seasoning. We split one of their special chalkboard pizzas: apple, cheddar, caramelized onions, and chorizo. Overall the pizza was bland. The apples were cut into a dice, which left them tasteless and mushy. Slices might have been a better cut. The cheese wasn't sharp enough and kind of sank into the background. Now, as others have mentioned, the onions were less than caramelized. Like the half at the outside of the pizza were halfway there and the ones in the center were barely sauteed. I wasn't crazy about the crust, found it heavy and lifeless. The star of the pizza was the chorizo, which was excellent. I will say that the pizza tasted better cold the next day for breakfast. We each had dessert, my lemon tarte came with half frozen (and in one case halfway to moldy) raspberries and a tough as nails crust. Now shame on me for ordering a lemon tarte in January, but shame on Za for not arranging their menu to be more seasonal. My boyfriend's sweet potato pie was... less than good. Mushy. The wine list is marginal but they have a selection of local beers on tap for decent prices. So kudos for the beer list. Overall, I wouldn't come back.
(2)Nancy L.
Za is a great specialty pizza restaurant housed in Arlington along Mass Ave. It's interesting the amounts of varying toppings that they can pile on the pizza dough. Sometime they pair incongruous ingrediants togethers (like mac and cheese on pizza or portobello and goat cheese or sometimes figs) yet the taste is surprisingly rich and come together in harmony. For those who are less adventurous you can pick your own topppings. They also serve great salads that is packed into a hocky-puck-like mold and is not very leafy but very good (ie the beet salad). As for drinks, Za has an assortment of wine and beer. You wouldn't think that pizza would go with wine but somehow Za manages to make the pizza experience transcend your college slice and give you a more grown-up experience with a waitstaff. But that of course requires an acompanying fatter wallet. I personally love the atmosphere of this small restaurant and the decorations. The artwork on the wall changes every so often to feature local artists and you can buy the works. Sometimes they are bizarre, sometimes whimsical, but I look forward to it everytime.
(4)Bob S.
The food is very good...but it is amazing how much the wait staff can take away from the dining experience on a first visit. I understand it can be very difficult waiting on people but our young waitress when delivering things to our table did so as she walked briskly buy...never stopping at our table....(Imagine the Roadrunner as a table server)...drinks ect and tossed the check in the small check holder thingy on our table landing on our left over containers. It did not make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. If she were a relative I would think she didn't like me visiting.
(3)Tom E.
Evidently someone forgot to tell Za and the rest of you how to make a pizza. This was easily the worst tasting pizza I've had in Boston. 50 dollars for 2 small-ish pizzas, a shared salad and wine?! I'd rather buy 3 slices at Hi-Fi, drink a bottle of Charles Shaw and use the remaining dosh to pay Sammy the homeless guy to dance for me. Ok, ok. Maybe that's harsh. The wine wasn't a problem and the service wasn't shocking (but wasn't good either). But deary me, what dreadful pizza. For 10 dollars, you get a 10 inch personal pizza that is the world's stodgiest hard bread base smothered in low quality cheese. If you're dumb enough you'll have fallen for their trick of 'wacky toppings' which will disguise how bad this pizza is. Either way, within 5 minutes of serving you're wondering why bother any more as it's all gone cold and taken on the sort of tough-rubbery texture only associated with sex toys. Looking round I didn't see a single customer that had managed to soldier on and finish their pizza. Everyone was going home with a doggie bag and lots of doggies were gonna be puking later. Ideas for improvement: 1. Expand the menu - 6 salads, 6 pizzas and 3 desserts is not much choice. 2. Improve the decor - amateur paintings and fishing photos of your friends isn't what I pay 50 bucks to see. 3. Learn how to cook a pizza 4. Use good quality ingredients 5. Don't be fucking silly. Watermelon in a salad? Maple Syrup on a pizza? I'm not a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, dude.
(1)Nicolas M.
We have a little family tradition of going every Thursday evening at Za, the food is good, original and locally sourced. The staff is extremely friendly and fun to chat with. They also have a good selection of beers and wine to go well with the food, the Mac and cheese pizza is a must try, my favorite is the Fig and goat cheese pizza and the beet salad!
(5)Ted D.
Za is just a gem. The pizza and salads are always imaginative, well prepared, and tasty, and the service is always friendly and helpful.
(5)Joanne B.
Rhubarb pizza? You bet! This is a warm, friendly place with seasonal pizzas that I love. They're great with kids: when my friend's spunky 6-year old wandered off to admire the collection of piggy banks on the wall, the wait staff accommodated her whims and seemed to honestly enjoy her company. My only problem with Za is that I want to go there all the time.
(5)Kristin M.
I love this place, not only for the pizza and salad, but for the staff. They are so friendly. If the owner is in, he visits everyone's tables in an unobtrusive way... The pizza is amazing...crispy crust and fresh toppings. The salads are unbelievable too. I don't know how many times I think I've declared a new favorite one. Prices are fair and the presentation of the salads is beautiful. I also love that they buy local. For those who don't like the more "creative" pizzas, you can always design your own with traditional toppings. They've even been great when we brought toddlers and asked for a plain pizza, with no cheese on one half. No problem!
(5)Sara D.
I stopped in Za one afternoon for lunch and I am so glad I did. I ordered their seasonal arugula salad with walnuts, pears, cranberry, and gorgonzola cheese. It was delicious! I didn't have to wait longer than five minutes for it to be ready. A very quaint place for a first date or small get together!
(5)Jake M.
If you can make it past the nauseating preciousness of ZA's name (1), steel yourself, and maybe pray - this is what pizza tastes like in hell. If you are a sinner, ZA may be your wake up call to repent. If you don't care about your soul, or your taste buds, or your stomach, or your wallet, then by all means, sit down, order your undersized, generally undercooked, wackily topped sorry excuse for a pizza (the sorriest I've ever seen) and have at it. You are fooling no one but yourself if you cop to actually enjoying this crud, but alas, the joke's on you. I'd rather eat Ellio's (2) - three days old and reheated twice in the microwave, soggy and drippy and spongey - than ever inflict one of their abominations on my body again ZA is the sort of place that insufferable wannabe urban gourmands flock to and overpraise (or just praise, period) (3) because they really get off on the appearance of indulging in "comfort food", without having to endure the stigma of having to mingle among the unwashed masses. You can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit, friends, no matter how much you protest. ZA - you fail at life. _______________________________________________ 1."ZA"? Really? I wish I could pinpoint the exact wrongness of the name. It's more a general feeling, than anything I can articulate (1a). ZA strikes me as insufferably pretentious and twee, yet at the same time the only people I have here call pizza "za" are Ya Doods and their ilk. "Bro, let's get us some 'za. Make mine with extra rone!" (1a: except maybe the owners somehow realize that what they are trying to pass as pizza here doesn't quite jibe with the common definition, thus they hacked off the first three letters as either a) a way to distinguish their product or b) as an apologia) 2. Or Mama Celeste's. Or Tony's. Or the Red Baron. Or anything else out of my grocer's freezer. 3. See also: All Star Sandwich Bar; Gargoyle's
(1)HyunJoo K.
Just really quick review here, but I went here with my sister and brother in law and nephew :D Had the salad to start off to share "Cucumber, Tomato, Kalamata Olive, Radish, and Potato Salad with Feta Cheese, Fresh Oregano, and Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette" and absoutely loved it! It was unique and tasty - I'm not a salad eater or veggie eater, but this defintely was good with the bed of mashed potatoes on the bottom! mmmm! great combo. I also had a custom chorizo and onion pizza which was very good! I called it a fancy healthy pizza - I guess a lot of their produce come from local places and supposely a lot of their ingredients are all organic - not that I am huge into that, but my older sister is. The rest of the menu, I am sure, is very good and as inventive as the courses I ordered that day. i am sure to go back and get some healthy meals at. I am sure you are to find my older sister with her husband there! I also wanted to note that the environment is very nice - a modern relaxed style to it as well as a great staff that is personable and sophisticated.
(5)N B.
I love this place. Excellent, interesting pizzas at reasonable prices, and their salads are to die for. (The wedge is good, but I nearly always end up with the avocado and black bean salad...) You can play it safe with a basic pie, or get crazy with a pizza with duck, or dried cherries, or butternut squash, or macaroni and cheese on it. It tends to get crowded on weekend nights, but we live around the corner, so typically call ahead and do take out. I hear they opened up another one in Kendall, so business must be good!
(5)Danielle M.
I went here for lunch the other day - I was kind of unimpressed. For one cup of salad and one 10" pizza it was $26. I'm sorry, did the owner FORGET that they are in Arlington Center, and not the Back Bay?? However, the food was good. My friend and I split the mixed greens salad with the dicon puree and cranberries plus a lot of other stuff. It was interesting. We then split the portobello mushroom pizza that had garlic, tomatoes and feta cheese. that was good as well, but a little on the soggy side for being "cooked to order". I guess my biggest complaint is that their menu items have about a billion ingredients per dish - it is kind of overkill. Like the chef couldn't decide so he/she just decided to throw it all on. Waitstaff is superb. Location is good for lunch. Decor is nice except for all the ceramic pigs and shitty Thomas Kinkade paintings (weird, right?)
(3)kathy r.
My husband craves their mashed potato salad and really any one of their pizzas... there are such amazing combinations and ingredients here. You definitely can't bring someone who's a plain pizza person or has a picky palate; although there are a lot of ingredients you can customize and add to a pizza, this is not your ordinary pizza experience. Wish they had a gluten free crust option. :-(
(4)Maggie B.
There is a time and place for all pizza (well, most pizza) and there is a perfect time for Za Pizza. My favorite time is on Saturday mornings, around 11:30am (a great time as it avoids the evening crowds). Za is quite popular so Saturday mornings, just before lunch, ensures that you get a great table near the window, with bright and cheery servers. The pizza options are varied and awesome and, yes, very gourmet. My favorite pie was last Summer's figs with gorgonzola and truffle oil. It was sincerely a little piece of heaven. My second favorite pie last summer was a gorgeous little number piled with duck and peaches. Yes, the two flavors go together beautifully. Be sure to try it this Summer.
(4)Ken M.
Remember people, go in expecting something different, not your typical shitty greek "pizza" served in the Boston area. If your name is Sully, just turn around, this isn't the place for you. I'm tired of people criticising places for being exactly what they strive to be. In the summer, Za's fig pizza blows Fig Restaurant's Fig Pizza out of the water. Many of the other selections are also good, but I really miss the fig! My issues with this place is that in the winter the menu gets a bit homogenous and if you catch the "B" staff, the service isn't quite as attentive or superb. My coworkers and I frequently go here for lunch and get away for about $12 a piece, sharing everything family style.
(4)Gene G.
Za is pizzeria deluxe, it serves salads, pizza and desserts. The pizza style is thin crust, with plate size pies covered by limited amounts of cheese and EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) but with wonderfully inventive toppings - both sweet (grapes, pears) and savory (mushrooms, garlic, duck). The only pizzas that we did not like were fish based (salmon, anchovies). The entrees and salads will run you between $8 and $12. It has a decent selection of beers, and pretty good deserts - crème brûlée is a favorite of my children. This is a popular place so if you want to sit in, be prepared to wait 10-15 minutes.
(4)Sarah S.
Mac n cheese pizza. Nuff said. It's baked, so the mac isn't gooey and oozing all over the place, which is a lovely image, I know. Also, their goat cheese, portabello, and roasted red pepper pizza- excellent. Meyer lemon torte? Ahhh, fantastic, and with tons of fresh raspberries on top. And I'm not even a fan of lemon in dessert. I went for lunch with my parents and boyfriend, and we are big eaters. We're Italian, you know? But we managed to feed four people with one salad, three pizzas, a shared dessert, and some sparkling wine for about $60. Which is quite excellent, in my opinion. A nice, small, intimate-ish restaurant. Go on a date, as it has a nice atmosphere at night. Actually, go for lunch with your siblings/parents/grandparents/aunt/uncle/friends, too, because it's lovely in the afternoon, too. And remember: Mac n cheese pizza. __________________ ETA 06/08: I went to Za again today for an early birthday lunch with my parents and boyfriend, and am giving them the coveted 5th star! Why, you say? Because the service and food were fantastic, there are free refills on the homemade, amazingly delicious iced tea, and the two salads (iceberg/blue cheese wedge and radicchio, pear, and arugula chalkboard special) and three pizzas (mac n cheese, portabella/peppers/goat cheese, and cherry/goat cheese/walnut chalkboard special) were DIVINE. Plus, when my mom proposed a toast to my birthday, our waitress came over and asked what we were celebrating. My mom told her, and, at the end of the meal, the waitress brought over a pistachio creme brulee with a candle, which was so sweet and so unexpected- and freaking delicious to boot! So: 5 stars to you, Za!
(5)Dave M.
Za is amazing. From the pizzas that don't change on the menu to the specials board you can't go wrong. My friend and I go there often and are more than satisfied each time. I still dream about one of the specials we had...chorizo, swiss, mustard, and dill pickles..sounds strange but it was truly the best tasting pizza I've ever had. Not to worry, they have plain cheese pizzas for those who like to keep it simple. If you haven't gone there yet go...NOW!
(5)Anastasia C.
We've been a few times to this location (I just noticed there's one near Central/MIT, too). and its always been good. We typically split one salad and one pizza between us and leave satisfied. The desserts usually call my name, but we don't always end up getting one. We've tried a couple of salads but keep coming back to the avocado one. Its really good and always tastes fresh. I don't think I've tried any of their regular menu pizzas. We always go for one of the seasonal specials. Its kind of pricey, but I don't mind. Like Flat Bread in Davis they seem to try to stick as closely as they can to local, in season ingredients and I'm happy to pay a little extra for that.
(5)S B.
I really like this place. Its right down the street from my boyfriends house, so we go there often. Its a small little place with really great pizza. We went there last night, and there was a problem with my order, and the manager immediately came and talked to us and fixed it. My only problem with this place is the service from the servers themselves. The are mediocre and don't go above and beyond. Our server last night was M.I.A. for most of our meal. But the managers there are fantastic and always walking around the floor and greeting guests and such. all in all this place is a great choice for any pizza lover!
(4)P S.
I'm a pizza enthusiast, no doubt. From Zacharys in California to DiFara's in NY. And to me...well.....Za' just isn't really pizza. ....Sorry! It's good, pretty good. It's definetely round and has some cheese on it. But the fact is that it's kind of just a specialty bread and topping place. You can't just put anything you want on some dough and call it pizza! Where's the sauce? The mozzarella? This review is sure to get some angry responses but I really did sorta like the place. Really! I had the Carlson Orchard's Peaches, Roasted Duck, Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Basil, and Toasted Walnuts "pizza" The mixture of the cheese and the peach was interesting and tasty, but the duck was just sorta hanging out and not doing much. I also had some of a Elbow Macaroni, Caramelized Onions, Cream Sauce, Four Cheeses, and Toasted Bread Crumbs "pizza" They were both fairly tasty but not quite up to par with the satisfaction I get from 9 out of 10 corner pizza shacks in Brooklyn. It was kind of just alot of talk and not too much follow through. I've had "specialty pizzas" before and liked them more than this place. Not to sound like too much of a hater or anything :)
(3)Aaron B.
Huge fan of Za. I'm not a big fan of pretentiousness, and this definitely seems like the type of place that would be steeping in it, but they manage to walk the fine line well and delivery quirky, tasty food. Warning: if you're looking for *pizza*, you're barking up the wrong tree. To compare this to a normal pizza joint is [insert stock simile about produce]. They might call them pizzas, but they're very, very different and worthy of evaluation on a completely different scale. If you go with one other person, get individual salads before the pizza -- I have yet to get a bad salad there -- and then split a pizza. (Or get two pizzas and bring some home). Service is always friendly, and if you ask, they're happy to voice their opinions on which pizza or salad is best. They're also one of the select few restaurants in Arlington that serve beer and wine, so that's a nice addition.
(5)Shaina S.
My mom is very very picky about her food. Everything has to be uber healthy, yet delicious. Amazingly, she had not a single complaint about Za, and to me that warrants 5 stars automatically. Between three of us, we got two salads and two pizzas. The salads weren't too big but they were delicious. The special salad was a Hass Avocado, Mexican-esque salad packed into a cylinder shape. We wrote down every single ingredient in it and analyzed proportions (after devouring it, of course), all set to re-create it at home. It was that good. The pizzas were funky and unique, but delicious. Mashed potatoes instead of marinara was surprisingly light and tasty and the Mac & Cheeza pretty much fulfilled my expectations. I wasn't a huge fan of the figs on my pizza, but overall the crust was perfectly thin (thought not cracker-like) and crispy. There is a standard "make your own" menu for the less daring diners. The decor is pleasant, dark wood and fun cartoon-y paintings of Boston for sale. All in all, Za is definitely worth parallel parking for.
(5)Cara P.
Sure it's only Pizza. Yet, there is pizza. And then there is ZA's pizza. Nothing can come close to my Pini's. Trust me Pini's is great-but it is 80% mental and small% convenience-that is why I love it so much and it is a cure all. For me, Za's come close. My sister wrote a few reviews down and I just saw a new one, so I figured it was time to write a review based on my YELP profile's answer to last meal on earth. FIG AND GORGONZOLA CHEESE PIZZA. First, I had the fresh mozz, beefstake and balsamic salad as well. If I never ate a piece of meat in my life, I live on slices of these local farm fresh tomatoes. Heavenly. Not acidic. Deserving of their OWN two buns. *love* Someone else out table, ordered a small Fig and Gogonzola cheese pizza. I tried it and thought to myself. Yup. This is as good as it gets. Did you ever have a piece of pizza melt in your mouth? No? Now you can. Slices cut so perfect and with purpose .... to be home for toppings galore. These slices won't let you down. No sagging here. It will stay erect and hold those toppings proud. Even though it is only dough, it is proud of its life long purpose....to be a delivery mechanism for the most luscious toppings ever....fig and gorgonzola..... When it is just an after thought in my tummy, the next in line is always ready to hold and proudly present the most mouthwatering toppingsof your choice. Dare I say they are "gourmet like?"...yet, not so much that you won't chill in one of Za's red leather booths and squint your eyes, to check out their chalkboard menus.......what a perfect combo!
(4)N B.
Worst pepporoni pizza i've everr had. The crust was hard and tough, sauce was super salty. Dominos and Pizza hut make better pizza than them
(2)Britt H.
Try to imagine what suburbanites think a hip urban pizza restaurant looks like--aluminum, low light, counterintuitive combinations of ingredients, high concept salads. Well, I guess they got all that right, but the food is no good. The beet and goat cheese salad came in a cylindrical mold (modern) but was underflavored. The exotic pizza topping combinations were no more than the sum of their parts. Expensive and uninspiring, I will not be revisiting Za. It made me feel foolish.
(2)Joseph C.
Excellent pizza and salad. Had a fig and gorgonzola pizza there last week. And a great beet salad. This place has been great since it opened its doors......
(5)Pito S.
Nice place with unique pizzas. Good atmosphere except for the guy sitting at the next table from me :) I'd def go again!
(5)Hiten J.
Good variety of pizzas
(4)Kristyn F.
I absolutely love their fig/gorgonzola and mac & cheese pizzas!
(5)Jim S.
Very good non-traditional pizza (it's not thin crust, nor thick crust). Also nice array of interesting non-traditional salads. I would avoid the temptation to always order from the specials and make up your own combo. I find the specials a little weird sometimes - you know it's not necessarily the case that you can pair absolutely anything with absolutely anything else. On one occasion, two of them had potatoes as a topping. Well, maybe, but on half your specials? Great service and cozy setting.
(4)Christopher S.
Updating this from 4/5 to 5/5. I previously gave it 4/5 because it was my first visit: it was good, but the goodness might have been a fluke. Just went back for a second trip, and it's no fluke: it's just plain good. It's a 5/5. The combinations they come up with are excellent, the two waitresses we've had have been very friendly, quick, and accurate, and the prices are good too.
(5)Patricia O.
This restaurant is awesome! It's a great place to gather with friends, and enjoy a great meal! The service is outstanding. They truly care about your dining experience. Also, if you don't have a lot of time, then this is the place to go. The service is extremely fast, and accurate!
(5)Kerri O.
It's not that the pizza's aren't great. Yummy in the tummy, all the way. I can't give this place the 5 star rating because they are expensive, and I'm a cheap Yankee. Plus, the place is a bit precious for me. I like my pizza places staffed by warm, yet gruff folks who grew up making pizzas, not trained chefs. The dear departed Emma is still my favorite.
(4)Carrie M.
I wasn't supposed to have lunch here, but due to the chosen location no longer being open for lunch, my friend suggested Za, and I'm glad she did. Za is like a remixed version of Emma's, at least that was the comparison I made. They have creative pizzas, but with only about eight to choose from the menu is not as overwhelming as Emma's (don't get me wrong, I love Emma's!) We started with salads, I followed the waitresses suggestion and went with the avocado salad. It was amazing and I can see why she said she could eat it everyday. My friend got the Greek style salad, and I tried a bite and it was also really good. For pizza, we split the chicken & broccoli minus the chicken as I'm a vegetarian. The pizza was perfect, a great balance of all the ingredients. I was full, but at the same time I just couldn't stop eating. The dessert menu looked creative and delicious, unfortunately I did not have room to try anything. Next time though...goat cheese cheesecake, could be addicting! I can't wait to go back and try more....
(5)betsy y.
Very friendly folks, cute packaging for carry out, tiny eat-in shop. My husband loved the flavor, but I found it peculiarly sweet, reminiscent of beer-batter. They only sell 10-inch pizzas, but they seemed bigger than the ones at Bertucci's.
(4)Monique Y.
I have eaten at Za and had take out food from there many times over the past few years and I have to say it never disappoints. The most recent visit was last weekend. We ordered 2 salads: the cucumber, tomato, kalamata, feta cheese salad which is my husband's favorite and the avocado, black bean salad, which was a first try and was great. For pizza we ordered the one with Kimball Farm's Little Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, Kalamata Olives, Basil, Mozzarella, Fontina and Feta. Upon picking up the food for takeout there was a slight wait, but the waiter invited me to sit and offered me a drink while waiting. Great customer service, even though they were slammed! I would recommend it to anyone and would definitely continue to go there for healthy and delicious meals.
(5)Casey F.
Pizza is my passion. Za's pizZA is decent - original toppings, chewy but kind of flat crust. The experience is really enhanced by their wonderful, tasty, out of the box salads and a nice wine/beer list. I always enjoy the beet-goat-cheese-orange salad. Last night I got a pizza with creme freche, red onions galore, capers, and smoked salmon. It tasted like brunch pizza. I would have been better off with a different choice... but c' le vie! Atmosphere is decent, a little chilly with the door. Recommend calling ahead. I enjoy a Za or two here per year, but don't go too far out of my way to get here.
(4)Laura T.
This place just makes me happy! The salads are light and flavorful. The iceberg wedge is unbelievably tasty and is topped only by the avocado/black bean sald. After trying several of their pizzas, I'd have to go with the mission fig/caramelized onion/gorgonzola or maybe the seasonal pizza with bing cherries and goat cheese. They're all so tasty, it's hard to choose. Also, the place itself has a really fun vibe, not to mention a friendly staff. If you go during busy hours there's a comfortable indoor bench area where you can wait for a table while enjoying a beverage. This is definitely a place a take friends when they come to town.
(5)J P.
I'll give Za 3 stars for their creativity and crunchy, locally grown appeal, but I find Za's pizza surprisingly lacking flavor. Their sauce is too spicy and the cheese and crust lack zip. Certainly not offensive and I have always cleaned my plate, but, like any place where the server asks if you have dined there before and gives you a shpeel about how unique and awesome they are, I expect more of a "wow" factor when i'm chewing
(3)Liza M.
love ZA! I especially love the black mission fig pizza. it is the best!! another fave is the one with roasted peppers. salads are really creative and delicious as well. I love taking people here that are visiting from out of town
(5)Hillary M.
I found this place on Yelp as a nice meeting point for friends coming from various parts of Metro Boston. It was perfect for our weeknight dinner - no wait, big booth, frequent water fills, and good, reasonably priced food. I had the chalkboard specials - the apple and sausage, and the sweet potato and pancetta (I think? Might have been bacon?). We all shared the tomato salad. Fantastic!!!! The pizzas were a little boring, despite the hype about the exotic flavor/ ingredients. I will say that the fig and gorgonzola pizza my friend ordered was out of this world. Full of flavor with a great crust. I wish I'd gotten that one. One pizza is more than enough per person - sort of a tragedy because I wanted to have room for the very tempting desserts! The bathroom was clean, servers were attentive, and there was plenty of street parking. I'll go back to try some of the other pizza toppings.
(3)Haviva P.
I like Za and, for a neighborhood place, this hits the spot. Their use of local and fresh ingredients will always keep me coming back for more and I LOVE their beet salad. It only get 3 stars because the truth is that the pizza is just not great. Admittedly I am a pizza snob, but I just wish the crust was a little thinner and it all had a little more kick. With that said, the way to go when ordering at Za is the more unusual the better. As wacky as the specials may sound, they are what to order. The standard pizzas just seem to fall a bit flat for me. If you live in East Arlington, this is definitely worth heading to - grab a beer, one of their awesome salads and share a pizza and you will certainly leave happy.
(3)Patryce S.
I love their pizza!!! Very, very creative and their chalkboard specials are to die for. They buy their ingredients from local farmers and you can definately tell! Only reason they get a 4 star is because we ordered pizza's there for take-out on 2 occasions and both times they gave us the wrong pizza. But they did give us a certificate for next time for a free pizza which was nice...but we would have rathered the right pizza we ordered in the first place :)
(4)Gina M.
I love Za's creative pizzas. The medium weight crust is an interesting change from the cracker-ish pizzas that dominate the gourmet pizza scene. The pizzas aren't drowning in EVOO like at Figs, and are more filling than at Emma's. Their salads (esp the beet salad) are wonderful. You'd pay much more $ for salads of that quality at most places. Overall, it's a great bargain, too! ===== Editing to say....I completely agree with the reviewer below that for 2 people, ordering 2 salads and 1 pizza is perfect!! The pizzas don't look that big, but since they are thicker, splitting one works out quite nicely.
(5)Marcy S.
Two things make Za great: The staff and the selection. SELECTION: Where else can one get cherries on a pizza? Their ingredients are procured from Verrill Farm with delectable results. The menu features an ever-changing collection of unique pizza concoctions, and one can be reasonably assured that old favorites will be provided as well (as long as the ingredients are in-season!) *** note *** Until recently, Za had one of the best crusts in the biz. It was thin without being wimpy, crispy without being hard, and was the perfect taste and consistency to complement their creations. However, to the alarm, dismay, and disappointment of many, they have changed their crust. It is no longer thin, can be doughy, and tastes like a water-logged cracker. What's on top of the pizza, though, is still great! Also? The soda is ALWAYS flat. Since the restaurant opened, the soda has never once had any carbonation. I don't know what the problem is, but it's perpetual. STAFF: Yes, the ever-present manager does seem to keep a tight rein on his workers, but in the restaurant business, I think that's probably crucial. The man has always been pleasant to customers, is engaging without being intrusive, and seems to genuinely care whether or not the meal was enjoyable.
(4)Kara B.
Blah yuppie pizza. Fresh ingredients tortured into combinations that I'm sure they think are nouvelle and tres hip, but basically, give me a great crust (theirs is kinda dead and oddly spongy), a lovely sauce and fresh mozzarella and keep the add ons simple and honest. Salads are also rather overwrought. The dressing on mine was a mess! Too sweet and thick. Nice looking place, ok vibe, but pizza, not so much.
(2)Steven S.
Ah, Za. In a part of the country with a short growing season and a lack of Green-totalitarianism, I was pleasantly surprised to find a place that specializes in organic, locally-grown ingredients on top of lovingly prepared pizza. This was the favorite 'za place of my friend that took me here, nestled away in Arlington, where I was pleased to see such a variety and quality of eating establishments away from the center of Boston. We arrived on a Saturday evening around 6:30PM to a decently-sized line spilling out of the restaurant. Fortunately, it was an easy wait, as the host offered us the drink menu and a spot on a bench near the kitchen, sheltered from the near-freezing temperatures outside. We were seated after about a 20 minute wait. Great service. Appetizer: 1. A Mexican salad of sorts, composed of Haas avocados, tomatoes, black beans, red onions, and cilantro, topped with sour cream and "tortilla crunchies", and formed in a ring-mold. Fresh ingredients, balanced nicely... sort of like a really chunky guacamole; not the most original idea, but pulled-off well. The 'za: 1. This was a real treat: black mission figs, sweet onion, Gorgonzola, Verrill Farm's parsley, and Italian white truffle oil. We asked them to add smoked bacon to it... I mean, pork makes everything better, right? The crust was thin-crust, but had enough body to be a real crust, and not a cracker, like some other "thin-crusts" tend to be. It's too bad this is one of their "Chalkboard Specials"; I'd be tempted to order it again every time I'm in town. Dessert: 1. Honey lavender creme brulee: just like it sounds. Sometimes lavender-containing dishes honestly tend to have too much lavender, but this was properly balanced and oh-so-tasty! I never expected a place like this in a Boston suburb. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Rod B.
A good sign of a quality restaurant: There's a salad on the specials board that required four lines on the chalkboard to describe. Went with friends, and had a slap-up dinner. Original plans to get three pizzas and share between six, turned into buying five to eat at the table, and two more to take home for snacking the next day! Highly recommended.
(5)Rich O.
I had people keep telling me I would hate this place. Too pretentious, etc etc. Kind of makes me shake my head but whatever. So, yes it's basically salad and pizza but the selection is tight and on point. I got a 10", thin, crispy pizza with maple bacon and pepperoni (as the owner/manager type called the veggie pizza when he delivered it...what a card). It was good and a perfect size for one person of my dimensions. It's a little pricier then a typical pizza joint and small so there can be waiting by all and all I liked it! I will definitely go back again
(4)Jim W.
This place makes good pizza. It also gives lots of options (that is, if you want pizza). They also have really good salads (which I have only shared). The salads are pretty creative, including some that do not have lettuce, but not too crazy and the pizzas have plenty of options if you want to make something really personal. I have had several different pizzas and they have all been good. I think the beer selection makes this place even better. It does not have a wide selection but it did have a few excellent unique choices. I suggest this place be called Zahhhh!
(5)Dave D.
Not your average pizza! I've fallen in love with this place and go at least once a month. After living off of Santarpios for a few years, this place is such a drastic difference. - The place is small but can accommodate a party of any size. They have large booths and tables that overlook Mass. Ave. - The wine/beer selection isn't big but you'll most likely find something you like. - The pizzas (if you can call them that) are strange and interesting but really yummy. If you're a picky eater, well you might want to look elsewhere. If you like almost anything for food definitely try this place. Where else will you find fig or pear or mac n' cheese on a pizza. They have crazy concoctions but they are yummy. I go with a work crew once a month and everyone has their favorite! - The salads are also quite yummy. - Slightly on the higher priced side (for a pizza place anyway), you do get good value for your food. Definitely try ZA if you're in the mood for a change. You won't be disappointed.
(4)izzy g.
amazing pizzas and salads. innovative, fearless, and most improtantly flavorful/delicious. I'll be back many-a-time!
(5)Katherine B.
Excellent customer service! My pizza came out burnt but they brought me a new one right away and gave it for free. Also gave my husband a free dessert for his bday. Yummy food, good prices, great service! Decor leaves something to be desired. Would definitely go back.
(4)Julie H.
Za is perfection on a plate. Everything about the pizzas is well-made and tasty. The crust is a fantastic middle ground between thin and doughy - it's just exactly tasty and chewy enough. Sauce and toppings are fresh, original, local, and so very flavorful. I'm a big fan of basic cheese, which highlights exactly how high-quality everything is about the pizzas. I also like the original combinations they come up with - especially the pear/gorgonzola/walnut pizzas. I really like the avocado salad (which is more guac than salad). I'm not a big fan of the chocolate goat-cheesecake; it's very goat-y, but it is well-made, and if you like "stinky" cheese, you may well love it. It's very often packed with a long wait on a weekend - go during the week. Or be lucky enough to live nearby!
(4)Leann F.
Yummy pizza aside, this place is my salad soul mate! Only two salads include greens, and since I don't get the idea that every salad needs to be based on 70% greens, 30% deliciousness, I loved this place! I had the butternut squash salad with tart apples, red onions, and smoked goat cheese with toasted walnuts and maple vinaigrette. YUM, what a great combination of sweet and smoky-- and the textures worked great together. The pizzas were quite good, too. I had the pizza with potato puree, shiitake mushrooms, sweet onion, gruyere, Italian white truffle oil, parmesan, and scallions. Our waitress was very giiddy/quirky (or maybe a bit tipsy) but she was very helpful in selecting wine and explaining the menu. I'll definitely be back to try more of the green-free salads!
(5)Luke B.
Some of the best pizza I've had in the boston area. Very creative special pizzas and salads. They partner with local farms on a good bit of their produce and many of the specials feature local seasonal ingredients. Consistent deliciousness. The salads are very intentionally created and presented, it won't be what you expect...it'll be better and more beautiful. Very simple accessable menu but done to the nines. Decent wine and beer selections for the price range, consistent to the concept. Family friendly, great service staff and the managers are very nice and actually working, bussing, etc which is always great to see. The avocado salad & the potato salad with cucumbers are wonderful, light flavorful, perfect portion size. I think I've gotton sausage and mushroom pizza both times I've gone, almost enticed by the specials but if there's a time to eat sausage it's at a pizza joint with a focus on local fresh ingredients. Will be back consistently.
(4)Brent M.
This place was decent, but I'm really kind of stunned that so many people gave it five stars. I mean - it's good and all, but it's definitely not "I wet my pants it was so good" good. The place is a little cramped. Once I got into my seat on a relatively crowded Friday night, there was no moving. And it was butt-cold outside, and every time somebody came in the front door I got a blast of arctic air in the face. They vainly tried to put up some curtains behind the door to shield us, but it was trifling. The food was decent, but on the waitresses recommendation, my wife and I split a pizza and it was definitely not enough food. Go with one pizza per person. The toppings were interesting, but I once again got the feeling that the place was trying too hard to be "alternative." I'm all for culinary creativity, but when you are just doing it to get attention and "oohs" and "aahs" rather than because things go well together, you are really whoring your restaurant. Definitely seems like this is a hangout for people who like that granola vibe. One big saving grace was the wine selection. My wife and I got a few glasses of some various reds and were pleased with the wide variety and good quality of the options. So overall, I might go back, but I'm really not all that into potatoes on my pizza or calling a half a head of lettuce with some dressing a "salad", so I won't be making any special trips.
(3)Emily D.
Holy crap, I had the fig, gorgonzola, and truffle oil pizza here and nearly fell out of my chair it was so good. I'm not talking, "damn this greasy pizza hits the spot" good, but actually inventive culinary good. They don't have a bar though, so be prepared to wait in on a cramped bench. Trust me, it's worth the wait.
(5)Todd D.
Creative. Delicious. Friendly.
(5)D B.
Mmmm yummy pizza, salad and wine. Sounds like a perfect dinner to me. The pizza's are a good size to split and go great with the salad and wine. There are a lot of specials on the board to help you choose your perfect pizza. I found it best to watch what the waiters brought to other tables and make my choice according to those. They all looked delic. so it was harder than I thought.
(4)Kevin M.
EXCELLENT tasting pizza!! I have to admit, this may be the one good reason to go to Arlington. Very creative pizzas accent the menu. I would even say it's better than PICCO... (Except Picco has a wide range of alcohol... Hmmm tough call)
(4)Paulette B.
This is one of the few pizza places I go to. I am not one who enjoys the standard pizza. I have tried. I have asked people what they like about those cardboard disks covered with overcooked tomato sauce. Za has very different and unique ingredients you never tire of. I had apricot and duck sausage... it was great. I just think your pizza should have interesting toppings. If you are looking for boring pepperoni (yawn ) keep on driving and get out of my way.
(5)Leah S.
i love this place - the salads and pizzas are always great (although i always order my fav. - avocado salad and mushroom pizza) and it's the perfect place for a casual but good dinner. don't usually order desserts but they have been good the few times i've tried them.
(4)Angela S.
I really enjoyed this pizza place. You should only dine here if you are in the mood for gourmet or more exotic tasting pizza. They have regular cheese but thier specialties are interesting pizzas topped with potatoes, pears, spinach and gorganzola cheese! They also have delicious salads such as ice berg lettuce wedges covered with bleu cheese and bacon bits. The pizzas are small and a little pricy but they are prepared well with a lot of fresh ingredients. I would highly recommend trying this place!
(4)Beth M.
UPDATE: Finally actually went to Za on a recent weekend with some friends and it was a great time. It is super crowded but we called ahead and got seated really quickly. The creative pizza and salad combinations were great. Good times! We'll definitely be back. __________________________________________________Â_ Got take-out from Za with friends. I had wanted to try this place and had no idea the pizza we were eating was from Za until about half way through the meal. It's funny-- though the pizza was delicious, I was definitely expecting more of a Cambridge One-type pizza from the other reviews-- but it wasn't like that at all. These pizzas had a lot more substance, and definitely rocked a real pizza crust, rather than a flat bread crust. We tried the pepperoni, a couple of really creative veggie combinations, and then something with pesto. I wish I knew better, but our friends were so excited about their new fave pizza place that they did all the ordering and the pizza was there when we arrived at their house! I definitely want to venture out to Arlington to try the actual restaurant!
(4)Morgan P.
One of the best pizzas I've had in a long time!! Very reasonable prices, great selection of unique pizzas, absolutely delicious. We'll definitely be coming back here soon.
(5)Tamara W.
Fabulously creative and fresh pizzas and salads. I've eaten there several times and have always enjoyed my meal! The service is friendly and attentive. The last time I was there they had good beer specials; I think my partner and I each ordered something different and I remember them both being good. I don't usually drink wine with pizza, so I can't comment on that. Note on the salads: a couple times now I have ordered a salad and expected to get whatever the featured ingredients were (beets and goat cheese, cucumbers and feta, etc) on top of a bed of greens. What I got was a lot of the featured ingredients, beautifully arranged on the plate, and no greens. This turned out not to be a bad thing and both salads were delicious. But if you want a big pile of lettuce, and lettuce isn't in the description of the salad, you may be disappointed.
(5)Jim K.
I took a friend from out of town here for lunch. It's casual, but nice. The menu features unique combinations for salads and pizzas. We shared the mac and cheese pizza which was awesome and each had our own salad. I forget what mine was called, but it was similar to a greek salad. Both the salad and the pizza were great and the staff was attentive. Great spot for a casual lunch/dinner with good service, casual atmosphere, and not a lot of fuss.
(4)Corey H.
I've been back to ZA several times and I think they deserve another star just for the freshness of the food, if not the consistant quality and afordable pricing. Everything is local (except for the wine...what's up with that?). My only quam is with the excessive, inexperienced waitstaff, who remind me of too many balls in a pinball machine...rolling around all willy nilly with no purpose and ocasionally bumping into eachother. I wonder why they all look so nervous all the time?
(4)M. H.
Za is a great place if you have an adventurous mind. When I first went there, I did not like the pizza I chose (I think it was the goat cheese and garlic one and somewhat blend), but since I have tried the chalkboard special pizzas, and they have been very good. These menu items change based on the seasonal ingredients. If it sounds interesting, try it! The first one had pickles (yum!), and yesterday I tried the one with gala apples and homemade pork sausage. It was a combination flavors that marinated wonderfully (sweet, fruity, salty...). Their salads are wonderful too. My favorite is definitely the beet salad.
(4)Michael K.
My friend lived 1 block away from here but had never been. So we went for lunch one day. We were the only ones there and it took 40 minutes to get our portobello mushroom, roasted pepper garlic and goat cheese pizza. We did have some good beer to keep us busy. When the pizza finally came out it was delicious...but maybe it was because we were so hungry.
(3)Kat R.
I've been to Za's quite a few times and it's always been a good experience. My all time favorite is the Beet salad. Holy delicious-ness! Mac n cheese pizza is pretty good, but sometimes a little bland (my friend gets it everytime we go). My favorite is the onion & pepper. YUM! Very nice staff. We usually hang out for a while catching up and they have never rushed us. Great place! Street parking, but I can usually find something around the corner.
(4)C.M. M.
Good bizarre pizza.
(3)Hilary C.
Huge fan of this restaurant! Great for foodie dates and casual get togethers alike. I chose to go here for my birthday this year. They have both a delicious regular menu, a chalkboard menu that highlights seasonal ingredients that changes every week, as well as a respectable beer list. Had delicious avocado salad with a cumin-lime vinaigrette. Albeit, I'm a sucker for avocado anyway, bit it was extra yummy. Also had a pizza with figs, gorgonzola and carmelized onions. (Oh, i'm getting hungry while writing this...) The crusts are thin and fired in the brick oven, so there was a lovely smokey flavor too. The other pizza was the chicken and broccoli with garlic and four cheeses. What can i say? Delicious and crispy. For the final note: goat cheese panna cotta!! While my first discovery of panna cotta was at this restaurant, I prefer their regular panna cotta to the goat cheese version (I think it's a texture issue for me). Still, with the blackberries and whipped cream, it's still an unctuous dessert. In general, Za has everything a good restaurant should have, friendly staff, warm atmosphere, well-prepared, delicious food, and prices that don't make you cry. Nice work Za!
(4)Jeff B.
Pizza in Arlington is terrible! It was terrible in 2001 and the scene hasn't improved much since. There are two exceptions I know of. One is Maria's (look them up). But if you are in the mood for creative pizza and salads this is the place to go. Here's why: 1. Atmosphere is cozy for some wine or beer with your meal. Simple furnishings but dim lighting even makes for a nice date spot. 2. Service is always top notch. The host and waitstaff are always very friendly and have terrific recommendations. 3. I've never had a bad experience at Za. There are endless possibilities no matter what your pallet is in the mood for. From salads to pizza to dessert your mouth will be left begging for more. 4. Contrary to some other reviewers' opinions, I think the portion sizes are just right. Restaurants tend to oversize their plates, which can be good if you want to take home a doggy bag. But in this case I wouldn't be able to stop myself so I'm glad Za knows when to say when. Besides when you see what's on the menu, you'll want to order two pies so you can share with your friends.
(4)Huan z.
The salad is beautiful made in a cone shape. Very yummy and tasty. The pizzas are awesome! if I have never ate at Emma's and Veggie plant, I would vote this the best pizza place in town. They are very creative on their pizza because I had strawberry pizza.
(3)Betty W.
Za is our favorite eat-in-and-have-leftovers weekend restaurant. I love the specials with fruit if some sort (e.g., Fig and gorgonzola, peach and duck breast, etc), and my partner frequently adds their great sausage to one of them if it's not already meat-enabled. Neither of us are found of the idea of potatoes on pizza, but sometimes the ones with pureed squash are interesting. The salads are not too big for one person, but ample enough for two to share if you want to have room for pizza and dessert. The desserts usually include some variety of creme brulee, a pie-type item, and something chocolate. The beer specials can be interesting, and change weekly. Best time to go on the weekend is off-dining time (late lunch or early dinner). The do not take reservations, but you can call ahead to get on the waiting list if it's busy. Or just pick up for takeout. We go here a couple times a month if we can.
(5)Greg L.
I am convinced this place uses frozen Boboli shells for their pizza crust. This place is awful. The menu is misleading and it is insanely overpriced. We got a pizza with potato puree, shitake mushrooms, truffle oil, and melted fontina. Where was the truffle oil and the mushrooms? I think I counted three mushrooms on my pizza, and if you know the smell of truffle oil, it is so pungent and delicious you can smell it from a mile a away. There was none on this pizza. Extremely disappointing... We also ordered a tomato/mozzarella pizza with chorizo and caramelized onions. The onions were not caramelized, which is a common theme with these reviews. By the way when you order a tomato/mozzarella pizza you are not getting what you think. Usually I think of slices of tomato and fresh mozz. Not here, instead you are getting a Mama Celeste knock off with bad tomato sauce and shredded mozz. No need to get into the service or atmosphere, the crappy pizza speaks for itself....
(1)Annie B.
Ok place but not WOW. Take out service convenient.
(3)J D.
If you have 5 star salads, 5 star beer, and funky toppings why does your pizza look and taste like it came from Chuck-E-Cheese? Ingredients like this need great dough, sauce and a wood-fired oven to make them shine. Seems like Za skipped pizza 101 and went right to crazy toppings make better pizza class.
(3)Doris W.
I finally made it here! I've been wanting to try this restaurant ever since I saw my friend's pictures of the pizzas she got. Looked very good. I was with 3 friends and we ordered 2 salads: hass avocado and potato with cucumbers. I was surprised at how small the salads were but then again, I'm here for the pizza. The hass avocado was my favorite. Loved the flavors and textures. The potato salad one could've used more potatoes. But that's just me, I love potatoes. But it was very refreshing. We ordered 3 pizzas: pepperoni & sausage, duck w/peaches, and figs. I loved the crust! It was nice and crispy and not too thin. The pepperoni and sausage was good. The duck was sort of a disappointment. The meat was dry and the peaches were kind of dry. The pecans were falling off. It was a bit hard to eat but the combination is best when you get all of those ingredients in one bite. However, my friends and I agreed it was missing something. The figs were a surprise to me. Gorgonzola can be real heavy but for some reason it worked. It was my favorite pizza of the night. Since we went out for my birthday, they gave me a complimentary dessert. I decided on the chocolate goat cheesecake. Honestly, I wasn't crazy about it. I think the taste was a little overwhelming for me. We also ordered the pecan pie and lemon tart. I really enjoyed the lemon tart. The pecan pie was just okay. The crust was good though. Service was really great and the atmosphere was very casual. The food is not cheap but I'd take quality any time. Will have to go back to try the other pizzas.
(4)Vanilla P.
The Za staff is awesome - super friendly with fast service. This is important when you've got a little one who may or may not decide to happily sit through dinner. Everytime I go, I order the avocado salad with bread and butter jalepenos. It's a perfect balance of cool, creamy, crunchy, spicy and sweet. HOW DO THEY DO IT? I try to order a pizza from their chalkboard specials each time I go. These pizzas have extremely fresh local produce and meats, and capture the bounty of the season. Get anything with truffle oil - they know how to use it and make it perfect.
(5)jylcat R.
Really didn't expect that much when coming here and boy was I surprised. The staff was so friendly when we walked in at lunch that we were confused... are we still in the Boston area? Very nice, seemed very sincere, this continued throughout our meal. Which was AMAZING. Fantastic gourmet pizza. We had the mac and cheese pizza (I know, crazy right? but oh so freaking awesome)... elbow macaroni, cheese, cheese, cheese, garlic, breadcrumbs? omg. I think I died and went to starch heaven. We also tried the portabella pizza with goat cheese, roasted red peppers and carmelized onions - fantastic! I wish I could have a pizza that is one slice of everything they have. There wasn't a thing on the menu that I wouldn't want to try. Can't wait to go here again!
(5)Jamie L.
P.S. WOW!!! Seriously I had no idea veggies could be so good on a pizza! It is something I tend to avoid because I hate the sog factor. Broccoli and tomatoes are the two hardest things to get right on a pie, but not only did they do it awesomely, they did it together! The veggies are freakin' fresh, and I mean that literally and figuratively!!!
(5)Ilene F.
A terrific combination of neighborhood joint, gourmet pizza and unordinary beer list. I've been here a number of times and find the pizzas consistently good and the service consistently inconsistent. Still, that's not enough of a drawback to keep me away. It's very similar to Stone Hearth in Belmont Center, where families and regular folk can dine in harmony. The portion size isn't huge, but I'm one of those "one slice too many" types, so it's just as well. When I go with a friend, we get two different pizzas, share a salad, drink a beer, and are perfectly content. The fig, Gorgonzola and caramelized onion pizza is wonderful.
(4)Amelia G.
I have adored ZA since I first went in Arlington. Yummy adventurous pizzas, cool composed salads, it is always a win. I bet your parents would love it. Plus, now it is in such a cute little location on the canal, it is like sightseeing, even for us Cam natives!
(4)JohnnyFoodface ..
If they had a take-out place with modestly-priced larger-sized versions of the culinary delights they create at Za, they would probably dominate the metro Boston area. Friendly manager, interesting and delicious food, good beer selection, boisteriously intimate environment, and a bookshelf of piggies. Ya gotta love Za
(5)Matt S.
The food is awesome as always. But how could you mistake "portabella" with "sweet potato"? I guess they're both kind of in trochaic dimeter, yes.
(4)Jessica B.
I would recommend Za whether you live in the area or are visiting. They use a lot of local ingredients and you really can taste the difference! The first time I went to Za was in the summer. If I wanted I could have ordered the more traditional cheese pizza but I ordered off the Specials Black Board Menu. The pizza had local strawberries, goat cheese and caramelized onions. I still dream about it and can't wait till strawberries are in season! MMm Mmm Mmm! Since then, I've tried many pizzas off the Specials Menu and have not been disappointed.
(5)C P.
My husband and I love this place so much, we had our wedding rehearsal dinner there. Instead of reserving the whole place for a Friday night (which would have cost a bundle) the manager let us just make a reservation for 60 at 5 pm. Yep, a reservation for 60. The staff just kept bringing out pizzas and beer and salads...it was great. My personal favorite pizza is sausage, mushroom, and roasted garlic. After eating one, I smell like garlic for 24 hours and it is so, so worth it. All of their pizzas are good--fig, etc...and so are the salads. Favorite salads include the beet salad and any salad that involves a parsnip puree underneath fresh greens. Their desserts, especially the cheesecakes and panna cottas they come up with, are also amazing. Plus, a small but high quality selection of beer and wine. The ambiance is friendly and inviting. It's great! In fact, I think I'll go there for dinner right now...
(5)Kayleigh S.
I could eat at Za every day and never get tired of it. This is not your typical pizza house. The pizzas and salads are inventive and use local seasonal ingredients. I'm generally a picky eater, but I trust Za enough to order whatever they have on special. Even if that means cherries, macaroni, or rhubarb on my pizza.
(5)Shoshanna E.
Impressed that I was offered a drink and a sample taste of pizza while I waited for my friends to arrive. Pizza was tasty but I've had better. Crust kind of reminded me of frozen pizza. Points for inventive combos. Portions a bit small. Really delicious butternut squash salad mixed with apple, etc. Horrible diet soda--I actually sent it back for something else. Bad mix or something. Cozy environment. In all, not sure I'd go back. Maybe.
(3)Joe R.
What makes this a win for me, and scores big with my lady. Go early, 5:30pm, and avoid the crowd. Split a pizza, and get your own salads. Nancy loves the beet salad, and the way they serve it is great. Lots of little things added, that make this salad a hit. Get Nancy a glass of wine. $25 on the table, and we are out of there. SCORE!!
(4)Mike D.
I hate the name of this place. Almost as much as I hate the name "Boston Chowda Company." I used to live around the corner, though, and the "za" itself is great. The person who seemed to be the owner checked up on us too much--and for that matter definitely didn't come across as the sort of person who says "za." Isn't he the owner of EVOO too? I'll never eat at EVOO even though I hear good things about it because of my admittedly irrational hatred of Rachel Ray. Other pro: They have delicious, creative salads. Other con: When we used to go they served too many beers on tap for a small place that doesn't sell much draft beer so there were freshness issues, but then again I was still giddy at the fact that I could drink beer at a restaurant in Arlington in those days.
(3)ali g.
Za is a quaint little place to go with a small party of 2-4. They only serve beer & wine, salad & pizza. Pretty simple, but VERY filling. I've been here twice and on both occasions have left feeling satisfied and enjoyed my time. It's not my favorite pizza, but they do it in their own unique way. The atmosphere of the place is what will bring me back - especially on a rainy, cold day - it's so cozy!
(4)Amanda L.
CHILDREN.EVERYWHERE. Ok, now that I've gotten that out. Za's is pretty tasty. They are a pizza and salad place only, and I was surprised there was actually waitress service. The place (at least menu-wise) seems a little too casual for it to be full service like that. The boys had already ate dinner as Whatta Wing, and us girls didn't feel like having fried chicken wings. Instead, we opted for the Salmon pizza, with capers, creme fraiche, mozzarella, and caramelized onions. There was no sauce on it, which is good, because it didn't need it. There were a lot of options for pizzas, they weren't your run of the mill pepperoni type thing going on. I liked that. And the prices weren't that expensive either. The boys got dessert, lemon tart with raspberries, and chai tea creme brulee. Both were tasty. Service was a bit sluggish. She was nice enough to us, but halfway through the meal she forgot about us entirely. It took forever to get her attention so Jess could order her dessert. Lots and lots of families, and at times, screaming children. But we had a fun time deciding all the kid's futures. All in all, quality place, I probably wouldn't necessarily go out of my way or anything, but if in the area I will definitely stop by again.
(4)scott w.
We met some friends for a saturday night out. They took our 7:30 reservation and we were seated right away. You get a very simple menu in that your choices are pizza and salad. The options for both are diverse. My other got a cucumber tomato onion olives salad all on a potato puree. She really enjoyed it. I got a glass of clown shoes beer that was similar to guinnes, but was very good. For our pizzas, i got a mac and cheese pizza. It had a very cool consistency, and we ate every bit of it. My friend got a sweet potato combination pizza. The fun part was trading slices around for other pizza slices. My other got a chorizo pizza with dill, mustard and other stuff. She took half of it home. There are some cool desserts. I got a rosemary infused creme brulee. Im on the fence between "not sure" and "really liking it". It had a diferent kind of taste, but I did eat every bit of it. Our service was very good. She checked in every now and then. The only etiquette thing we had was the taking of a plate from one person before everyone else is done. And we were definintely the table of people hanging out a little longer after our dinner, but they seemed to subtlely be trying to get us to leave. We got the check a few minutes after our dessert came. After we signed the check, the server picked it up and thanked us. A few minutes later, she thanked us again and started clearing dishes. We got the hint and left soon after.
(4)Chloe B.
Za is delicious. It is also a recent addition to the Scrabble two-letter word list that means "pizza." Thus, it should come as no surprise that Za is all about the pie. "Pizza place" being too deceptively simple a description, I shall go into detail. Here are things that you can get at Za: 1) Wonderful salad and pizza specials, enriched by the freshest seasonal ingredients. 2) A standard menu into which much thought has clearly been put. I had the cucumber and potato salad, it was supremely tasty and beautifully plated. 3) Mind-blowing, unexpected, and delightful flavor combination. Hello there pizza with duck and peaches, please get into my belly now. 4) The best damn panna cotta I have ever had. With fresh whipped cream. CAN YOU GO WRONG THERE? I think not, man. I think not. 5) If you decide to take your unfinished yummies home, you will get to travel with an adorably printed Za paper bag. Such a cute touch...but maybe I'm just a softie.
(4)Heather H.
I checked out Za before heading to a movie at the Capital Theatre. My actual score is a 2.5. When we arrived we were immediately seated. Then we waited. And waited. And waited at least 20 minutes before a very flustered waitress came to take our order for drinks and food. The beet salad I ordered was fairly tasty. Definitely not enough for an entree, but well balanced between the sweet beets and creamy goat cheese. My companion's Greek salad looked nice, but definitely needed seasoning. We split one of their special chalkboard pizzas: apple, cheddar, caramelized onions, and chorizo. Overall the pizza was bland. The apples were cut into a dice, which left them tasteless and mushy. Slices might have been a better cut. The cheese wasn't sharp enough and kind of sank into the background. Now, as others have mentioned, the onions were less than caramelized. Like the half at the outside of the pizza were halfway there and the ones in the center were barely sauteed. I wasn't crazy about the crust, found it heavy and lifeless. The star of the pizza was the chorizo, which was excellent. I will say that the pizza tasted better cold the next day for breakfast. We each had dessert, my lemon tarte came with half frozen (and in one case halfway to moldy) raspberries and a tough as nails crust. Now shame on me for ordering a lemon tarte in January, but shame on Za for not arranging their menu to be more seasonal. My boyfriend's sweet potato pie was... less than good. Mushy. The wine list is marginal but they have a selection of local beers on tap for decent prices. So kudos for the beer list. Overall, I wouldn't come back.
(2)Nancy L.
Za is a great specialty pizza restaurant housed in Arlington along Mass Ave. It's interesting the amounts of varying toppings that they can pile on the pizza dough. Sometime they pair incongruous ingrediants togethers (like mac and cheese on pizza or portobello and goat cheese or sometimes figs) yet the taste is surprisingly rich and come together in harmony. For those who are less adventurous you can pick your own topppings. They also serve great salads that is packed into a hocky-puck-like mold and is not very leafy but very good (ie the beet salad). As for drinks, Za has an assortment of wine and beer. You wouldn't think that pizza would go with wine but somehow Za manages to make the pizza experience transcend your college slice and give you a more grown-up experience with a waitstaff. But that of course requires an acompanying fatter wallet. I personally love the atmosphere of this small restaurant and the decorations. The artwork on the wall changes every so often to feature local artists and you can buy the works. Sometimes they are bizarre, sometimes whimsical, but I look forward to it everytime.
(4)Bob S.
The food is very good...but it is amazing how much the wait staff can take away from the dining experience on a first visit. I understand it can be very difficult waiting on people but our young waitress when delivering things to our table did so as she walked briskly buy...never stopping at our table....(Imagine the Roadrunner as a table server)...drinks ect and tossed the check in the small check holder thingy on our table landing on our left over containers. It did not make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. If she were a relative I would think she didn't like me visiting.
(3)Tom E.
Evidently someone forgot to tell Za and the rest of you how to make a pizza. This was easily the worst tasting pizza I've had in Boston. 50 dollars for 2 small-ish pizzas, a shared salad and wine?! I'd rather buy 3 slices at Hi-Fi, drink a bottle of Charles Shaw and use the remaining dosh to pay Sammy the homeless guy to dance for me. Ok, ok. Maybe that's harsh. The wine wasn't a problem and the service wasn't shocking (but wasn't good either). But deary me, what dreadful pizza. For 10 dollars, you get a 10 inch personal pizza that is the world's stodgiest hard bread base smothered in low quality cheese. If you're dumb enough you'll have fallen for their trick of 'wacky toppings' which will disguise how bad this pizza is. Either way, within 5 minutes of serving you're wondering why bother any more as it's all gone cold and taken on the sort of tough-rubbery texture only associated with sex toys. Looking round I didn't see a single customer that had managed to soldier on and finish their pizza. Everyone was going home with a doggie bag and lots of doggies were gonna be puking later. Ideas for improvement: 1. Expand the menu - 6 salads, 6 pizzas and 3 desserts is not much choice. 2. Improve the decor - amateur paintings and fishing photos of your friends isn't what I pay 50 bucks to see. 3. Learn how to cook a pizza 4. Use good quality ingredients 5. Don't be fucking silly. Watermelon in a salad? Maple Syrup on a pizza? I'm not a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, dude.
(1)Nicolas M.
We have a little family tradition of going every Thursday evening at Za, the food is good, original and locally sourced. The staff is extremely friendly and fun to chat with. They also have a good selection of beers and wine to go well with the food, the Mac and cheese pizza is a must try, my favorite is the Fig and goat cheese pizza and the beet salad!
(5)Sara D.
I stopped in Za one afternoon for lunch and I am so glad I did. I ordered their seasonal arugula salad with walnuts, pears, cranberry, and gorgonzola cheese. It was delicious! I didn't have to wait longer than five minutes for it to be ready. A very quaint place for a first date or small get together!
(5)aine f.
Went there yesterday for lunch- first time there and wouldn't bother going back. Was not impressed at all. NO atmosphere- and the pizza was mediocore at best. On the positive side- the service was good and the salad was great!
(2)M. Deloris D.
For lunch we enjoyed the fig, gorgonzola and truffle oil pizza as well as an arugula salad topped with ricotta salata, strawberries and pecans and dressed with an orange vinaigrette. Everything was delicious and fresh. Za definitely makes a more sincere attempt at California style pizza than CPK and I can appreciate them for that. The true pleaser here was the honey lavender creme brulee which was a delightful surprise. The creme brulee was infused with lavender and laced with honey it was served with a generous scoop of housemade whipped cream. Nothing at Za dissappointed but the dessert was definitely the real star.
(4)Alex L.
The fig, Gorgonzola, truffle oil pizza is spectacular. Another one that sounds good (but isn't as much) is the bing cherry, basil, chevre. Everything else is good but not spectacular. Stick w/ the fig and you'll be golden!
(3)Jake M.
If you can make it past the nauseating preciousness of ZA's name (1), steel yourself, and maybe pray - this is what pizza tastes like in hell. If you are a sinner, ZA may be your wake up call to repent. If you don't care about your soul, or your taste buds, or your stomach, or your wallet, then by all means, sit down, order your undersized, generally undercooked, wackily topped sorry excuse for a pizza (the sorriest I've ever seen) and have at it. You are fooling no one but yourself if you cop to actually enjoying this crud, but alas, the joke's on you. I'd rather eat Ellio's (2) - three days old and reheated twice in the microwave, soggy and drippy and spongey - than ever inflict one of their abominations on my body again ZA is the sort of place that insufferable wannabe urban gourmands flock to and overpraise (or just praise, period) (3) because they really get off on the appearance of indulging in "comfort food", without having to endure the stigma of having to mingle among the unwashed masses. You can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit, friends, no matter how much you protest. ZA - you fail at life. _______________________________________________ 1."ZA"? Really? I wish I could pinpoint the exact wrongness of the name. It's more a general feeling, than anything I can articulate (1a). ZA strikes me as insufferably pretentious and twee, yet at the same time the only people I have here call pizza "za" are Ya Doods and their ilk. "Bro, let's get us some 'za. Make mine with extra rone!" (1a: except maybe the owners somehow realize that what they are trying to pass as pizza here doesn't quite jibe with the common definition, thus they hacked off the first three letters as either a) a way to distinguish their product or b) as an apologia) 2. Or Mama Celeste's. Or Tony's. Or the Red Baron. Or anything else out of my grocer's freezer. 3. See also: All Star Sandwich Bar; Gargoyle's
(1)HyunJoo K.
Just really quick review here, but I went here with my sister and brother in law and nephew :D Had the salad to start off to share "Cucumber, Tomato, Kalamata Olive, Radish, and Potato Salad with Feta Cheese, Fresh Oregano, and Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette" and absoutely loved it! It was unique and tasty - I'm not a salad eater or veggie eater, but this defintely was good with the bed of mashed potatoes on the bottom! mmmm! great combo. I also had a custom chorizo and onion pizza which was very good! I called it a fancy healthy pizza - I guess a lot of their produce come from local places and supposely a lot of their ingredients are all organic - not that I am huge into that, but my older sister is. The rest of the menu, I am sure, is very good and as inventive as the courses I ordered that day. i am sure to go back and get some healthy meals at. I am sure you are to find my older sister with her husband there! I also wanted to note that the environment is very nice - a modern relaxed style to it as well as a great staff that is personable and sophisticated.
(5)A E.
Love this place. Food is always good. If you looking for gooey, oily pizza this is not the place for you. Their salads and pizzas are fun and inventive. The combinations of ingredients they use on their pizzas is really fun. Love their panacotta. I have always found their service to be really good. They do get busy on the weekends so you might have to wait for a table. They also do take out.
(5)David L.
Good but not great pizza, but what can you expect outside of NY, New Haven or the North End. IOW, about as good as you're going to get in your neighborhood. Interesting toppings -- not the usual stuff.
(4)Danielle M.
I went here for lunch the other day - I was kind of unimpressed. For one cup of salad and one 10" pizza it was $26. I'm sorry, did the owner FORGET that they are in Arlington Center, and not the Back Bay?? However, the food was good. My friend and I split the mixed greens salad with the dicon puree and cranberries plus a lot of other stuff. It was interesting. We then split the portobello mushroom pizza that had garlic, tomatoes and feta cheese. that was good as well, but a little on the soggy side for being "cooked to order". I guess my biggest complaint is that their menu items have about a billion ingredients per dish - it is kind of overkill. Like the chef couldn't decide so he/she just decided to throw it all on. Waitstaff is superb. Location is good for lunch. Decor is nice except for all the ceramic pigs and shitty Thomas Kinkade paintings (weird, right?)
(3)kathy r.
My husband craves their mashed potato salad and really any one of their pizzas... there are such amazing combinations and ingredients here. You definitely can't bring someone who's a plain pizza person or has a picky palate; although there are a lot of ingredients you can customize and add to a pizza, this is not your ordinary pizza experience. Wish they had a gluten free crust option. :-(
(4)Maggie B.
There is a time and place for all pizza (well, most pizza) and there is a perfect time for Za Pizza. My favorite time is on Saturday mornings, around 11:30am (a great time as it avoids the evening crowds). Za is quite popular so Saturday mornings, just before lunch, ensures that you get a great table near the window, with bright and cheery servers. The pizza options are varied and awesome and, yes, very gourmet. My favorite pie was last Summer's figs with gorgonzola and truffle oil. It was sincerely a little piece of heaven. My second favorite pie last summer was a gorgeous little number piled with duck and peaches. Yes, the two flavors go together beautifully. Be sure to try it this Summer.
(4)Ken M.
Remember people, go in expecting something different, not your typical shitty greek "pizza" served in the Boston area. If your name is Sully, just turn around, this isn't the place for you. I'm tired of people criticising places for being exactly what they strive to be. In the summer, Za's fig pizza blows Fig Restaurant's Fig Pizza out of the water. Many of the other selections are also good, but I really miss the fig! My issues with this place is that in the winter the menu gets a bit homogenous and if you catch the "B" staff, the service isn't quite as attentive or superb. My coworkers and I frequently go here for lunch and get away for about $12 a piece, sharing everything family style.
(4)Joanne B.
Rhubarb pizza? You bet! This is a warm, friendly place with seasonal pizzas that I love. They're great with kids: when my friend's spunky 6-year old wandered off to admire the collection of piggy banks on the wall, the wait staff accommodated her whims and seemed to honestly enjoy her company. My only problem with Za is that I want to go there all the time.
(5)Sarah S.
Mac n cheese pizza. Nuff said. It's baked, so the mac isn't gooey and oozing all over the place, which is a lovely image, I know. Also, their goat cheese, portabello, and roasted red pepper pizza- excellent. Meyer lemon torte? Ahhh, fantastic, and with tons of fresh raspberries on top. And I'm not even a fan of lemon in dessert. I went for lunch with my parents and boyfriend, and we are big eaters. We're Italian, you know? But we managed to feed four people with one salad, three pizzas, a shared dessert, and some sparkling wine for about $60. Which is quite excellent, in my opinion. A nice, small, intimate-ish restaurant. Go on a date, as it has a nice atmosphere at night. Actually, go for lunch with your siblings/parents/grandparents/aunt/uncle/friends, too, because it's lovely in the afternoon, too. And remember: Mac n cheese pizza. __________________ ETA 06/08: I went to Za again today for an early birthday lunch with my parents and boyfriend, and am giving them the coveted 5th star! Why, you say? Because the service and food were fantastic, there are free refills on the homemade, amazingly delicious iced tea, and the two salads (iceberg/blue cheese wedge and radicchio, pear, and arugula chalkboard special) and three pizzas (mac n cheese, portabella/peppers/goat cheese, and cherry/goat cheese/walnut chalkboard special) were DIVINE. Plus, when my mom proposed a toast to my birthday, our waitress came over and asked what we were celebrating. My mom told her, and, at the end of the meal, the waitress brought over a pistachio creme brulee with a candle, which was so sweet and so unexpected- and freaking delicious to boot! So: 5 stars to you, Za!
(5)Dave M.
Za is amazing. From the pizzas that don't change on the menu to the specials board you can't go wrong. My friend and I go there often and are more than satisfied each time. I still dream about one of the specials we had...chorizo, swiss, mustard, and dill pickles..sounds strange but it was truly the best tasting pizza I've ever had. Not to worry, they have plain cheese pizzas for those who like to keep it simple. If you haven't gone there yet go...NOW!
(5)Anastasia C.
We've been a few times to this location (I just noticed there's one near Central/MIT, too). and its always been good. We typically split one salad and one pizza between us and leave satisfied. The desserts usually call my name, but we don't always end up getting one. We've tried a couple of salads but keep coming back to the avocado one. Its really good and always tastes fresh. I don't think I've tried any of their regular menu pizzas. We always go for one of the seasonal specials. Its kind of pricey, but I don't mind. Like Flat Bread in Davis they seem to try to stick as closely as they can to local, in season ingredients and I'm happy to pay a little extra for that.
(5)S B.
I really like this place. Its right down the street from my boyfriends house, so we go there often. Its a small little place with really great pizza. We went there last night, and there was a problem with my order, and the manager immediately came and talked to us and fixed it. My only problem with this place is the service from the servers themselves. The are mediocre and don't go above and beyond. Our server last night was M.I.A. for most of our meal. But the managers there are fantastic and always walking around the floor and greeting guests and such. all in all this place is a great choice for any pizza lover!
(4)P S.
I'm a pizza enthusiast, no doubt. From Zacharys in California to DiFara's in NY. And to me...well.....Za' just isn't really pizza. ....Sorry! It's good, pretty good. It's definetely round and has some cheese on it. But the fact is that it's kind of just a specialty bread and topping place. You can't just put anything you want on some dough and call it pizza! Where's the sauce? The mozzarella? This review is sure to get some angry responses but I really did sorta like the place. Really! I had the Carlson Orchard's Peaches, Roasted Duck, Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Basil, and Toasted Walnuts "pizza" The mixture of the cheese and the peach was interesting and tasty, but the duck was just sorta hanging out and not doing much. I also had some of a Elbow Macaroni, Caramelized Onions, Cream Sauce, Four Cheeses, and Toasted Bread Crumbs "pizza" They were both fairly tasty but not quite up to par with the satisfaction I get from 9 out of 10 corner pizza shacks in Brooklyn. It was kind of just alot of talk and not too much follow through. I've had "specialty pizzas" before and liked them more than this place. Not to sound like too much of a hater or anything :)
(3)Aaron B.
Huge fan of Za. I'm not a big fan of pretentiousness, and this definitely seems like the type of place that would be steeping in it, but they manage to walk the fine line well and delivery quirky, tasty food. Warning: if you're looking for *pizza*, you're barking up the wrong tree. To compare this to a normal pizza joint is [insert stock simile about produce]. They might call them pizzas, but they're very, very different and worthy of evaluation on a completely different scale. If you go with one other person, get individual salads before the pizza -- I have yet to get a bad salad there -- and then split a pizza. (Or get two pizzas and bring some home). Service is always friendly, and if you ask, they're happy to voice their opinions on which pizza or salad is best. They're also one of the select few restaurants in Arlington that serve beer and wine, so that's a nice addition.
(5)Shaina S.
My mom is very very picky about her food. Everything has to be uber healthy, yet delicious. Amazingly, she had not a single complaint about Za, and to me that warrants 5 stars automatically. Between three of us, we got two salads and two pizzas. The salads weren't too big but they were delicious. The special salad was a Hass Avocado, Mexican-esque salad packed into a cylinder shape. We wrote down every single ingredient in it and analyzed proportions (after devouring it, of course), all set to re-create it at home. It was that good. The pizzas were funky and unique, but delicious. Mashed potatoes instead of marinara was surprisingly light and tasty and the Mac & Cheeza pretty much fulfilled my expectations. I wasn't a huge fan of the figs on my pizza, but overall the crust was perfectly thin (thought not cracker-like) and crispy. There is a standard "make your own" menu for the less daring diners. The decor is pleasant, dark wood and fun cartoon-y paintings of Boston for sale. All in all, Za is definitely worth parallel parking for.
(5)Cara P.
Sure it's only Pizza. Yet, there is pizza. And then there is ZA's pizza. Nothing can come close to my Pini's. Trust me Pini's is great-but it is 80% mental and small% convenience-that is why I love it so much and it is a cure all. For me, Za's come close. My sister wrote a few reviews down and I just saw a new one, so I figured it was time to write a review based on my YELP profile's answer to last meal on earth. FIG AND GORGONZOLA CHEESE PIZZA. First, I had the fresh mozz, beefstake and balsamic salad as well. If I never ate a piece of meat in my life, I live on slices of these local farm fresh tomatoes. Heavenly. Not acidic. Deserving of their OWN two buns. *love* Someone else out table, ordered a small Fig and Gogonzola cheese pizza. I tried it and thought to myself. Yup. This is as good as it gets. Did you ever have a piece of pizza melt in your mouth? No? Now you can. Slices cut so perfect and with purpose .... to be home for toppings galore. These slices won't let you down. No sagging here. It will stay erect and hold those toppings proud. Even though it is only dough, it is proud of its life long purpose....to be a delivery mechanism for the most luscious toppings ever....fig and gorgonzola..... When it is just an after thought in my tummy, the next in line is always ready to hold and proudly present the most mouthwatering toppingsof your choice. Dare I say they are "gourmet like?"...yet, not so much that you won't chill in one of Za's red leather booths and squint your eyes, to check out their chalkboard menus.......what a perfect combo!
(4)N B.
Worst pepporoni pizza i've everr had. The crust was hard and tough, sauce was super salty. Dominos and Pizza hut make better pizza than them
(2)Britt H.
Try to imagine what suburbanites think a hip urban pizza restaurant looks like--aluminum, low light, counterintuitive combinations of ingredients, high concept salads. Well, I guess they got all that right, but the food is no good. The beet and goat cheese salad came in a cylindrical mold (modern) but was underflavored. The exotic pizza topping combinations were no more than the sum of their parts. Expensive and uninspiring, I will not be revisiting Za. It made me feel foolish.
(2)Joseph C.
Excellent pizza and salad. Had a fig and gorgonzola pizza there last week. And a great beet salad. This place has been great since it opened its doors......
(5)Pito S.
Nice place with unique pizzas. Good atmosphere except for the guy sitting at the next table from me :) I'd def go again!
(5)Hiten J.
Good variety of pizzas
(4)Lynette M.
Simple and yummy.
(3)Jim K.
Excellent high end pizza, and not the crappy California Pizza Kitchen type of froo-frooza, more like a really well-cooked thin crust with high end ingredients. All they had for apps were salads, and it kind of would've been nice to have yummy dinner rolls or maybe garlicy focaccia breadsticks. Overall a very nice place, not stuffy at all. Excellent and attentive waitstaff, and pretty good value for the quality. I'd go back and would also recommend to friends.
(4)Olivia S.
We were really looking forward to a Friday evening meal with my family. We arrived and got a table, sat down and ordered 5 minutes later. The menu looked great, we were all excited about our choices, but we never got to try the food. 15 minutes after we placed our order, we started noticing that other tables got their orders already, my water glass had been empty since the first time around we saw our server (she simply never acknowledged us again), and when we asked another server to check on our order, she said she did and it should be out shortly. 5 minutes later I walked up to the front and pointed out that two more tables had already gotten their order while we were still waiting. The same server (mind you, not ours, but another one) said that the manager will be right up. 5 more minutes passed before this very aloof guy (the manager) showed up at our table and said that he would bring out our orders himself (no real apology though, instead he almost seemed annoyed that we had complained). We kept waiting (with my 3-year-old child and me being 8-months pregnant), finally caught our server and asked for more water, but then after 5 more minutes we decided to leave, hungry and disappointed. We all felt that no matter how good the food might be, after being ignored for so long, we wouldn't be able to enjoy it. They did nothing to try and make us stay...
(1)Eric C. H.
It's hard to imagine what I would improve on. The ingredients were very fresh, the pizzas were eccentric but tasty and the service was extremely friendly (mind you, we went on a Tuesday night, so they weren't exactly mobbed). I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in a heartbeat.
(5)Paul m.
i'd give them a 3 but i think 3.5 is more accurate i just did take out for the small pizza. profesional manners when taking the order. the location has easy to find parking. the place when you walk in is average to small size for a restaurant ok closer to small but not what i cared about on a pickup of pizza. the pizza good but a little bit too oily hmm overall the pizza was about 3.5 stars. is it on my list ? well yes as an option but no asterisk so if i happen to be around here and a hot date wants some pizza well this is an option for pickup. would this make the date hotter ehh i doubt it but you never know.
(3)Heather C.
I love Za. The crust is not just a delivery vehicle for cheese; instead it is the perfect complement to all their scrumptious toppings. The crust is tasty, crispy, not too thin, and not too thick. The toppings are fresh and creative. I love the fig and carmelized onion pizza! It is ooey gooey, crispy, crunchy, sweet, and savory all at the same time. The duck pizza with peaches is delish as well. I recently had the salad with arugula, avocado, and blue cheese, lightly tossed in a delicate and slightly sweet sherry vinagrette. It was incredibly tasty, not to mention so pretty to look at. Their salads are a little too small to be a meal for me, but they are the perfect size for an appetizer followed by a warm pizza split between you and your dining companion. Or, the cooks will happily add chicken to the salad, and you will have enough room left for dessert. The servers are always nice, and they know the menu. The food is noticably fresh when it arrives at your table, and then again when it enters your mouth. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and I love getting a raised table near the window so I can people watch along Mass ave. I highly recommend Za!
(5)Amie R.
Ridiculously good pizza... the salads are great, too. It's thinner crust, and not super-greasy like a lot of others. Cute decor inside - although quite a small place. Nothing fancy, but it's a nice place to sit and enjoy some stellar pizza and a few drinks! Great for takeout , too.
(5)Sam S.
Over-rated. Other places, for example, Upper Crust, do this style of pizza much better. Too much focus here on using unusual toppings, rather than getting the basics right.
(2)Jane T.
just tried this place with my boyfriend and our friend - the mashed potato salad was very good and not too expensive. the boys loved the pizzas (mac and cheese and a special with corn and bacon)- too bad they don't have gluten free dough :( we'll be returning! (especially because we live down the street...)
(4)Susan W.
I've never been able to drag my 22 year old son here because of the name. But I have returned several times because the quality of the food and the inventiveness of the ingredients. Wonderful and fresh with a decent wine list.
(5)Joseph G.
Great first date place. Super fresh ingredients. Who can go wrong with Pizza and Beer/Wine? Old world pizza dough comes out light and crisp. Funky toppings for A type personalities. Service was friendly and quick. We did have to wait Thursday night, no reservations. Plenty of side street parking. A great place to go before/after catching a movie from down the street.
(4)Kixie C.
Delicious pizza, creative salads, comfortable seating, and friendly staff. The owner touches base to see if you're enjoying the food which is a nice touch. Will definitely go back again and again.
(4)J B.
I lived down the street from this place for over a year and only went once, but the one time I did go it was great. I went for lunch, it was quiet, the service was polite and quick. My friend and I shared a pizza and a salad, it was really yummy. I will have to go back sometime when I am back over there.
(4)Adrienne B.
I'm in love. I went into Za having no idea what it was other than italian- again another Zagat find on my boyfriends part- when I looked down at the menu and saw only salads and pizza I was a bit hesitant. I'm so glad I trusted him though. The pizzas are made to order so they take a bit- but it was well worth it. I picked out the special which was mozzarella and ricotta cheese topped with pepperoni and arugula and a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar. It was the perfect pairing of cheese, zestiness and greens. My boyfriend got the grilled chicken pizza on the regular menu and also adored it. I enjoyed it as well, but like my pizza with not as much on it. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive and the manager came over to see how we were enjoying ourselves and complimented me on my special choice, his favorite of the day too. Overall it was such a fun place, and I look forward to heading back there. I could really see it as a perfect date place especially with the movie theatre so close by.
(5)Mark C.
Za is a nice little corner restaurant serving up an eclectic assortment of fine pizzas that goes well with their selection of wines and/or beers. A casual yet psuedo-trendy spot perfect for lunch or late evening dinner dates. Although I like the place, I find that the service there could be a bit faster but maybe that's just me. Quite busy on certain nights, but usually not a long wait before something opens up. Easy to get to and street parking is never a problem (for me at least). I wouldn't recommend driving all the way out just for Za, but it's perfect for an "on the way" kind of food expereince.
(4)Steve M.
ZA brings the taste of California pizza to Arlington. Not-too-greasy pies come with plenty of outrageous toppings. You can get great NY-style pizza down the road in Cambridge, but if you just have to have duck on your pie, ZA is the place. It has a nice, clean, but laid back atmosphere too.
(3)A A.
I first went to Za back in 06 and was quite disappointed. We waited an eternity for our pizza and were not impressed. Fast forward two years and we decided to try it again. This time we placed a pick up order. We ordered the Avocado salad and the Portobello Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Garlic, and Goat Cheese pizza. At best the salad was the size of a small side and the pizza was awful. The crust was chewy and tasteless and the toppings although all my favorites didn't jive. Overpriced and Overrated for sure!
(1)Chris M.
A great upscale pizza place. The salads are amazing too.
(5)joanne c.
Decent pizza, nice atmosphere, great service. We had the beet and goat cheese salad and the gorgonzola, arugala, onion pizza and both were very good. It was a perfect lunch!
(4)M. H.
I actually go to Za once a week with my toddler. When we enter we are always greeted with smiling faces. They have crayons and paper ready to keep my daughter distracted while I order and wait for the food. The menu is fun and creative and it's nice to go to a place that always has specials. We have tried most of the salads and most of the pizzas at this point and I have never been bummed out by my choices. The atmosphere is mellow and the music is never too loud. My favorites are the cucumber and kalamata salad and the sweet potato pizza that was a recent special. The salad has a smooth potato salad base and is topped with what is basically a chopped greek salad. They use lots of fresh herbs in the salads and pizzas which gives everything a real homemade taste. Great place!
(4)Jackie M.
I too, like the last reviewer, have only been once but it was really good. We got salads and split a pizza and it was really good. Very different from other pizza places I've been to, they use interesting ingredients as toppings for their pizzas. Not sure why we haven't gone back...
(4)NIX V.
Great place to grab a bite to eat before or after a movie at the Arlington Theatre. We went before a movie and were in a hurry. The waitress recommended the cheese pizza and we ordered the squash and smoked cheese salad. Both were fantastic. I am still dreaming of the salad which is more like a cold vegetable terrine. The waitress was very helpful and got us to our movie with time to spare.
(4)Thomas M.
Flatbread style pizza, with a variety of toppings and specials. Clean inside, attentive service -- a little pricey for pizza, but well worth it. Small, yet decent beer & wine list. Street parking only. Will go back!
(5)Daphne Weld N.
I feel so lucky to live w/in walking distance of this great place - the limited menu is always very interesting and yummy! I try to get there at once a month. a glass of red wine w/ grilled chicken pizza and a salad are my staples!
(5)C. R.
I like that this place is kid friendly without being kid-predominant--the food and the space are relaxed but grown-up; it's mostly that the place doesn't make a big deal out of having a kid in tow, which is probably why there's usually a couple of families there for the early dinner shift. The space is small but well planned out and chic, with a charming combination of window, booth and table seating, and they feature a rotating exhibit of local artists' work (generally cityscapes by reasonably talented painters.) If you have to eat immediately, call ahead to check on the wait time for for take out, which is prompt--or, you know, just eat later, as the place is pretty busy from 5.30 to 8. I'm a woman who likes to eat dessert after her pizza, thank you very much, and they have some fantastic ones that change seasonally and aren't the usual dried-up cannoli or leaden flourless chocolate whatever. Finally, the owner works his ass off, and I appreciate that in a place where the staff's on the hustle to get food to tables with ages ranging from 0 to 70; I've seen him seat, wait and bus tables every time I've been there, and it's not because they're short on staff. One small suggestion--having a few non-salad appetizers would be a plus, though I did appreciate the animal crackers our sympathetic waitress brought us one time when I was desperate.
(4)Steve L.
Unique and delicious salads and pizzas. I think they only use local produce, which makes all the difference for that amazing fresh taste. The menu is limited, but you can always make your own pizza. Definitely worth checking out, even if you're not a huge pizza fan.
(4)Alice K.
A unique and delightful twist on pizza and salad with a bit of dessert. Go for the specials! They're inventive, fun to look at and delicious to the level of any of Boston's top restaurants. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly- one gets the impression that the chef and the waitstaff work together smoothly, to the benefit of the diners. Especially recommended: the farmer's market salad- it wasn't at all what I'd anticipated, and it was fantastic. :)
(5)shana c.
the cucumber, tomato, feta, kalmata olive salad with garlic balsamic over mashed potatoes is genius. the presentation of all of the food looked great! the pizza was great too as many of the other reviewers wrote. and i'd have to agree that the owner was super attentive! i will go back!
(5)John Z.
Salads are innovative and tasty, several without lettuce. For some reason they don't serve rolls with the salad, though. The pizzas were OK (Bertuccis is better I think), but both of ours tasted sweet. We were told that their jalapeo peppers are in a sweet sauce, but this soaked through the pizza. Somewhat overpriced.
(3)Paul L.
Za is a Paddy family staple. My parents, whose idea of adventurous eating is an Old El Paso taco dinner kit, swear by Za for reliably tasty pizzas and salads for a fair price. For the cautious diner, there's an assemblage of common pizza toppings. For the frisky, Za also offers tasty options like squash pizza with maple syrup (yum!), mac 'n cheese pizza (heart attack!), and fun toppings like figs, walnuts, etc. The salads are also very inventive and the produce, if memory serves, comes from Verrill Farm. I'm not a beer drinker, but Mr. Paddy has enjoyed some of their rarer brews. The wine list is quite nice as well. I've always been pleased with the service, but I do wish it were possible to make a reservation. Sometimes the wait is exceptionally long, and there's no real waiting area. However, people often treat idling patrons to slices of pizza while they wait, which is a nice touch. All in all, a cheerful evening out.
(4)Kristyn F.
I absolutely love their fig/gorgonzola and mac & cheese pizzas!
(5)Jim S.
Very good non-traditional pizza (it's not thin crust, nor thick crust). Also nice array of interesting non-traditional salads. I would avoid the temptation to always order from the specials and make up your own combo. I find the specials a little weird sometimes - you know it's not necessarily the case that you can pair absolutely anything with absolutely anything else. On one occasion, two of them had potatoes as a topping. Well, maybe, but on half your specials? Great service and cozy setting.
(4)Christopher S.
Updating this from 4/5 to 5/5. I previously gave it 4/5 because it was my first visit: it was good, but the goodness might have been a fluke. Just went back for a second trip, and it's no fluke: it's just plain good. It's a 5/5. The combinations they come up with are excellent, the two waitresses we've had have been very friendly, quick, and accurate, and the prices are good too.
(5)Patricia O.
This restaurant is awesome! It's a great place to gather with friends, and enjoy a great meal! The service is outstanding. They truly care about your dining experience. Also, if you don't have a lot of time, then this is the place to go. The service is extremely fast, and accurate!
(5)Kerri O.
It's not that the pizza's aren't great. Yummy in the tummy, all the way. I can't give this place the 5 star rating because they are expensive, and I'm a cheap Yankee. Plus, the place is a bit precious for me. I like my pizza places staffed by warm, yet gruff folks who grew up making pizzas, not trained chefs. The dear departed Emma is still my favorite.
(4)J P.
I'll give Za 3 stars for their creativity and crunchy, locally grown appeal, but I find Za's pizza surprisingly lacking flavor. Their sauce is too spicy and the cheese and crust lack zip. Certainly not offensive and I have always cleaned my plate, but, like any place where the server asks if you have dined there before and gives you a shpeel about how unique and awesome they are, I expect more of a "wow" factor when i'm chewing
(3)Carrie M.
I wasn't supposed to have lunch here, but due to the chosen location no longer being open for lunch, my friend suggested Za, and I'm glad she did. Za is like a remixed version of Emma's, at least that was the comparison I made. They have creative pizzas, but with only about eight to choose from the menu is not as overwhelming as Emma's (don't get me wrong, I love Emma's!) We started with salads, I followed the waitresses suggestion and went with the avocado salad. It was amazing and I can see why she said she could eat it everyday. My friend got the Greek style salad, and I tried a bite and it was also really good. For pizza, we split the chicken & broccoli minus the chicken as I'm a vegetarian. The pizza was perfect, a great balance of all the ingredients. I was full, but at the same time I just couldn't stop eating. The dessert menu looked creative and delicious, unfortunately I did not have room to try anything. Next time though...goat cheese cheesecake, could be addicting! I can't wait to go back and try more....
(5)betsy y.
Very friendly folks, cute packaging for carry out, tiny eat-in shop. My husband loved the flavor, but I found it peculiarly sweet, reminiscent of beer-batter. They only sell 10-inch pizzas, but they seemed bigger than the ones at Bertucci's.
(4)Monique Y.
I have eaten at Za and had take out food from there many times over the past few years and I have to say it never disappoints. The most recent visit was last weekend. We ordered 2 salads: the cucumber, tomato, kalamata, feta cheese salad which is my husband's favorite and the avocado, black bean salad, which was a first try and was great. For pizza we ordered the one with Kimball Farm's Little Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, Kalamata Olives, Basil, Mozzarella, Fontina and Feta. Upon picking up the food for takeout there was a slight wait, but the waiter invited me to sit and offered me a drink while waiting. Great customer service, even though they were slammed! I would recommend it to anyone and would definitely continue to go there for healthy and delicious meals.
(5)Casey F.
Pizza is my passion. Za's pizZA is decent - original toppings, chewy but kind of flat crust. The experience is really enhanced by their wonderful, tasty, out of the box salads and a nice wine/beer list. I always enjoy the beet-goat-cheese-orange salad. Last night I got a pizza with creme freche, red onions galore, capers, and smoked salmon. It tasted like brunch pizza. I would have been better off with a different choice... but c' le vie! Atmosphere is decent, a little chilly with the door. Recommend calling ahead. I enjoy a Za or two here per year, but don't go too far out of my way to get here.
(4)Laura T.
This place just makes me happy! The salads are light and flavorful. The iceberg wedge is unbelievably tasty and is topped only by the avocado/black bean sald. After trying several of their pizzas, I'd have to go with the mission fig/caramelized onion/gorgonzola or maybe the seasonal pizza with bing cherries and goat cheese. They're all so tasty, it's hard to choose. Also, the place itself has a really fun vibe, not to mention a friendly staff. If you go during busy hours there's a comfortable indoor bench area where you can wait for a table while enjoying a beverage. This is definitely a place a take friends when they come to town.
(5)Liza M.
love ZA! I especially love the black mission fig pizza. it is the best!! another fave is the one with roasted peppers. salads are really creative and delicious as well. I love taking people here that are visiting from out of town
(5)Hillary M.
I found this place on Yelp as a nice meeting point for friends coming from various parts of Metro Boston. It was perfect for our weeknight dinner - no wait, big booth, frequent water fills, and good, reasonably priced food. I had the chalkboard specials - the apple and sausage, and the sweet potato and pancetta (I think? Might have been bacon?). We all shared the tomato salad. Fantastic!!!! The pizzas were a little boring, despite the hype about the exotic flavor/ ingredients. I will say that the fig and gorgonzola pizza my friend ordered was out of this world. Full of flavor with a great crust. I wish I'd gotten that one. One pizza is more than enough per person - sort of a tragedy because I wanted to have room for the very tempting desserts! The bathroom was clean, servers were attentive, and there was plenty of street parking. I'll go back to try some of the other pizza toppings.
(3)Haviva P.
I like Za and, for a neighborhood place, this hits the spot. Their use of local and fresh ingredients will always keep me coming back for more and I LOVE their beet salad. It only get 3 stars because the truth is that the pizza is just not great. Admittedly I am a pizza snob, but I just wish the crust was a little thinner and it all had a little more kick. With that said, the way to go when ordering at Za is the more unusual the better. As wacky as the specials may sound, they are what to order. The standard pizzas just seem to fall a bit flat for me. If you live in East Arlington, this is definitely worth heading to - grab a beer, one of their awesome salads and share a pizza and you will certainly leave happy.
(3)Patryce S.
I love their pizza!!! Very, very creative and their chalkboard specials are to die for. They buy their ingredients from local farmers and you can definately tell! Only reason they get a 4 star is because we ordered pizza's there for take-out on 2 occasions and both times they gave us the wrong pizza. But they did give us a certificate for next time for a free pizza which was nice...but we would have rathered the right pizza we ordered in the first place :)
(4)Gina M.
I love Za's creative pizzas. The medium weight crust is an interesting change from the cracker-ish pizzas that dominate the gourmet pizza scene. The pizzas aren't drowning in EVOO like at Figs, and are more filling than at Emma's. Their salads (esp the beet salad) are wonderful. You'd pay much more $ for salads of that quality at most places. Overall, it's a great bargain, too! ===== Editing to say....I completely agree with the reviewer below that for 2 people, ordering 2 salads and 1 pizza is perfect!! The pizzas don't look that big, but since they are thicker, splitting one works out quite nicely.
(5)Marcy S.
Two things make Za great: The staff and the selection. SELECTION: Where else can one get cherries on a pizza? Their ingredients are procured from Verrill Farm with delectable results. The menu features an ever-changing collection of unique pizza concoctions, and one can be reasonably assured that old favorites will be provided as well (as long as the ingredients are in-season!) *** note *** Until recently, Za had one of the best crusts in the biz. It was thin without being wimpy, crispy without being hard, and was the perfect taste and consistency to complement their creations. However, to the alarm, dismay, and disappointment of many, they have changed their crust. It is no longer thin, can be doughy, and tastes like a water-logged cracker. What's on top of the pizza, though, is still great! Also? The soda is ALWAYS flat. Since the restaurant opened, the soda has never once had any carbonation. I don't know what the problem is, but it's perpetual. STAFF: Yes, the ever-present manager does seem to keep a tight rein on his workers, but in the restaurant business, I think that's probably crucial. The man has always been pleasant to customers, is engaging without being intrusive, and seems to genuinely care whether or not the meal was enjoyable.
(4)Kara B.
Blah yuppie pizza. Fresh ingredients tortured into combinations that I'm sure they think are nouvelle and tres hip, but basically, give me a great crust (theirs is kinda dead and oddly spongy), a lovely sauce and fresh mozzarella and keep the add ons simple and honest. Salads are also rather overwrought. The dressing on mine was a mess! Too sweet and thick. Nice looking place, ok vibe, but pizza, not so much.
(2)Steven S.
Ah, Za. In a part of the country with a short growing season and a lack of Green-totalitarianism, I was pleasantly surprised to find a place that specializes in organic, locally-grown ingredients on top of lovingly prepared pizza. This was the favorite 'za place of my friend that took me here, nestled away in Arlington, where I was pleased to see such a variety and quality of eating establishments away from the center of Boston. We arrived on a Saturday evening around 6:30PM to a decently-sized line spilling out of the restaurant. Fortunately, it was an easy wait, as the host offered us the drink menu and a spot on a bench near the kitchen, sheltered from the near-freezing temperatures outside. We were seated after about a 20 minute wait. Great service. Appetizer: 1. A Mexican salad of sorts, composed of Haas avocados, tomatoes, black beans, red onions, and cilantro, topped with sour cream and "tortilla crunchies", and formed in a ring-mold. Fresh ingredients, balanced nicely... sort of like a really chunky guacamole; not the most original idea, but pulled-off well. The 'za: 1. This was a real treat: black mission figs, sweet onion, Gorgonzola, Verrill Farm's parsley, and Italian white truffle oil. We asked them to add smoked bacon to it... I mean, pork makes everything better, right? The crust was thin-crust, but had enough body to be a real crust, and not a cracker, like some other "thin-crusts" tend to be. It's too bad this is one of their "Chalkboard Specials"; I'd be tempted to order it again every time I'm in town. Dessert: 1. Honey lavender creme brulee: just like it sounds. Sometimes lavender-containing dishes honestly tend to have too much lavender, but this was properly balanced and oh-so-tasty! I never expected a place like this in a Boston suburb. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Todd D.
Creative. Delicious. Friendly.
(5)Rod B.
A good sign of a quality restaurant: There's a salad on the specials board that required four lines on the chalkboard to describe. Went with friends, and had a slap-up dinner. Original plans to get three pizzas and share between six, turned into buying five to eat at the table, and two more to take home for snacking the next day! Highly recommended.
(5)Rich O.
I had people keep telling me I would hate this place. Too pretentious, etc etc. Kind of makes me shake my head but whatever. So, yes it's basically salad and pizza but the selection is tight and on point. I got a 10", thin, crispy pizza with maple bacon and pepperoni (as the owner/manager type called the veggie pizza when he delivered it...what a card). It was good and a perfect size for one person of my dimensions. It's a little pricier then a typical pizza joint and small so there can be waiting by all and all I liked it! I will definitely go back again
(4)Dave D.
Not your average pizza! I've fallen in love with this place and go at least once a month. After living off of Santarpios for a few years, this place is such a drastic difference. - The place is small but can accommodate a party of any size. They have large booths and tables that overlook Mass. Ave. - The wine/beer selection isn't big but you'll most likely find something you like. - The pizzas (if you can call them that) are strange and interesting but really yummy. If you're a picky eater, well you might want to look elsewhere. If you like almost anything for food definitely try this place. Where else will you find fig or pear or mac n' cheese on a pizza. They have crazy concoctions but they are yummy. I go with a work crew once a month and everyone has their favorite! - The salads are also quite yummy. - Slightly on the higher priced side (for a pizza place anyway), you do get good value for your food. Definitely try ZA if you're in the mood for a change. You won't be disappointed.
(4)izzy g.
amazing pizzas and salads. innovative, fearless, and most improtantly flavorful/delicious. I'll be back many-a-time!
(5)Katherine B.
Excellent customer service! My pizza came out burnt but they brought me a new one right away and gave it for free. Also gave my husband a free dessert for his bday. Yummy food, good prices, great service! Decor leaves something to be desired. Would definitely go back.
(4)Julie H.
Za is perfection on a plate. Everything about the pizzas is well-made and tasty. The crust is a fantastic middle ground between thin and doughy - it's just exactly tasty and chewy enough. Sauce and toppings are fresh, original, local, and so very flavorful. I'm a big fan of basic cheese, which highlights exactly how high-quality everything is about the pizzas. I also like the original combinations they come up with - especially the pear/gorgonzola/walnut pizzas. I really like the avocado salad (which is more guac than salad). I'm not a big fan of the chocolate goat-cheesecake; it's very goat-y, but it is well-made, and if you like "stinky" cheese, you may well love it. It's very often packed with a long wait on a weekend - go during the week. Or be lucky enough to live nearby!
(4)Leann F.
Yummy pizza aside, this place is my salad soul mate! Only two salads include greens, and since I don't get the idea that every salad needs to be based on 70% greens, 30% deliciousness, I loved this place! I had the butternut squash salad with tart apples, red onions, and smoked goat cheese with toasted walnuts and maple vinaigrette. YUM, what a great combination of sweet and smoky-- and the textures worked great together. The pizzas were quite good, too. I had the pizza with potato puree, shiitake mushrooms, sweet onion, gruyere, Italian white truffle oil, parmesan, and scallions. Our waitress was very giiddy/quirky (or maybe a bit tipsy) but she was very helpful in selecting wine and explaining the menu. I'll definitely be back to try more of the green-free salads!
(5)Luke B.
Some of the best pizza I've had in the boston area. Very creative special pizzas and salads. They partner with local farms on a good bit of their produce and many of the specials feature local seasonal ingredients. Consistent deliciousness. The salads are very intentionally created and presented, it won't be what you expect...it'll be better and more beautiful. Very simple accessable menu but done to the nines. Decent wine and beer selections for the price range, consistent to the concept. Family friendly, great service staff and the managers are very nice and actually working, bussing, etc which is always great to see. The avocado salad & the potato salad with cucumbers are wonderful, light flavorful, perfect portion size. I think I've gotton sausage and mushroom pizza both times I've gone, almost enticed by the specials but if there's a time to eat sausage it's at a pizza joint with a focus on local fresh ingredients. Will be back consistently.
(4)Brent M.
This place was decent, but I'm really kind of stunned that so many people gave it five stars. I mean - it's good and all, but it's definitely not "I wet my pants it was so good" good. The place is a little cramped. Once I got into my seat on a relatively crowded Friday night, there was no moving. And it was butt-cold outside, and every time somebody came in the front door I got a blast of arctic air in the face. They vainly tried to put up some curtains behind the door to shield us, but it was trifling. The food was decent, but on the waitresses recommendation, my wife and I split a pizza and it was definitely not enough food. Go with one pizza per person. The toppings were interesting, but I once again got the feeling that the place was trying too hard to be "alternative." I'm all for culinary creativity, but when you are just doing it to get attention and "oohs" and "aahs" rather than because things go well together, you are really whoring your restaurant. Definitely seems like this is a hangout for people who like that granola vibe. One big saving grace was the wine selection. My wife and I got a few glasses of some various reds and were pleased with the wide variety and good quality of the options. So overall, I might go back, but I'm really not all that into potatoes on my pizza or calling a half a head of lettuce with some dressing a "salad", so I won't be making any special trips.
(3)Emily D.
Holy crap, I had the fig, gorgonzola, and truffle oil pizza here and nearly fell out of my chair it was so good. I'm not talking, "damn this greasy pizza hits the spot" good, but actually inventive culinary good. They don't have a bar though, so be prepared to wait in on a cramped bench. Trust me, it's worth the wait.
(5)D B.
Mmmm yummy pizza, salad and wine. Sounds like a perfect dinner to me. The pizza's are a good size to split and go great with the salad and wine. There are a lot of specials on the board to help you choose your perfect pizza. I found it best to watch what the waiters brought to other tables and make my choice according to those. They all looked delic. so it was harder than I thought.
(4)Jim W.
This place makes good pizza. It also gives lots of options (that is, if you want pizza). They also have really good salads (which I have only shared). The salads are pretty creative, including some that do not have lettuce, but not too crazy and the pizzas have plenty of options if you want to make something really personal. I have had several different pizzas and they have all been good. I think the beer selection makes this place even better. It does not have a wide selection but it did have a few excellent unique choices. I suggest this place be called Zahhhh!
(5)Kevin M.
EXCELLENT tasting pizza!! I have to admit, this may be the one good reason to go to Arlington. Very creative pizzas accent the menu. I would even say it's better than PICCO... (Except Picco has a wide range of alcohol... Hmmm tough call)
(4)Paulette B.
This is one of the few pizza places I go to. I am not one who enjoys the standard pizza. I have tried. I have asked people what they like about those cardboard disks covered with overcooked tomato sauce. Za has very different and unique ingredients you never tire of. I had apricot and duck sausage... it was great. I just think your pizza should have interesting toppings. If you are looking for boring pepperoni (yawn ) keep on driving and get out of my way.
(5)Leah S.
i love this place - the salads and pizzas are always great (although i always order my fav. - avocado salad and mushroom pizza) and it's the perfect place for a casual but good dinner. don't usually order desserts but they have been good the few times i've tried them.
(4)Angela S.
I really enjoyed this pizza place. You should only dine here if you are in the mood for gourmet or more exotic tasting pizza. They have regular cheese but thier specialties are interesting pizzas topped with potatoes, pears, spinach and gorganzola cheese! They also have delicious salads such as ice berg lettuce wedges covered with bleu cheese and bacon bits. The pizzas are small and a little pricy but they are prepared well with a lot of fresh ingredients. I would highly recommend trying this place!
(4)M. H.
Za is a great place if you have an adventurous mind. When I first went there, I did not like the pizza I chose (I think it was the goat cheese and garlic one and somewhat blend), but since I have tried the chalkboard special pizzas, and they have been very good. These menu items change based on the seasonal ingredients. If it sounds interesting, try it! The first one had pickles (yum!), and yesterday I tried the one with gala apples and homemade pork sausage. It was a combination flavors that marinated wonderfully (sweet, fruity, salty...). Their salads are wonderful too. My favorite is definitely the beet salad.
(4)Tim K.
5 words: bread and butter jalapeño peppers...yum!
(5)Beth M.
UPDATE: Finally actually went to Za on a recent weekend with some friends and it was a great time. It is super crowded but we called ahead and got seated really quickly. The creative pizza and salad combinations were great. Good times! We'll definitely be back. __________________________________________________Â_ Got take-out from Za with friends. I had wanted to try this place and had no idea the pizza we were eating was from Za until about half way through the meal. It's funny-- though the pizza was delicious, I was definitely expecting more of a Cambridge One-type pizza from the other reviews-- but it wasn't like that at all. These pizzas had a lot more substance, and definitely rocked a real pizza crust, rather than a flat bread crust. We tried the pepperoni, a couple of really creative veggie combinations, and then something with pesto. I wish I knew better, but our friends were so excited about their new fave pizza place that they did all the ordering and the pizza was there when we arrived at their house! I definitely want to venture out to Arlington to try the actual restaurant!
(4)Tamara W.
Fabulously creative and fresh pizzas and salads. I've eaten there several times and have always enjoyed my meal! The service is friendly and attentive. The last time I was there they had good beer specials; I think my partner and I each ordered something different and I remember them both being good. I don't usually drink wine with pizza, so I can't comment on that. Note on the salads: a couple times now I have ordered a salad and expected to get whatever the featured ingredients were (beets and goat cheese, cucumbers and feta, etc) on top of a bed of greens. What I got was a lot of the featured ingredients, beautifully arranged on the plate, and no greens. This turned out not to be a bad thing and both salads were delicious. But if you want a big pile of lettuce, and lettuce isn't in the description of the salad, you may be disappointed.
(5)Jim K.
I took a friend from out of town here for lunch. It's casual, but nice. The menu features unique combinations for salads and pizzas. We shared the mac and cheese pizza which was awesome and each had our own salad. I forget what mine was called, but it was similar to a greek salad. Both the salad and the pizza were great and the staff was attentive. Great spot for a casual lunch/dinner with good service, casual atmosphere, and not a lot of fuss.
(4)Corey H.
I've been back to ZA several times and I think they deserve another star just for the freshness of the food, if not the consistant quality and afordable pricing. Everything is local (except for the wine...what's up with that?). My only quam is with the excessive, inexperienced waitstaff, who remind me of too many balls in a pinball machine...rolling around all willy nilly with no purpose and ocasionally bumping into eachother. I wonder why they all look so nervous all the time?
(4)Hilary C.
Huge fan of this restaurant! Great for foodie dates and casual get togethers alike. I chose to go here for my birthday this year. They have both a delicious regular menu, a chalkboard menu that highlights seasonal ingredients that changes every week, as well as a respectable beer list. Had delicious avocado salad with a cumin-lime vinaigrette. Albeit, I'm a sucker for avocado anyway, bit it was extra yummy. Also had a pizza with figs, gorgonzola and carmelized onions. (Oh, i'm getting hungry while writing this...) The crusts are thin and fired in the brick oven, so there was a lovely smokey flavor too. The other pizza was the chicken and broccoli with garlic and four cheeses. What can i say? Delicious and crispy. For the final note: goat cheese panna cotta!! While my first discovery of panna cotta was at this restaurant, I prefer their regular panna cotta to the goat cheese version (I think it's a texture issue for me). Still, with the blackberries and whipped cream, it's still an unctuous dessert. In general, Za has everything a good restaurant should have, friendly staff, warm atmosphere, well-prepared, delicious food, and prices that don't make you cry. Nice work Za!
(4)Jeff B.
Pizza in Arlington is terrible! It was terrible in 2001 and the scene hasn't improved much since. There are two exceptions I know of. One is Maria's (look them up). But if you are in the mood for creative pizza and salads this is the place to go. Here's why: 1. Atmosphere is cozy for some wine or beer with your meal. Simple furnishings but dim lighting even makes for a nice date spot. 2. Service is always top notch. The host and waitstaff are always very friendly and have terrific recommendations. 3. I've never had a bad experience at Za. There are endless possibilities no matter what your pallet is in the mood for. From salads to pizza to dessert your mouth will be left begging for more. 4. Contrary to some other reviewers' opinions, I think the portion sizes are just right. Restaurants tend to oversize their plates, which can be good if you want to take home a doggy bag. But in this case I wouldn't be able to stop myself so I'm glad Za knows when to say when. Besides when you see what's on the menu, you'll want to order two pies so you can share with your friends.
(4)Huan z.
The salad is beautiful made in a cone shape. Very yummy and tasty. The pizzas are awesome! if I have never ate at Emma's and Veggie plant, I would vote this the best pizza place in town. They are very creative on their pizza because I had strawberry pizza.
(3)Betty W.
Za is our favorite eat-in-and-have-leftovers weekend restaurant. I love the specials with fruit if some sort (e.g., Fig and gorgonzola, peach and duck breast, etc), and my partner frequently adds their great sausage to one of them if it's not already meat-enabled. Neither of us are found of the idea of potatoes on pizza, but sometimes the ones with pureed squash are interesting. The salads are not too big for one person, but ample enough for two to share if you want to have room for pizza and dessert. The desserts usually include some variety of creme brulee, a pie-type item, and something chocolate. The beer specials can be interesting, and change weekly. Best time to go on the weekend is off-dining time (late lunch or early dinner). The do not take reservations, but you can call ahead to get on the waiting list if it's busy. Or just pick up for takeout. We go here a couple times a month if we can.
(5)Michael K.
My friend lived 1 block away from here but had never been. So we went for lunch one day. We were the only ones there and it took 40 minutes to get our portobello mushroom, roasted pepper garlic and goat cheese pizza. We did have some good beer to keep us busy. When the pizza finally came out it was delicious...but maybe it was because we were so hungry.
(3)Kat R.
I've been to Za's quite a few times and it's always been a good experience. My all time favorite is the Beet salad. Holy delicious-ness! Mac n cheese pizza is pretty good, but sometimes a little bland (my friend gets it everytime we go). My favorite is the onion & pepper. YUM! Very nice staff. We usually hang out for a while catching up and they have never rushed us. Great place! Street parking, but I can usually find something around the corner.
(4)C.M. M.
Good bizarre pizza.
(3)Morgan P.
One of the best pizzas I've had in a long time!! Very reasonable prices, great selection of unique pizzas, absolutely delicious. We'll definitely be coming back here soon.
(5)Matthew V.
If your like me and have realized that all Pizza in this country is crap and had too much sauce and too much cheese and oil.....well your in store for a great surprise. Possibly the best stylize pizza's and salads I have ever had. The chef's really truly pride themselves with creating original pizzas and combining foods, flavors and textures that a normal person would never imagine. Look at their menus and especially the chalk board to see whats up. Truly a gem when it comes to amazing gourmet food. Great atmosphere, although I did not stay to eat. If you want to change up pizza night or you want to change up going out to a restaurant, this is the place.
(5)Joji S.
Have only eaten as take-out. Seems like yuppie pizza, but they are actually, great, although the dough is not my favorite. I usually do not like 'creative' pizzas, but they make very good ones--like the mac and cheese pizza. A little pricey, but worth it on occasion. Also the beet salad was very good.
(4)Esther L.
I really liked the pizza here-the flavor on the crust had just a hint of honey on it. The menu isn't very extensive, but they do a good job of combining things like mashed potatoes and arugula on a pizza and making it taste good. My one gripe is about our server. The Za website says that the restaurant "seats until 11pm on fridays and saturdays." I know its not the nicest thing to go to a place close to when it closes, but that doesn't mean the server has to be rude. My friends and I got to the restaurant at 10:30 on a friday night; our waitress seemed like she was in a rush to get us out the door. We took a couple minutes to order, and at one point she asked if we needed help, and then just stood at our table and stares us down. It made us all feel really uncomfortable. She almost took the pizza off our table before we were done eating. That kind of service makes me subtract a star. Other than that, the place was cute; the food was good (not sure if I'd recommend the chocolate goat cheese-cake though).
(3)Lara S.
This restaurant essentially serves gourmet salads and pizzas. The salads are solid, but the pizzas are really where they earn the 5 stars. They always include a unique and unexpected combination of toppings and taste delicious. I have yet to be disappointed by one of their creations.
(5)Orina B.
For a place devoted to " 'za " it's a surprise the (piz)za isn't better. A lot better. If you get the pizza to go, it's put on a cardboard plate and covered wtih a paper bag. I'm only slightly kidding when I say the cardboard plate has the same texture as the pizza. There's a pretense of many exotic pizza types but by and large they don't equal tastier pizza, just more expensive pizza. I do like the salads, though. There's a cucumber salad with a mashed potato base that I get every time I've gone there. (I know it sounds gross but it's really good.) The service is pretty good. I've met the owner and he's a great guy -- very responsive to his customers.. The place is devoted to families so kids are usually roaming the aisles, banging their silverware, screaming, etc. Don't go if you want a quiet night.
(2)Heather B.
I dig Za! Went Friday night and had an arugula topped pizza with mashed potatoes and onions on it. I love their salads too! I had the romaine with garlicky dressing. In the summer they have a grilled asparagus salad with Parmesan sauce that is to DIE FOR! The General Manager there is ON, always walking the room keeping a handle on things and checking in. The staff is nice. I don't generally go in for "family friendly" as a criteria but Za really manages to be family friendly while catering to adult palates. If you go early - say 5:30 or 6 you'll find families with little ones and they know how to keep them happy with crayons and animal crackers while they wait for their pizza. All in all, this place is amazingly well run and I hope it stays in A Town for many, many years! Trivia: Last I knew it was owned by Brian McCarthy of EVOO fame.
(4)Marissa S.
Za was a great experience. Specializing in pizza and salads, Za does both of those just right. For an anniversary dinner, my boyfriend and I tried this place for the first time. We each got a salad. He got the wedge salad with buttermilk dressing and loved it. I got the avocado salad which had tomatoes, beans, avocados, tortilla chips, sour cream, and more. It was delicious. For dinner, I got the macaroni and cheese pizza, which was great as well. The pizza was cooked perfectly, and it came out of the oven just as we were finishing our salads. For dessert, we split the caramel apple creme brulee, and it was one of the best creme brulees I have ever tasted. Overall, I would highly recommend Za if you are in the mood for a unique and delicious pizza.
(5)Rob B.
When we have a kid, this will be our main restaurant. This is not to be confused with being a "family restaurant" that should be avoided at all costs. Quite the contrary. They walk the fine line between being a casual dinner out with just the 2 of you and the place you bring a couple of the little brat's jungle gym buddies. Attentive waitstaff, creative desserts (chai creme brulee? yummy!), and fair prices. An East Arlington establishment to frequent.
(4)Greg S.
Favorite pizza place in Arlington, I used to live right down the street. The pizzas are creative and fresh, the crust is light and crisp, and the toppings are always tasty. The specials rotate, and usually include funky combos like mac and cheese, or smoked salmon and creme fraiche (sp?). I tried to mix up my order every time I went - I was never disappointed with a pizza. They also have a tasty selection of local beer, and a few wine choices. It's small and gets really crowded at dinner time, so do take out, get there early or just be ready to wait.
(4)Arik C.
A new Pizza and Salad restaurant in Arlington. Pizzas are cooked to order with a variety of options for toppings. Pizza crust is pretty good but many times I get a overcooked pizza where the cheese is way too brown. Toppings can add up the price as they are not cheap. Get a personal pizza with 4-5 toppings and what was $6 is now over $11. The salads are fantastic and they offer deserts as well but overall the pizza could be much better.
(3)Julia R.
The place for people who like to put fun or weird things on their pizza. Perfect for take-out. Recommend: Anything with potatoes, bacon, garlic, thyme... Don't recommend: Mac 'n cheese za.
(4)Paul G.
Love the idea of this place with crazy pizza combos like strawberries with goat cheese and onions, but the execution leaves much to be desired. I don't really understand all of the 4 star reviews as the pizza taste is rather average. Prices are a bit high and menu options are rather limited. Nice variety of non-traditional beers on tap.
(3)Dave P.
We're not coming back. The menu and decor all screamed high-end pizza restaurant. We were duped! We ordered the grilled chicken specialty pizza and a custom pizza with three extra ingredients. We also ordered two beers, two sodas, and a glass of wine. The total for the bill, including tip was $63. Yes, $63. The food is incredibly underwhelming if not mediocre at best. When our pizzas came out, they looked like frozen pizzas I might buy from grocery stores. Perfectly small, round, and it tasted like mediocre pizza. I still can't believe we paid $63 for our meal and drinks. Ridiculous. Even the service was mediocre. Even though we were there on a Tuesday night when the restaurant was fairly empty, our server checked in on us only a few times. We weren't told of the special pizzas on the special board so that was annoying because there isn't much to choose from the menu. I didn't know this until after we ordered and then I looked up to see the special board. The board is hard to see from the distance. Pretty disappointed overall.
(2)Chris H.
I'm handing out five stars because the experience at Za was just that superlative. I used to live in Northern Italy and the dining experience here was equal to the best I had in Italy. Service was terrific, food could not have been better. I like the extensive use of local ingredients. The wine list is tiny but well curated. I only wish I could have tried the impressive dessert menu but I was too full.
(5)Eunice E.
Za makes it look so simple... they take fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients and offer a variety of rotating (and amazing) 'zas and 'lads. Easy, right? But don't be fooled... easy doesn't mean not tasty or not impressive. My sweet potato pie was perfection on a thin crust, topped with banana peppers, basil, and a whole lot of deliciousness. Andrea B's apple pie (ha ha ha) looked awesome, too. Don't believe me? Check out the photos! They are worth a million words for sure... mostly ones like yum, mmm, and "can it be March again in Boston so these can be the seasonal specials on rotation?" (The only time I'll ever actively want it to be March in Boston.) We concluded our meal with the chocolate goat cheesecake, which wasn't my cup of tea... but if you like goat cheese, you will LOVE this dessert! The taste of goat cheese is so strong I could only take a few bites, but like I said: if you like it, you'll love it! The service was friendly, the restaurant was clean (love the chalk blackboard with the specials written on it hanging along the length of the wall), and street parking is free. All in all, a very good place for a lunch or casual dinner date.
(4)Andrea S.
Excellent, fresh and healthy pizza and salads. The person who took my order was really friendly (and checked on some dietary questions I had) and the service was equally great when we went to pick up our food. One pizza and a salad is a nice light dinner for two people! We'll be back for sure.
(4)Caitlin O.
Their Mac and Cheese pizza is amazing. The cheese sauce is extremely tasty and the crust is good too. They have good drinks as well and an outdoor patio and the staff is very friendly.
(5)Chris M.
Awesome, unique and well crafted pizza and salads. Wife and I have been going here for years and it never disappoints. Staff is always friendly and sometimes you do have to wait a little longer then you normally would for pizza but its definitely worth it!
(4)Katie O.
We built our own pizza, but let me tell you: order anything here, and you can't go wrong. Pizza: They make their own sausage and bread & butter jalapeños. Also, when they say roasted garlic? They mean ENTIRE CLOVES OF ROASTED GARLIC. Yum!!! They have incredible toppings and the crust is perfect. We also ordered the Caesar salad, which is perfectly tossed and the salad-to-dressing ratio is just right. For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Goat Cheesecake. Lordy!!! There was a beautiful zing to the chocolate cheesecake (because of the goat cheese) and the whipped cream was hand whipped right there in the kitchen. Everything here is from scratch and just...SO TASTY. Service: Incredible. Faviola was our waitress and she had the best attitude. Love her, and you will too.
(5)Michelle M.
The specials offer innovative pizza topping combinations. The ingredients are fresh, local, and delicious. We often pick up from here when we have company and are not disappointed. This is a great pick when you're in the mood for "fancy pizza".
(4)Zoe P.
Lazy AND pretentious. I've been called both, so I should know. But NEVER in regards to pizza. Also, I lived nearby for a few years. Audra, taking a historical perspective, has the salads pegged: molded and premade, dated in concept, and not-so-fresh in point of fact. Jake, who is doing more of a class analysis, captures the essential nastiness of the pizza itself: gummy and gimmicky and chronically undercooked. It looks cute from the sidewalk, and the open windows are nice. It's certainly not the worst pizza in Arlington, but it may be the most expensive bad pizza I've ever had.
(1)Audra Jamai W.
This place is terribly mediocre. It manifests some of the worst aspects of 90's food culture. It tastes as bad as Jennifer Anniston's first season "Rachel" haircut on Friends. Having lived down the block for almost 6 months I decided to check it out. After reviewing the menu online I was prepared to have this place be a new go-to spot. I ordered the beet salad. When it arrived I was shocked to find that it was a molded salad. That's when I knew this place was based on an out dated 90's concept that is as lame as it's name. The salad was definitely assembled ahead of time. I could tell because the beets stained all of the other ingredients. I suspect the beets used weren't fresh because they were cloyingly sweet. Overall it was a bad look. I ate all of the beet salad because I was starving and I'm not in the habit of wasting food. When the pizza arrived it was clear that the kitchen was in he habit of using pre-prepared ingredients and not cooking from fresh. The chicken on my pizza looked and tasted like the ready-made grilled chicken that can be picked up at the grocery store. The ingredient ratio was all wrong and the topping to crust proportion was disastrously unstable. I'm a military service member. I've deployed to Iraq. This is mentioned only to reveal my baseline. I've had more enjoyable meals while on deployment and while in the field.
(2)Claire G.
Za definitely has some pros and cons. Pros: awesome pizza. My go to is the Old School Potato pizza. It's really rich and tastes amazing. I've also tried the seasonal pizzas as well, the one with apple butter as a base is pretty good. Cons: Do not order the salad if you're looking for a "real" salad!! My mom ordered the sweet potato salad and it basically just sweet potatoes molded into the shape of a can. It was pretty bland and was not a salad whatsoever. Secondly, even when the restaurant isn't crowded (I only go during off hours), the service is pretty slow and mediocre. Overall, I would definitely recommend the pizza if you're looking for some great flavors. But do not go during prime hours and do not expect to get a leafy green salad.
(4)Will S.
Delicious specialty pizza. This place is usually crowded so I figured it's easier to order takeouts. They don't deliver. Quality of the pizza is good. Fresh ingredients. Chicken on pizza is flavorful. Caramelized onion is tender. Not too much sauce on the pizza. Tried the salad, portion too small in my opinion.
(5)Damien S.
"I wanted to like this place..." = kinda clichéd. So, let's go rogue on this bad boy. I wanted to dislike this place. The rotating menu of specialty pizzas includes a fig and goat cheese wonder that had Kara G panting to visit, only to have left the building well before we arrived. Same goes for all arugula, which made the Aruguloni pizza (mozzarella and pepperoni topped with and arugula salad dressed with citrus vinaigrette - straight from the chalkboard) little more than an acidic roni pie. So, inventory is an issue, even on a slow Sunday night. For what's left, nothing jumps out as overly creative or initially appealing. Then you've gotta consider the base "sauce" for most pies: a potato and sweet onion puree in lieu of the usual margherita style slicker. As if this devil bulb-infused lifeblood isn't enough, there are no more than two pizzas on the entire menu that don't include caramelized onions, raw red onions or oniony onions with a pinch of onion on top. Hate onions? Prepare a gritted smile. But then you order the Old School Potato - a Gruyere, thyme, bacon and spud 'za on a crisp and buttery crust, masterfully executed at a crazy reasonable $10 - and all preconceptions about a boring menu fly out the window. With the bold flavors, laid back environment and just-as-casual pricing, you can't dislike Za; it's culinarily impossible. Beers and wines poured, your table neighbors will likely be older Arlington residents and you might catch a little Kenny G on their Pandora channel. The namesake dish, though, is worth the trek.
(4)Precia H.
Za is hands-down, my favorite pizza ever. It is the my and the boy's favorite go-to place for lunch. Every time we go in we are seated promptly by our favorite server and given the most gracious service we could ask for. The menu is small. For me, that's a plus. I hate making decisions from massive menus and their's is nice and limited. We aren't picky people, so we always find something delicious. All of the salads are wonderfully fresh and well seasoned, and the pizzas are perfect. The desserts are to die for; especially the goat cheese cheesecake. Normally we will split a salad, pizza, and dessert. This is a perfect amount of food for the two of us, though we don't eat as much as the average 'murrican. tl;dr- Try Za. Unless you are super picky and impossible to please, you will have fun.
(5)Rebecca M.
Za is interesting... I really, really wanted to like it. Its cute and has interesting menu choices (Fig and Goat Cheese? Bing Cherry?) Sadly, it was just sub-par. Za does seem to have a following of older Arlington natives, so I think they will be ok. Its worth checking out. Maybe they will feature a pizza that you will fall in love with. Maybe not...
(3)Desiree D.
Great Salads and great fresh pizza toppings, would have given it 4 stars but thought the crust was not great, good but not great. Service was very good, bit loud inside but that may have been because we had 2 people next to us who were obnoxiously loud! I would give it another go and you should too!
(3)Ana R.
My fella just moved to Arlington and after a bike through his new neighborhood, we stopped at Za for a late dinner. I expected a place that was tremendously obnoxious and pretentious, which is what I equate to that list of never-used two-letter Scrabble words that only assholes know and use as if "of course, 'Za' is a common slang term for pizza". No it isn't, folks. And if you knew someone who said "let's order some za for dinner" you'd probably punch him right in his popped collar. That being said Za is only a little bit pretentious. They have a tiny menu, but it's packed with flavor. Confoundingly, their specials are more expensive than the normal menu. Aren't specials the entrees they want to sell lots of because they have ingredients on hand that they need to use? Whatever. These specials are all locally sourced, farm raised, free range, etc, so they're more expensive. Luckily, the regular menu has lots of delightful things to choose from. We shared the beet salad (sans red onion) which was Gone in 60 Seconds starring Nic Cage. I Love Beets. I love everything about them. I even love The Beets, that band from Bluffington. Our waiter suggested we each get a personal pizza because they're small. They are certainly smaller than a regular pizza but one of Za's pies would be fine to share with someone else when you've already scarfed down a plate of beets. The grilled chicken "za" (Grilled Chicken, Broccoli, Caramelized Onion, Fresh Garlic, Diced Tomato, EVOO and Four Cheeses) was so great. It tasted really fresh, you could decipher all the ingredients in your mouth. It was really yummy and I loved it next day for lunch. On the other hand, the Mac n' Cheese "za" (Elbow Macaroni, Caramelized Onion, Cream Sauce, Four Cheeses and Toasted Bread Crumbs) was very bland to me, though the fella liked it a lot. It lacked something to punch through all that cream and mellow cheese. Something like... BACON! Or I dunno, salt. Pizzas range from $8-$12.50, though when you start making your own combos it can get expensive fast ($1.50-$2 per topping). Our starter salad was $7.50 for a very healthy portion (def for two). The decor is relaxed. Modern without feeling clinical. The waiter was nice without being pushy. And the bathroom was clean. All great points. I will definitely return!
(4)Simon P.
Za is a good neighborhood choice for pizza and a beer. It is small, good if you drag the kids along, and has top notch service. Pizzas are small but tasty, and should serve two unless you really like to pack it in. In all, a good and low-key neighborhood joint that deserves a visit.
(5)Jennifer S.
I picked up pizzas for take out. The pizzas were all delicious you won't be disappointed.
(4)Afsoon L.
Discovered this place about 5 months ago and We eat here at least once a week ! Fresh ingredients , friendly atmosphere and Consistent quality !! Glad we found this place !!
(4)Chann C.
Wow, what an awesome pizza joint!!! Came here with some friends last night and we all had a great time. We ordered a bunch of things and shared it with everyone. We got there around 6:40 and it was packed. The atmosphere was very lively. Our hostess said the wait would be 25-30 minutes, but we got seated in about 15 minutes. To start off, we had their popular crisp iceberg lettuce salad with a creamy buttermilk dressing, the butternut squash salad with a maple vinaigrette and the romaine lettuce salad with white anchovies and a lemon caesar dressing. The iceberg lettuce salad and butternut squash salad were the favorites. The romaine salad was a tad bit too salty for me. Now, it's on to the pizza. Mmmmm, delicious slices of heaven. These were the kinds we ordered: * old school potato - chunks of potato, bits of bacon, gruyere cheese (needed some more salt/bacon) * bosc pear, caramelized onion, walnuts, dried cranberries (interesting and tasty) * portabello mushroom, roasted red pepper, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, goat cheese (the caramelized onions are SO good) * make your own pizza - tomato, mozzarella, sausage, diced pineapples * make your own pizza - tomato, mozzarella, jalapeños, pepperoni, mushroom My personal favorite was the portabello mushroom pizza. I loved the whole roasted garlic and the creamy goat cheese. Everyone seemed to enjoy all the pizza we ordered. We definitely had a lot of leftovers! Some of us also had room for dessert. Oh, I ALWAYS have room for dessert. Oh yes. We got the lemon tart with raspberries, bourbon pecan pie, and caramel/cashew/chocolate pie. They all come with homemade whipped cream. Boy, were they all DELICIOUS! I am such a huge fan of pecan pie and their pie is definitely up there as one of my favorites. I love Za for using farm-fresh ingredients and having unique pizzas. This place strikes me as the kind of place all the locals seem to be at on a Friday/Saturday night. This is not the last you will see of me. Until next time!
(4)Jennifer F.
Terrific local pizza joint with great and interesting pizzas. I had the modified Caesar salad and it was really awesome. I followed it with a 10" chicken, garlic, onion, and Broccoli which was really was amazing. I brought the leftovers home and had them for a snack this evening..so good! The wait staff was amazing and took very good care of me. What I really dug was that it is a local joint...the waitress was chatting up a patron and they were just having a lovely chat. I will definitely be back...
(5)Aaron K.
Great pizza. Any topping you can imagine they have, and they're all fresh. Definitely some farm to table toppings going on here (recently had native wild ramp). While the pizzas only come in a personal size, the ones with toppings are very filling. We never finish a pizza per person. However one never seems to be quite enough for 2 since they are so damn good! We never stray from the pizzas but the salads look awesome! Maybe one day... We did try the goat cheese chocolate cake that was raved about on yelp, none of us really liked the goat cheese flavor. Definitely our favorite gourmet ZA. Tip : Use call ahead seating to avoid waiting too long.
(4)Andrea L.
Solidly and reliably good pizza. Odd and delicious varieties. The place is comfy and usually between 2/3 full and full. The service has always been fine. Prices really aren't bad (from an ex bostonian now in the thrifty world of Portland, OR). A good place for kids or a group - just not too rowdy a group. Not a place I would want to spend hours.. but that's a rarity for me anyway.
(4)Pam C.
Checked this place out with a couple of friends. It's located on a corner next to a street with a lot of very cute little stores - overall a very quaint setting. A friend who lives a few blocks down introduced us to the place - awesome concept with a lot of really cool pizza toppings on rotation. It seems to be frequented by Arlington residents, and has a really nice homey vibe to it. Our eyes practically popped out of our heads when we saw the Mac n Cheese 'za and the potato/mashed potato-bacon 'za. Starch on top of more starch? Yes please. The toppings were very generously piled on, and the end result was heart-stopping, starchy goodness. I felt like I may have developed gluten intolerance when I finished my pizza. Our waitress suggested we each order our own pizza, because they were pretty small pan pizzas. The actual pizzas kind of straddle the line - they're a little too big for one person to eat without feeling a little sick, but they're kind of small for two people to share. The only solution, therefore, is the former. Even if you can't finish it, you're not going to want to share. We got the Mac n Cheese 'za, which was probably the weakest of the three - the mac and cheese had been baked on top of the dough, but instead of getting a delicious cheezy flavour it instead got a little stale and dry; I felt that it wasn't very cheesy and actually a little bland. The bread crumbs were a very nice touch. We also got a potato-bacon-chive pizza, which was fantastic - the potato was very soft and the touch of bacon was mouthwatering. Portabello Mushroom, Roasted Red Pepper, Caramelized Onion 'za was also fantastic - it was topped with goat cheese that gave it a really strong punch. The salads come served in a compact cylinder. Service was great, pizzas were great - would absolutely recommend to anyone in the area. PET PEEVE: It was a dark and stormy night, and we walked into Za and it was... pitch black. Seriously, a few lights would not have hurt. I really can't stand restaurants that aren't lit - I like to see my food when I eat it.
(4)Randolph Z.
The name makes it. Upside: responsible, local-partnered ingredients. Say what you will about local sourcing, it takes chutzpah to employ it. Not sure if they're organic, or how well employees are treated. Pending those, it would get five stars automatically. Other pluses: not terribly expensive for a place with class. Near transit. Only downside: I don't particularly like the location.
(5)Rachel F.
Just go to Flatbread if you want a fresh, local, organic pizza and salad place. Wasn't inedible but I wouldn't spend my money here again.
(2)Lynette S.
Something has changed: me or the food---not sure. I went back more recently and really liked the food, a lot. I got an avocado salad and pizza. Was with a group of 5-6, all food was delicious.
(4)Donna S.
Went to Za yesterday with my husband for date night. Really wanted to try this place for awhile, so glad we did. The food was so fresh and delicious and the service was excellent. Our server was attentive and personable. (wish I had gotten her name). It is a cozy little place and it is very clean. Can't wait to go back. .
(5)Ann Marie F.
I had high hopes for Za because this is the closest "nice" pizza place to our new house, but it was not good and overpriced for the quality. We got a spinach salad from the specials menu ($8.00) and a 10-inch cheese pizza with pickled jalapenos and onions ($11.00). The salad was so small it was comical, smaller than a typical side salad at a restaurant. It tasted fine, but it was seriously 6 bites. The pizza was the correct size, but the crust was very underdone, almost raw, and because it was underdone, it was very soft and doughy all the way through. I know that different pizza places have different style crusts, but it just seemed like it was made wrong or with no regard to quality. I may give them one more chance, but just one, because there are plenty of pizza places in the area with at least comparable quality and better prices.
(2)Sara C.
Delicious pizza, specials are always innovative and tasty, atmosphere is lovely, AND they have amazing desserts. Try the lemon tart, you won't regret it.
(5)Jenn S.
I was meeting a friend for dinner in Arlington and, upon seeing Yelp reviews, we decided to try Za. Looking at the menu ahead of time, both of us could not wait and decided that this might have to be our new meeting place, so we can try all the pizzas! I was able to get a parking spot RIGHT out front, which was great. I had done call ahead, but the place was pretty empty (it was 5:30 on a Monday) and my friend was already at a table. We ended up splitting 2 pizzas, which were 10-inches each. Perfect amount and we both had leftovers for lunch the next day! We went with a chalkboard special pizza, which had mushrooms (we got those on only 1/2, since I don't like them), potato puree, sweet onion and I think Gruyere cheese?? I don't see it on their online menu. It was similar to the Aruguloni (Potato Puree, Sweet Onion, Mozzarella and Pepperoni topped with Arugula, Red Onion, Diced Tomato, Parmesan and Citrus Vinaigrette), but not quite. It was a white pizza, which I never like as much as regular. It was tasty, but rich and not nearly as flavorful as I expected. Our other pizza was a plain pepperoni, which was awesome. It's hard to mess up a plain 'roni - and they didn't. The pieces are VERY small, but that just means you can eat more! The waiter and hostess were very friendly and it's a casual, intimate place. The next day, my friend said she's happy if we make this our go-to place and I agreed! Next time, we might have to try the Aruguloni, which the waiter said was his favorite. Hopefully next time they will have the Fig and Goat Cheese Pizza (the picture on here had us both drooling) or the Gala Apple and Cheddar pizza. YUM.
(4)Tyler A.
How have I not reviewed this place yet? I have come here multiple times with multiple people and everyone agrees...it is excellent! The pizza is awesome, diverse, affordable and filling. The salads are quite good as well and the deserts are fantastic. All and all very affordable. Also, the staff is quite friendly and I have always enjoyed my interactions with them. This establishment is excellent for all occasions be it date night, dinner with friends or family, or even if you want your kids to eat good pizza instead of chuck e cheese. I brought my girlfriend here, and she is a bit of a pizza snob (she is from New Jersey and NYC) and this is one of her favorite spots for pizza...and mine too!
(5)Andy V.
Za (slang for PizZa, get it?) stands alone among all the pizza places in the Boston area. It's not thick crust, Chicago-style, it's not New York, thin crust, it's not Jersey-style, tomato pies. It's not "Boston-style" aka Greek pizza (yuk, too oily, saucy-sweet), it's not "coal or brick or wood or whatever-fired oven". It's Za-style. Now, I am from NYC and I take my pizzas as seriously as I take my bagels and I have yet to find a decent bagel place in New England. So don't try to give me any pizza pretenders. Forgettaboutit! I want something original. Well, Za delivers. The best way to describe Za is "farm-to-table" pizza. Many, but not all the toppings and salad innards come from local farms, usually Verril Farms in Concord. Butternut squash, pumpkin, apple, etc. You'll find them either on a pizza or in a salad. The pizza's themselves have eight slices and is an ample portion for a couple with an eye on living a long and healthy life. The crusts are crispy, and the sauces range from the standard tomato-based, which is quite good and fresh, to the more unusual. What's unique about any of the pizzas is that all the constituent ingredients stand out on the palate individually and collectively. In other words you can taste everything but the flavors come together harmoniously to provide a quite rich sensory experience. They'll be a pizza party in your mouth! Za has a reasonably priced wine list with featured specials and a decent craft-beer selection ( but the sparse selection will leave craft beer aficionados wanting, I am sure). One surprise is that the desserts are quite good, obviously selected and prepared with care. I've sampled the chocolate goat cheesecake and the apple creme brulee recently and both are outstanding. If there is one disappointment, it is with the coffee which is the standard run of the mill drip-carafe sitting around too long arrangement. I wondered about this seemingly lack of interest in brewing a decent cup, given Barismo is not too far down the street and asked the management. Interestingly, the strategy is to use the mediocre coffee as a way to prevent customers from lingering too long after dessert. You'll notice serving sizes are small and you wont be offered a refill (not that you'd want one). So, save for this weird customer rotation strategy, I highly recommend Za's for its fresh, tasty, and unique pizzas, creatively thoughtful desserts, and reasonably priced wine.
(4)Jeff F.
We rolled in here on Friday to get our pizza fix. I'd classify this as the 'go-to" family pizza joint in Arlington. Great atmosphere, solid food if you sticks to the pizzas (not sure the salads and desserts are their strong suit). Here's the rundown on the grub: - both salads we had were average (the burrata special and the avocado, black bean, tomato, etc...). Lourdes Burrata was actually questionable at best. - The pies are what I refer to as "House of Pizza" style pies which both my better half and I like: Tomato & Mozz and Grilled Chicken, Broccoli & Carmelized Onions - enjoyed both of these, but will come back here just for the tomato & Mozz Worth putting in rotation. We'll be back to explore more of the pies. 2nd visit (March-ish 2015 - Beef Bomb and Tomato & Mozz were fantastic. Salads are ridiculous. This is easily my favorite: Local Farm's Butternut Squash, Apple, Red Onion, Smoked Goat Cheese,Parsley with Toasted Walnuts, Pea Greens and Maple Vinaigrette Incredibly kid-friendly which is a huge selling point with a 14 month old.
(4)Emily A.
Yummy pizza and salads. Friendly staff every time I've been there. And family-friendly. Booths available which are perfect for us. If you're in the mood for fresh pizza and are a Flatbread Pizza fan, you'll like this. Small, simple restaurant style-wise, but the ingredients and flavor speak for themselves. Most recently got the zucchini pizza, a regular cheese pizza and the beet salad. Liked the beet salad more than the arugula/ watermelon salad but both refreshing.
(5)Andrea B.
Do you like carbs? Silly question. Of course you do. So get yourself over to Za and try their mac n' cheese pizza, a.k.a. carb overload. It won't knock your socks off, but you can't take elbow macaroni, caramelized onions, cream sauce, multiple kinds of cheese, and toasted bread crumbs, and throw them on a pizza without it coming together as a really tasty treat. There's the carb fix you so desperately needed (caution though - your skinny jeans won't thank you). If you're not too full (you won't be, that pizza is pretty small), try the chocolate goat cheesecake. Yum. It's clearly the most popular dessert choice. The only problem is that sometimes they run out of it. Service is super friendly, and in my two experiences here, super fast as well. Add the fact that they're just a short walk down the street from where I live, and it's pretty much guaranteed that I will be back for more carb-filled pizza goodness.
(4)Lara W.
Za beckons you in from the street. Like, you want her to go on, to explain...to finish her name (only one syllable? two letters? Such a tease!) and let you in through the magic curtains already. I decided to go for it when I read that they had a special Gala apple pizza with apple butter, cheddar cheese, sweet onions, sage and toasted pumpkin seeds/pepitas. The apple butter made the cross a little soggier than I was hoping for but it was a pleasant adventure. The dessert list, with a goat cheese chocolate cake, really intrigued me but I didn't go there. Not on the first date. Four stars not necessarily for the pizza but for the potential: a bit of creativity is much appreciated.
(4)Missy M.
Za has pizza, salad, desert, and wine. There's really NOTHING else on their menu, not even regular Italian appetizers, but the pizza is very good. The toppings are unusual but it's not that barely recognizable flat-bread super pretentious crap that I hate so much. Just good pizza with cool shit on it.
(4)Lillian P.
I went here about half a year ago and it was pretty good. I sadly didn't get to eat in but had ordered the beet salad and a mushroom pizza. The pizza for me wasn't anything to amazing. Being from New York I tend to like a NY style more which wasn't anything like Za's. The toppings were pretty taste just didn't enjoy the crust to much. The beet salad I loved it was very creamy and must have been tons of calories. If I ever go back to Boston I will def. get the beets again but as a meal in itsef.
(4)Abhishek J.
The place is ok. Good environment, but it is often empty. It's a simple bar.
(3)Vivian C.
Menu's the same for lunch as for dinner, but this spot is open for lunch daily which is more than you can say for many a restaurant. The chalkboard specials sounded absolutely amazing, so that's where we made our selections. * Kimball Farm's Tomatoes & Basil, Lourdes' Burratine, Reduced Balsamic & EVOO $8.00 Burratine? Sounds similar to burrata... could it be the same thing in a different size, like how there are different names for fresh mozzarella of different shapes or sizes? Our server described it as mozzarella on the outside and marscapone on the inside. Yes! It was creamy thick marscapone center with a familiar tender mozz exterior, plus fresh mini juicy heirloom tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil... I was happy. Great start! Okay, pizza time! * Kimball Farm's Corn, Potato Puree, Smoked Bacon, Sweet Onions, Mozz, Thyme, Scallions $11.50 * Figs, Gorgonzola, Caramelized Onions, Fresh Garlic, White Truffle Oil and Parsley $11.00 The pizzas came out hot and crispy thin crusts with plenty of toppings. The crusts were not just crispy on the edges, but even below the toppings where things usually get a bit soft. * Ginger + Verrill Farm's Blueberry Creme Brulee w/Fresh Whipped Cream $6 The creme brulee was a great portion; much deeper than other more expensive & more shallow ones I've eaten before. The bruleed top is where I sensed the ginger, while a nice pool of blueberry sauce hung out at the bottom of the dish. The creme brulee was nice and light. A touch eggier than normal, which is probably why it reminded my friend of a Chinese egg dessert (dun dan), but still tasty. We had great service here; she even checked on the level of my hot water!
(4)James H.
Went here tonight for the first time. I've taken note of some recent really bad reviews and have to say they seem a bit harsh given my experience. Service (Aaron) was top notch. The place is casual and comfortable with some tableside window views of Mass Ave. Only tried one salad, which was fine, so no complaints there. The ONLY thing that would give me pause about a return is the pizza crust--I like it crispy and this was too underdone and doughy for me. Love Cambridge One pizza, for example, if y'all know that place in Harvard Sq. Want to like you bad Za, so cook the pizza a bit more!
(3)Helen V.
Good pan pizzas and service! We got the fig and gorgonzola pizza, and another with potatoes and corn. The waitress brought out both pizzas, but one was missing corn. It probably is a common mistake because two of the pizzas on the menu with potatoes differed only by a couple ingredients. We didn't say anything to the server, but the manager stops by near the end of our meal and apologizes for their mistake. He goes on to tell us that the correct pizza is on its way out to our table. At that point, we could not eat a third pizza between the two of us. So, Jeff had it wrapped up and ready to go at the end our meal. I really appreciate that! At another point, I saw a table of girls celebrating birthdays and Jeff handed them a couple of desserts on the house and wished them happy birthday! The pizza itself is good; I do like the crust here better than most places in MA. The pan crust has a nice light crunch with a little soft buttery bread taste. Great stuff. I liked the combinations for the special pizzas, but I don't think I would come here ordering the simple tomato, mozzarella, and basil. If I was craving the simple stuff, I would probably just make it myself..., but that's a different standard. Come here, you'll be taken care of. I like Jeff and their pizzas!
(4)M C.
Outstanding service, customer service, and creative delish food. Never a disappointment! Great "go to" neighborhood restaurant!
(5)Frank B.
For modern bistro pizza, Za has a good assortment of ingredients and suggestions when you are looking to be inspire. I have had combinations such as, "-Shiitake Mushroom, Sweet Onion, Potato Puree, Gruyere, Parmesan, Scallion and Truffle Oil" that are pleasant. They have great Kalamata Olives. The one dine-in experience on a busy Sunday evening took far longer than I had hoped to get served and fed, despite there being an adequate number of servers. The take-out is usually extremely fast and efficient. I would be willing to try dine-in again, and would have no reservations about to-go orders.
(3)Sarah G.
I had been dreaming of this mac and cheese pizza for quite some time........I mean come on. If you like carbs and cheese, you already love pizza, so why not bring it to that next level and throw more carbs and cheese on top of carbs and cheese by having a mac and cheese pizza!!!! And I finally got a chance to try their pizza and I was definitely not disappointed. The mac and cheese on top was even browned a little from the oven!!! And little toasted breadcrumbs with that cream sauce and four types of cheese and the bites that had the caramelized onions in them just sent me overboard!! And hooray for a place that had pretty awesome crust too! We also got their pizza that was topped with sweet potato, bacon, more of that tasty caramelized onions, scallions, and tons of hot peppers and of course MORE CHEESE! ha ha Yes, I do love cheese. But I truly enjoy anything that goes well with cheese too and both of these pizzas were pretty awesome in my book. Their salads were a little on the small side, and the avocado salad really is a salad of avocado--just an fyi there! When we opened up our take out from Za we thought they had forgotten to give us spinach or lettuce! But turns out it literally is a salad of avocado which is good for me! (but I still added in some spinach leaves from home, otherwise it would have been a little like eating guacamole raw which I normally am down for, but only if I am eating Mexican and not pizza ha)
(4)Tracy V.
Delicious! Everything is so fresh and the food scrumptious! I just wish this place was bigger because it is always packed and it gets a bit tight in the restaurant.
(4)Stephanie G.
OUTSTANDING PIZZA OUTSTANDING SERVICE!!!! This is the best pizza I've ever had. They make delicious amazing specialty pizzas and also make custom pizzas with whatever your heart desires on it. The prices are very reasonable and the coffee, hot or cold, is delicious. I can't say enough good things about this place except that you must try it. My favorite is the mac n cheese pizza. The servers and hostesses are very kind and very helpful. Despite them all being younger than your average server they do an outstanding job. They know exactly what they are doing. One thing that could be improved is that while they advertise as pizza and salads their salads are very very small and are never a dinner size and are really pre-pizza. They also need a much wider selection of salads. So to clarify there really isn't anything here for members of your party that don't like pizza. Be wary this place gets very busy Friday and Saturday nights. GO TO THIS PLACE!
(5)Lauren P.
I love this place. I used to live just up the street, and it was a go-to dinner venue. The pricing is pretty good, and the portions are excellent. My sister, bro-in-law, and I used to go pretty often -- now I love introducing new people to Za who do not often head out into Arlington. (Haven't been to the new location in Kendall; I'd rather stick to the original.) My favorite starter is the beet + goat cheese salad, which is always perfect. Keep in mind, it's mostly beet--it's not one of those arugula salads with beets thrown in. No. It is chopped beets + mandarin oranges + goat cheese shaped into a little tower on your plate. Amazing. Every pizza is delicious, and you can request your own combinations. I've probably tried close to every pizza they offer, but my favorite is still the caramelized onion + fig + goat cheese they offer seasonally. All ingredients are local. (The family also owns EVOO, which is more of a fine-dining establishment.) Za in Arlington is family friendly. The wait is not usually too long. They don't serve liquor, but they have some good wine/beer offerings. The owner is friendly, as is the wait-staff. I definitely suggest this place for a casual date or if you're getting a bite to eat with a few friends.
(5)Dorise G.
Best pizza I've had in Boston. Potentially the most unique pizza I've had anywhere. Have you ever had a strawberry, goat cheese, toasted walnut, and caramelized onion pizza before? I didn't think so. Come to Za and this sad situation will be rectified. Seriously, whoever thought to bake strawberries into pizza was an effing genius. No surprise I loved this place so much, since EVOO, their sister restaurant, is also one of my faves. Za, like EVOO, also features local ingredients and an ever-changing seasonal pizza menu. Service went really quickly at peak dinner time on a Saturday night. Also, cuz I notice these sort of things - if you get a bevvy they're there w/a refill when you still have 1/3 of your glass left. They don't charge you for the refills, even of the good stuff. Pretty nice :)
(5)Sean M.
Hands down, worst restaurant pretending to be a great restaurant in Mass. The service was garbage: the waitress first couldn't remember the drinks, which started off my night in a bad way (i'm certainly not a snob). She did not check in with us at all. She did not fill our waters. She was aloof the entire evening. No, it was not a busy night either so there was no excuse. She also forgot two of the entree salads that we ordered. As for the food: garbage. Do yourself a favor and just go get some frozen pizza or Dominos for much less money, honestly, it will probably be better. The pizza at Za was pretending to be creative, but was horrible in proportions, pretty awkward in terms of ingredients (relish? on a Chorizo pizza?), not to mention cold. They also told us that they would reimburse parking? Nope. Oh, and the salads didn't make sense and were also garbage.
(1)Megan L.
Awwwwwwwwwwww yeah. We got takeout from Za on a whim and boy were we happy. I got the sweet potato pizza with bacon, scallions and carmelized onions, and OMG, was it good. Crispy and salty and slightly sweet...heaven. The hub got sausage and roasted garlic. More of a traditional pizza and I have to say that I really enjoyed the sauce. Even though it was just takeout, it was really well done, and we will definitely be going in to sit down sometime soon. I'm eyeing the mac & cheese pizza. So, Za, I'm impressed. We'll meet again.
(5)Heather P.
My friends and I dined there this past Sunday, two in our party had a bacon pizza, both , one of which is an elderly gentleman, got severe cramps and diarrhea . The manager we spoke to was impersonal and asked, after simply stating symptoms, asked, "did you eat the salad?" . Of course at this point the rabbits of the group were a bit concerned. The manager was then informed it was the guests dining on the bacon pizza. Response was generic, "we'll check our product suppliers and call you back" Day two, no phone call back. Conclusion that may be drawn from uninformed guests, according to the manager, would be if you dine here...do not eat salad or have it touch your bacon pizza. really??? Za...get yourself new management.
(2)Louise M.
We were really hungry that day when we ate at Za. Just got into town and wanting lobster roll. With no car and no directions in Arlington, MA, we didn't know where to go. Since we were famished, we started walking down Massachusetts Ave, and found a diner, a Chinese restaurant, and Za. My brother in law, who had been staying in town for 3 weeks, told me and my sister, that Za was great. But since we weren't hungry for pizza, we weren't excited about going there. However, after mulling over our choices of restaurants that were walking distance, Za was it. It said on their name "Pizza and Salads." They weren't kidding. They served pizza and salads. It was a small menu with assorted selections of gourmet type toppings for pizza, and several salads. They had a big black board with their specials as well that seemed to be interesting. But we only ordered a 10 inch pizza. I thought it tasted ok - I loved that I opted for garlic on the pizza, along with sausage and mushroom. The garlic was a great addition. My sister thought the crust and the feel of the pizza was like a frozen kind. I didn't mind it, especially since it helped satisfy our hunger. The service was pleasant and price was very affordable. It was A-OK.
(3)Jason J.
#NAME?
(4)Shannon M.
I have only been here once, but I have been meaning to go back because I loved it! Even though there was a long wait for a table, we noticed the manager going around to people offering to get them something to drink while they waited. VERY thoughtful. I have only seen this at a couple other places, and while it is a small gesture, it makes a BIG impression. We started with an avocado salad that was really delicious. It had black beans, tomato, red onion, jalapeno, cheese, cilantro, lime vinaigrette, topped with sour cream. The portion is tiny, so while it is a perfect appetizer, probably not enough for a meal. For the pizza, you can order one of their specialty pizzas or create your own. We decided to create our own and ordered a tomato and mozzarella pizza topped with homemade sausage, red pepper, and kalmatta olives. My mouth is starting to salivate just thinking about it...
(4)Meghan B.
Delicious pizza! I had the chicken and broccoli one and was intrigued by all the specials. I will definitely be back. I knocked it down one star as our service was very slow for lunch and there were only 4 tables. It took us over an 1 hr and a 1/2 to finish up.
(4)Tasha L.
Za is still my favorite pizza and the only worthwhile reason to visit Arlington..
(5)Wendy C.
Delicious and unique pizza. In the fall/winter time, they had this pizza with pumpkin seeds. The most delicious topping I've ever had on pizza. Need it again NOW. There is also a fig and gorgonzola pizza during the Spring (?) season that I enjoyed here. The tall skinny man is very hospitable.
(4)Jean B.
I've been to Za a few times and I really enjoy it. If you're sick of the same old pizza joints and want to try something a little more up-scale, give Za a try. They do have a rather limited menu, but often, the best restaurants do. Do a few things and do them well, right? I really enjoy the Portabello Mushroom, Roasted Red Pepper, Caramelized Onion, Roasted Garlic, Mozzarella Cheese and Goat Cheese Specialty Pizza. What a great flavor combination. I don't know what it is with the Mac n cheese pizza trend, I'm not a big fan myself, but Za's interpretation of the Mac n cheese pizza is a cut above the rest. Conveniently located on Mass Ave in East Arlington, Za is a refreshing addition to the pizza landscape of the area. They also specialize in Organic and locally grown ingredients, so if you're like me and care to know about the origins of the food you're eating, this place fits the bill. Their pricing is reasonable for what you're getting, in fact, I think they're about the same price as comparably sized pizzas at Domino's (for example). Can you believe that? Domino's... I'd take Za over Domino's any day of the week. So there you have it. Give Za a try!
(4)Jude M.
Been A few times, better options locally. Crust is terrible, trendy ingredients for the yup/hip crowd. Waitstaff is a constant turnover. Won't be back, I can make much better myself at home...
(2)Linda A.
Loved this place! I had the beet salad -- my current passion -- and this one is better than most I've had. Split the fig pizza which was so yummy. There is call ahead which we took advantage of since I had heard that it gets crowded especially on weekends, however, we sat right down when we got there. Will definitely go back!!
(5)jaimie w.
I was a tiny bit weary when I walked into Za because it was packed full of patrons. I am intolerant of awkward standing and watching people eat, willing them to finish and pay so I can take their place. Za doesn't have a bar, so it was an awkward wait. Mental note: go in the summer when it's better to stand outside. But the pizza is pretty friggin' good. The mac 'n' cheese pizza was outta sight. It's literally mac 'n' cheese on pizza and super filling. Truly the pizzas are the reason to go. The bar is(was) limited to beer and wine only. The appetizers and salads were pretty common. But who needs those when the pizza is delicious.
(5)Charlotte G.
Fresh, comfortable and really tasty! Great for casual dinner with friends or visiting family... Nice place to hang out and chat. I recommend the chalk board specials - they are all made with local, seasonal ingredients. They are what make the place special. So yummy!
(4)Heather R.
Went to Za with a friend for drinks and salad. We had been there before several times and loved it. Drinks came without issue, and we ordered salads. I ordered the butternut squash salad, which came with fresh arugula on top. As I picked up my fork to dig in, a multi-legged bug crawled out to greet me. Not wanting to make a scene, I flagged down a waiter and showed him the bug. His first question: "Did it fly in through the window?" Now while the window was open, this bug did not have wings. "No," I replied. They took the salad away. Later, when the bill came (I was not charged for the salad), the waiter says, "Hey, that's what happens when you eat local." Hey...what?! I mean, I get it--bugs are from the earth and so is arugula. If this had happened in my home kitchen, my mistake. But you're a restaurant, wash your "local" food better. And if you make a mistake, it wouldn't kill you to apologize. The complete lack of reaction or remorse makes me think this isn't the first time someone's found a surprise friend in their food.
(1)Paul L.
Pizza is good but not great. The beer selection is good.
(3)Anne W.
If you've ever been to Urbana-Champaign, you'd know that Za's serves mediocre salads, pizzas, and paninis. So you can imagine my hesitation when I come here and find a place that serves similar things. They are not apart of the same chain of places... this place is much more delicious. Stopped by here for a quick lunch and was told that they make things on the menu targeted towards what the local farmers grow. Sounds good... we both got pizzas.. I got this lamb pizza and it was really good. My friend just got a cheese pizza and was also pleasantly surprised. Not cheap.. but decently priced. And yes, they have alcohol!
(4)Stacy M.
The whiny little girl within me always mutters "but it's Arlington- why is it so busy!? every time I expect to waltz in on a random Friday or Saturday night. Like Arlington ain't worth a great, busy restaurant. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Order a couple of their salads. The wedge salad (iceberg, bacon, tomatoes, etc.) is always a good choice. Personally, I'm a fan of their avocado, black bean, tomato, red onion one. It's served in a neat little stack and has a nice balance of flavors and textures. 2. Split a "make your own" pizza. Sure, it's a little intimidating to put your own together, but all the ingredients are top-notch and whomever is behind the oven knows how to balance out the proportions so you get maximum yum. 3. If you're in a hurry, don't go on a Friday or Saturday night. They do get busy and you end up having to share a bench with a really pouty 30 something, loudly smacking her lips. *sigh* How embarrassing!
(4)Kerry T.
The food was great. I especially loved the avocado salad and the Shiitake Mushroom, Sweet Onion, Potato Puree, Gruyere, Parmesan, Scallion and Truffle Oil pizza. I also enjoyed the macaroni pizza. We were seated quickly and had good service.
(5)Danielle M.
Being from the South Shore, and the the South Shore having the best places for bar pizza hands down, Za does a pretty great job at pulling at my heart strings. It's not just any bar pizza either, it's upscale and they use local and fresh ingredients. I've ordered take out on numerous occasions and dined in once. It is a pretty small and cramped eatery. But if you can get over any claustrophobia you may have, I would definitely dine in. They have many different "exotic" pizza's however I always turn to the mac and cheese or just plain cheese. You can't go wrong with either. They have chalkboard specials that are forever changing. Their salads are on the different end. Don't expect your typical iceberg salad here. I ordered the haas avocado salad, very unusual presentation, but yummy none the less. I live within the area of this restaurant so parking is never an issue for me, however since it is on Mass Ave. people who drive here might find parking a bit difficult. My only really gripe with this establishment is I order from here quite frequently (at least once a week) and they seem to "misplace" my order half the time. They always ask if I ordered from the Za in Arlington (since there are two locations) and I always reply yes and show them the call I made to them 20 minutes prior (I live 2 minutes away why would I call Kendall Square location for take out?) I've received a few pizza's on the house because of this and they are extremely apologetic, which in this day in age is very comforting and goes along way in my book! Great customer service!!
(4)JD H.
Just went here for the second time. I want to add a star. The pizza was so fresh and potato salad was so invigorating and beautiful.
(5)T K.
As close as to CT pizza you will ever get. Excellent! Tangy sauce, buttery crust, fresh cheese... Thank You!
(5)Andrea G.
OK... Let me tell you... if you're looking for two things and two things only you've came to the right spot! Gourmet jacked up Mama Celeste Pizza & Salad... that is all they serve. BUT they do it WELL! I would not write home about the pizza dough itself, but the toppings are so far out and at times crazy, that I simply cant resist giving them 5 stars. I have never gone there and had a even slightly bad experience. The nightly salad and pizza specials always blow me away! The beat salad can't be beat! I have strayed and tried a few of the specials but I always go back to my good ole faithful! Most of the ingredients comes from local farmers and the place really promotes a sense of community. The servers are all pretty well versed and seem to all share an earthy welcoming vibe, which is cool with me! Around 6pm on any weekday night the place usually has a line out the door so if you don't like waiting outside during the winter (seating is a little crowded inside) then I suggest going a little later!
(5)Big M.
I was skeptical at first because I didn't know how they could only serve pizza and salad, but Holy Hell was the pizza amazing..
(4)Talin B.
Great food and service....too bad the waitress that served us is leaving for few months to South America.
(5)William B.
This is a great place and one I'm planning on going back to. In a nutshell it's a "gourmet" take on the stereotypical pizza that we all know and love. The menu is varied and fun... (first time I've seen butternut squash, leeks, and caramelized onions all on the same pizza), and it all works. The place serves soda and has a very impressive wine list at the same time interestingly enough; while we were there we were surrounded on one side by a hockey dad and his 3 young lads, and on the other we had a power businessman type sipping his wine glass (with the uber pretentious "hand palming" glass hold you should really only see in movies to boot). Pizza is universal though and that's probably why you get such a mishmash in a place like this. Anyways the place wasn't too pricey and the food was good and tasty... recommended!
(5)Roni T.
Solid portions at a good price. Had the mushroom and mac and cheese pizza s....which were both good. Nice friendly wait staff, though the waiter we had seemed a little overwhelmed by the amount of business. Clean decor inside.
(4)nomo c.
Ingredients are fresh - tried the chicken broccoli special pizza and a salad. We waited for about half an hour for our table but for whatever reason, patrons kept turning to stare at us, making me feel very uncomfortable. OH Well! The staff was great and the food was great, so it turned out to be a good night.
(4)M S.
Pretty good pizza, but the slices are too small. Feels like you're eating a kids pizza. Also, the flavor was a bit plain. It lacked spice, no herbs etc.
(3)Jenny N.
Yelp comes through again! I was searching for a dinner spot in between Waltham and Somerville to meet up with a friend and thanks to all the wonderful reviews, I picked Za's. I'd never heard of it previously, but I'm glad we tried it out as the gourmet pizzas are yummy in the tummy! It's great that Za's does not make your typical Italian-style pie with loads of red sauce and melty mozzarella. While there is a time and place for those beloved greasy slices, these particular pies are crafted with inventive topping combos that may include truffle oil, roast duck, caramelized peaches, and/or maple bacon. Is your mouth watering yet? I also love that they use local farm produce. My fig and gorgonzola pie was tasty as could be and perfectly portioned for a single person. The crust was a not-too-thick and not-too-thin conveyance for the delectable, fresh toppings. I actually only ate half and took the rest home so I could save room for dessert. Admittedly, the ginger blueberry creme brulee was better in concept than in execution (more like a very dense custard and lacking the characteristic crackly crust). The dining room is cozy and inviting but beware that it fills up quickly after 7 p.m. Ample street parking is a bonus though.
(4)Me Iz S.
I'm not sure why I haven't yelped about Za before, given that I ate here frequently! Oh well. The Chalkboard specials are what drew me in! The choices - very original. You would too...Portabella Mushroom Pizza! Yum. Ambience - 5 * Service - 5*, sometimes 4.5* Cleanliness - 5* Food - 5x5* Price - affordable. Seriously, even a student could go there once every 10 days :O) Recommend - YES!
(4)Meredith P.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope all of you are sharing the love in some gourmet-rific way tonight! Matt (my husband) and I have our own tradition for this, the 14th of February. We try and avoid the craziness that surrounds this day with some takeout from a very special pizza joint near us. Pizza and our DVR...does it really get any better than that? This special pizza joint I speak of is called Za and it's located on Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington, MA. My favorite part of this restaurant's concept is that many of their ingredients are locally sourced and the menu rotates based on what's growing in the area. They even serve locally brewed beer, along with some wines. We frequent this establishment quite often but we've made it a special tradition to get takeout on Valentine's Day. The menu consists of salads and pizzas, both interesting and unique combinations. Their trademark chalkboard depicts the seasonal specials up on the wall, and we usually choose from those, rather than the regular varieties available on the everyday menu. While the pizzas are on the small side, we've found that getting one salad and one pizza works well for a two-person meal. On special occasions, like today, we usually add a dessert or two as well. Tonight, we opted for the Crisp Iceberg Lettuce salad with tomatoes, red onions, grated carrots, Applewood Smoked Bacon, and blue cheese. It's all topped off with a Creamy Buttermilk Dressing. As our main course, we chose one of the special pizzas, per usual. Pears, gorgonzola, fontina, toasted walnuts, cranberries, thyme and scallions top this yummy 'Za! They had some really interesting special desserts on the menu so we decided to try one each - and try each other's! :) I decided on the Lemon Tart with Organic Strawberries, and Matt opted for the Chocolate Goat Cheesecake. The salad is from the regular menu, and we order it all the time. I'm not sure how they do it, but they've managed to get the dressing to drip in-between each layer of iceberg lettuce, making each bite totally delicious. The pizza was piled high with nice big pieces of crisp pear, and I thought the dried cranberries were really a lovely touch. The flavors meld so well together in all of their combinations. Dessert was yummy, and mine was quite colorful! I found that the tartness of the lemon went really well with the light, fluffiness of a slight bite of whipped cream. Yummy! We washed all this down with a lovely bottle of white wine. It was a very enjoyable dinner, and everything is packaged nicely for take-out. I find the restaurant itself endearing as well. The owner has an adorable collection of different pigs on all the shelves in the restaurant: piggy banks, pig statues, pig collectibles, you name it. The walls are adorned with local artwork that's also for sale and rotates on a regular basis. It will always be a different scene when you walk in! The staff is super-friendly and welcoming, and the surroundings are cozy in the winter, airy in the summer. I love when they open all the windows! If you haven't visited Za, I highly recommend it. They can be found at 138 Massachusetts Avenue. They don't take reservations, but I do think they'll take a call-ahead on busy evenings.
(4)Liz D.
I've only been here twice but it is so good. Some nights there is a wait but it's worth it. My favorite pizzas are the mac and cheese, and the regular tomato and mozzarella with bread and butter jalapeños (so addictive!). They also have a small but rotating and unique beer selection. Service is efficient and friendly. Give it a try!
(4)Josh And Dawn A.
In Boston area for a business trip, staying just down the street from Za. After checking my trusty Yelp app and asking the front desk dude, a few of us headed off for Za. Area seems a little run down, but Za is nicely presented, and small and cozy. Of course had the pizza: I ordered normal tomato and mozzarella with pepperoni and homemade sausage, which the waiter described as a "mild sausage". (he was right). Crispy crust, tasty ingredients, made for a good pizza. I wouldn't put this in my top 5 pizzas or anything, but I definitely liked it. Pepperoni could have been a little better, it seems like not much more than Dominos pepperoni. The homemade sausage was more than good, but not as good as I was hoping. Had a slice of the chicken, broccoli, garlic, caramelized onions, specialty pizza, which one of my companions ordered. It was also quite good. I love garlic, so the more the better. This wasn't as good as I was hoping either. Being from Chicago and loving my hometown pizza, I know I'm being a little picky. If I could give 3.5 stars I would, but the excellent service and the ambiance pushes it up to a 4.
(4)Robert M.
Went for the first time. We ordered the Mac and cheese pizza and a pepperoni and sausage pizza. Both were really good. Our server was really nice as was the hostess. We'll be back for sure.
(4)Stephanie S.
The pizzas get 5 stars. The salads and desserts (from my sampling) get deducted a star. We arrived on a busy night and had a 20 minute wait, got started with some beers while we waited. The salads are a little funky. They're formed into these little towers. Eh. Not my style really but sure, they're trying to be different. We got the butternut squash one. Lots of stringy squash and wished there was more goat cheese. I live for goat cheese and that's kind of why I ordered it. Pizzas were good. Would definitely order the chorizo with the mustard creme again. The waiter said it tasted like a cuban and certainly did. Also got the Mac & Cheese and while it was novel it was a touch greasy and heavy and really was to be expected. Got dessert but didn't need to... when the pecan pie came out cold it confirmed that it wasn't worth it. We should have requested it be nuked. Oh well. Maybe the other desserts were better. Salad, 2 pizzas and a dessert was quite a meal. We took home more than a whole pizza as leftovers. So a single pizza and a healthy dose of beer is meal enough for 2 hungry people.
(4)K N.
never disappointed after having Za! Za brings pizza to a whole different level then what anyone is used to. mac and cheese pizza is delic and their seasonal fig pizza is a special treat! I love all their salads as well. they have a great beer and wine menu that they are constantly updating. and kudos to them for supporting the local farmers!
(5)Irene R.
Waiter was very attentive, constantly filling my water glass (which was good because I was thirsty). Hubby and I split a 10" pizza and found it to be plenty. They have some great pizza combos and some great looking salads. Food came promptly and was delicious. I do wish there were some more salad options, every salad had something that was taboo during pregnancy. With tax and tip we spent $16. I wish they had parking.
(4)Geo O.
This is a good example of a restaurant that has steadily improved and now is one of our regular spots. They have always had a great space and atmosphere, though occasionally a little loud. They are now very very close to a 5-star with me, a couple more visits will tell. Service: This has always been a tough spot, but they are much improved. I don't expect perfection from anyone, but I do expect everyone to make good on their mistakes. They will still occasionally mess up orders (particularly on busy nights), but they will also make good. They lost my call in order one time recently and the manager gave me half off my meal and a gift card for waiting. Food: Let's be clear -- If you came here looking for Domino's or Papa Gino's, you came to the wrong place. The pizzas at Za's are all individual-sized, with a thin-ish crust, good amount of sauce and cheese and ample toppings. They are usually cooked more towards the well-done side (some slight blackening on topping and edges), but never dry. The toppings are what really make Za's stand out -- all locally sourced, with interesting combinations and flavors. The zuchini and red pepper pizza they have during the summers is excellent. My standby favorite is a simple green pepper, onion and chorizo. Salads are not the "big bowl of lettuce" salads that are the standard fare around Arlington, they are generally small portions of interesting combinations of produce. Perhaps not for everyone, but I am a big fan. Desserts are also excellent, particularly the bourbon pecan pie with fresh whipped cream and a sprig of mint. Prices: The prices are a little high, but the food is substantially better than most of the other pizza places in town, in my mind it's worth the stretch. Overall, Za's is one of my favorite places in Arlington. I highly suggest it!
(4)Sam M.
Order: Portabello Mushroom Pizza, Grilled Chicken Pizza, Chocolate Goat Cheesecake. The Protabello was amazing. Loaded with toppings in the perfect proportions. The caramelized onions were heavenly. I would have preferred raw garlic but it was great with cooked. The Chicken pizza was good, not amazing. It would have been a lot better if the chicken were not so dry. The Chocolate Goat Cake. The cake was great. I'm glad I had take out, because the cake was so rich and I was able to add vanilla ice cream, it was very potent.
(4)John P.
They have some nice topping options like a special with pickles on it. It's actually really good on a pizza. But... The crust is the biggest downfall. It's the same strange tasting crust you get at your local greek pizza place. If you're going to put fancy toppings and charge a ton the crust better be good. The salads are good too, but again a bit over priced.
(2)Kelly A.
I went back to Za tonight, after a year+ hiatus. I don't know why I hadn't been in so long, but it was damn good! Now that locally-grown produce is coming into season, the innovative Za chefs are incorporating that produce into their dishes. There was no shortage of unusual or intriguing dishes on the special menu today, that's for sure! We started out with the avocado salad, which I've had on prior occasions. I couldn't bring myself to branch out on the salad because I had such fond memories of the avocado one. It didn't disappoint. Loaded with black beans and jalapeno peppers and tomatoes, it was delicious and refreshing. We ordered one of the pizza specials, a pie featuring local strawberries, goat cheese, basil, and walnuts. I had heard about a similar Za pizza featuring cherries, and I would have preferred that, but my boy talked me into the strawberry one anyways. It was good, and a little more savory than I expected it to be. They are good at making pizza, so I think that whatever they put on it, it will probably taste good. We were lured into getting a pistachio creme brule for dessert, and it was different but good, though a little heavy for such a lovely night as this. They carry a nice freshly brewed iced tea, which made me very happy, and they served it with the obligatory (and appreciated) lemon wedge. They also have a nice beer selection, which today included the Newport Storm blueberry beer and the Berkshire Brewing Company coffee porter. Service was great, atmosphere was relaxing. A fine trip indeed.
(5)John S.
East Arlington has changed a ton in the last years, all for the better. We found Za on Yelp and gave it a try before a movie at the Capital Theater. Yes, Pizza and Salad but so many interesting choices for both. We tried the special salad of roasted butternut squash, apples, goat cheese and walnuts. OK, we wondered how do you serve a squash salad. It came out as a terrine about 4" tall. It was fantastic and plenty for us. (Shared by 2) We then split a 10" pizza of chorizo and peppers which was excellent and plenty of food for 2 following the salad. All fresh ingredients. Excellent service and definitely a return visit is in the plans.
(4)Len G.
Very original and refreshing food. If you're looking for something different this is a great place to go. I've been going there for lunch and most things I've tried, even the ones that don't sound good, such as strawberries on a pizza, I find that I do enjoy them. I have to say that I think the ingredients they use are very fresh and that make a big difference in the taste. The portion size is not that large so if you order just a salad you maybe left hungry. Ideally go with someone for lunch order a pizza and a salad and split it.
(4)Kristin M.
I love this place, not only for the pizza and salad, but for the staff. They are so friendly. If the owner is in, he visits everyone's tables in an unobtrusive way... The pizza is amazing...crispy crust and fresh toppings. The salads are unbelievable too. I don't know how many times I think I've declared a new favorite one. Prices are fair and the presentation of the salads is beautiful. I also love that they buy local. For those who don't like the more "creative" pizzas, you can always design your own with traditional toppings. They've even been great when we brought toddlers and asked for a plain pizza, with no cheese on one half. No problem!
(5)Lisa M.
Awesome desserts, great salads, so-so pizza... My husband (a Chicago pizza snob), my mom, and I thought the pizza here was just okay. The crust pretty thick; it seemed too thick to truly compliment the gourmet toppings. I basically think gourmet-type toppings are best served on neapolitan style pizza. Specifically we ordered: - the special pizza with goat cheese, mushroom, garlic, etc. The garlic (whole cloves, roasted) was WAY too much. We had to pick it off. - a "chalkboard" special involving apples, cheddar, pumpkin seeds, etc. Too sweet; tasted too desserty. Could not taste the cheddar. - made our own with ham, pineapple, and pickled peppers. Ham would have been better thinner sliced. And again, on all of these, the crust was too thick. It couldn't be described as "thin" or as "thick" crust, it was sort of in-between ... this made it neither a worthy focus nor a useful compliment, IMO. We did really like the desserts. We had the dark chocolate goat cheese cheesecake and the buttermilk panna cotta. They do need to rename the panna cotta; it was more like "lemon panna cotta." Or maybe they could just make it without the lemon, that would be even better. Salads were very good (we had the beet salad and the tex-mexy one). Fresh and sort of different. I wouldn't call them rave-worthy but still, pretty good. Service was impeccable.
(3)Jonathan M.
Love this place. Their different styles pizzas are fun and delicious.
(4)Chris M.
Never ever been disappointed. Always very friendly waiters (last night we told them we were running a little late to catch a movie down the street, and he offered to expedite our orders - fantastic!) Most of their pizzas are vegetarian and they support a lot of local farms and good sources overall. And they don't even brag about being super-organic-local-green. My pizza last night - pear, caramelized onions, walnuts, cranberries. Their pizzas are a good size for one big meal, but you'll probably find yourself taking home 3-4 slices if you get a salad before. They're decorated with pig figurines/ornaments. Everywhere. It's adorable.
(5)Sean B.
I actually work right next to the Kendall Square location, but I've been to the Arlington restaurant too. I like their pizza. They have some unique pizzas, like the Mac and Cheese pizza. They're individual sized, and around $10-11, which is fine. I'm just not sure I'd spend it on a regular basis, but again, I like the pizza. The Kendall location gives off a strange vibe to me, as it shares the building with "EVOO" which seems like a "high-end" restaurant. It might not actually be "high-end" but you usually see normal working folks eating pizza, and prim and proper suits eating over in EVOO. I'm probably over-thinking it, but just seems odd. The Arlington locale, however is small and homey, and feels appropriate for a pizza shop. I do like the pizza.
(3)Bob B.
This place is great. I suggest you give it a try! It's pretty small and can get busy.. So make sure you beat the rush.
(4)here t.
The visit was in a quiet early dinner slot, with only a few wary odd fellow patrons, puzzling at the heat of the summer. Wondering together if the heat would ever stop, sipping water to remedy, we all received adequate service from a babe waitress who was appropriately sweet. Others who were babe-like as well, though with more introspection, seemed motivated to do their thing- and the boss-like man was around. He seemed a bit taken with himself. The service therefore was aligned properly with the planets. Pizza order and salad side poised for launch we waited and watched the two odd young two ladies (from a nearby trailer park?) smoke their butts and wait for the bus. Good for the environment (the bus), bad for their pulmonary function and alveoli (the butts). They'll out grow it, most likely. Then drive cars; you can't win eh? Oh yea---Ah the arrival of the alimentary delights and the brewed grain products...a worthy selection of both The full experience was good and satisfying. Though Im a prefer-er of thin crust, this version of moderate crust was good. Nicely edible and balance of flavors placed in their places. Atmosphere is somehow nicer than Stone Hearth in Belmont. But support them both whenever possible, not the evil Bertucci Empire of darkness.......(though its ok too --!?wtf?) Hold down those prices Mr. Za, get the return and marginal diners in there, ok?
(4)Cee C.
Sweet potato, bacon, hot peppers pizza is fabulous. The crust was nice and crunchy. It came in the perfect size, enough to take a slice home too. Food good..... Our waitress and the hostess-- well they were super annoying by asking us many times if we were ready to order while we were relaxing have a drink first. I could understand if it was busy, but the place was only at half capacity. Service bad....
(4)Alison F.
Salads and pizza and dessert. Everything I need to be happy. LOVE the toppings (figs & ham & gorgonzola -- hmmmmmmmm). But I HATE the crust. It's like the crust at Pinnochio's in Harvard Square, if you've been there. Grainy and dry, weird. For some reason I can't figure out, it always seems loud (with conversation, not music). I like the feel of the place, and if they'd get a new crust recipe, I'd move in. Maybe that's why they won't change it.
(4)Annie D.
Just ate dinner here. Wait staff was super friendly. The menu on their website only represents about half of the offerings; there is a second "chalkboard" menu with more options. I had a Caesar-like salad which was good, my boyfriend had a spinach salad with a type of mustard vinegarette dressing. I really liked that they offered local sodas rather than Coke or Pepsi options.
(4)Sarah G.
The bad: Crust is chewy and greasy, especially on any pizza with extra fat (e.g. meat or mac & cheese). Plain pizza is not great. Waits can be insane. The good: Pizza improves 100% if you take it home and bake it in a hot oven for a little while - crust fries a bit and is crisper. Staff are super sweet and accommodating. We were trying to make it to a movie and they put in our order early so our food was ready for us by the time we got a table. They handed out free samples to the crowd waiting for tables. Mac and Cheese pizza! Homemade sausage. Local sourcing.
(3)Rick U.
You know it's a quality restaurant when it takes a comfort food and elevates it to a higher form of cuisine. I'm your standard pizza guy. Growing up, I liked it plain. During college, I learned the "major toppings" of pepperoni and sausage, and the acceptable vegetables (mushrooms, peppers). It was only after living in California did I explore fruit (ham and pineapple anyone?) and the other variants of pizza (e.g. deep dish, sicilian, etc.). These days, I'm more concerned with delivery times (hello Snow Crash) and execution (they got my toppings right). So it's a delight to eat at a place like Za's, which takes pizza to wonderful culinary heights. Pizza from Za is less about fuel, and more about taste, and creativity. I've enjoyed their "basic" macaroni offering, but was wowed by their duck and peaches pizza. My brother says he needed to visit a place that serves duck and peaches on their pizza, and he lives in Milwaukee. Of late, I've been enjoying their Aruguloni, which has me piling salad on top of a pizza with pepperoni and mashed potatoes. The place where I grew up would not recognize me anymore. Za is pizza of a higher order, and I'm glad it's in Arlington. It's a wonderful break from "fuel" pizza (and price-wise, you won't forget that it's not your average pizza), and I recommend it highly.
(5)Dana L.
Okay so let me preface this by letting all of you know how indifferent I am about pizza. I never order it, and only eat it when my friends or family really want it. That said, I must say how completely NOT indifferent I am about Za. What a great place. I had a specialty pizza with sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, bacon and cheese and it was so amazingly delicious. My friend's pizza was something with mushrooms and it was equally as tasty. The pizza here is not traditional and that's probably why I liked it so much. Additionally, the atmoshphere is great. Such a cute place, very warm. The wait staff was beyond pleasant, joking around with customers and making us all laugh quite a bit. I loved it here!
(5)Peter G.
This place is great! I used to get all bent out of shape that it's not pizza; but who cares, whether its pizza or not it's really good. Be sure to get the avocado salad and be smart and get one for yourself, you're not going to want to share. One pizza is definitely enough for two people, especially if you start with one of the salads, but we usually get two, to try different things and also we usually order from the specials menu.
(5)Jason C.
Great pizza with awesome , seasonal toppings (each season has a different specialty pizza). Must say, the standard cheese and homemade susage is my favorite. Za also has a decent beer and wine selection. Also a great place for families with small children. Wait staff have always been attanetive and very nice. At times service can be slow due to the place getting packed (a good sign). Za is definitely worth your while.
(5)Richard C.
So disappointing. Looks great on paper, unique offerings, nice space, great service, but very below average pizza. Un-seasoned dough, a lack of sauce on all four we tried, and too pricey for the amount you get. If you're going to focus on one thing and one thing only, at least make it worthwhile.
(2)D M.
I came out here on an adventure with Cara and Jesse on a little Arlington adventure, and we got a little crazy with the specials menu. The decor of the place was very cozy, and the service was very attentive. It does take a while for the pizzas to come out, and the salads were appetizer sized particularly for that reason. We all ordered salads-I went with a potato salad, which I was surprised to find that the base component was actually mashed potatoes, with cucumbers, feta, great fresh herbs and tomatoes. It was definitely out of the ordinary and a fun take on a Greek salad! Cara got taco-style salad, which was heavy on the cheese. Jesse got a chop salad which looked delicious. For pizzas, we were a little less wowed. Jesse got the sausage pizza, and Cara and I split the smoked salmon pizza. Yeah, we got lox on a pizza. I would suggest it, though it was terrible. It was a good helping of caramelized onions on the base, with creme fresh, capers, dill, and the smoked salmon. It worked because it was a thin crust, but it wasn't really magical. We all enjoyed are experience here, but it's not for those who are trying to eat really that healthy-hello, mashed potato salad? It was all tasty but certainly not for the faint of heart. I'm not sure if I'd come in again, but it was definitely an interesting take on a pizza joint.
(3)Eric B.
We've eaten here numerous times and rave about it each time. Duck on a pizza? Sweet potato on a pizza? Get it here! Absolutely delicious, laid back dining. The Hass Avocado salad is awesome. Also, they carry a couple of local craft brews which is a nice plus!
(5)Kristine M.
As a pizza purist (give me just plain cheese and sauce any day!) and a macaroni and cheese enthusiast, I wasn't sure what to order. The mac and cheese pizza sounded awfully tempting, if not a little strange and carby. But I had to order it. It was actually quite good. The mac and cheese tasted very homemade and fresh, with a nice blend of cheeses. I tried a few of my friends slices and everything was really tasty...even the salami and pickles pizza that my husband got! We also got some desserts. The pecan pie had some nice fresh whipped cream on it. Very tasty. The main downside, in my opinion, was the crust. I was expecting something a little thinner and less greasy. Also, the salads were really over-priced.
(3)Jonathan C.
They are very creative and have some original salads and pizzas. -Avocado chopped salad- Delicious - Beet and goat cheese salad - Delicious - Beer selection- pretty decent - Pizzas - They have some very creative specials, I had a pickle, mustard, hamburger pizza that was yummy. Nice decor, medium sized seating area, waitstaff get the job done and leave you unimpressed. A little pricey given the size of the portions. (12 inch pizzas I think)
(4)Andrew R.
The first thing you'll notice about Za is that it aims to be a step above the average corner store pizza shop. The interior is suited for having a more formal sit-down meal, but it's not to the point where you'd feel weird dining there alone. I went there on a Sunday afternoon, so the service was very good, since there were very few other people in there. The waitress explained any questions very well, and was attentive to small needs. Za also serves beer which is a nice perk as well. The pizzas themselves are fairly fancy, but not quite to the point where they're overdone. They feature common toppings, but tending to combine them with other interesting ingredients to make it a more unique meal. I had the Mac and Cheese pizza, which was pretty good, but I wish I had tried something more traditional for my first visit. I will definitely go back to try other options, as I left with a good impression of the place overall.
(4)Abby R.
I'd just like to say that I moved back to Toronto - and every time we go out for fancy pizza we say "it's just not as good as Za." That's right. Za is officially the best 'za around. I miss it. It's delicious, and they make perfect pizzas.
(5)Terry W.
WAHOO! This place was amazing.. The creme brulee we had for dessert was a little to overpowered by the rosemary infusion...but the PIZZA-BEER& WINE Selection was worth the trip....My daughter had the Mac-n-Cheese Pizza and it was really good...homeade sausage topping was a winner on the grown up pizza we ordered along with the pickled Jalepenos....mmmmmm did I mention the beer was really really good...to put it into Mortal Combat terms..if Za was fighting Emmas in Cambridge..ZA would have scored a fatality..ZA RULES!
(4)Brian K.
Eating pizza at Za is a lot like driving a fancy Italian sports car. Sure, it roars and it has gull-wing doors but ultimately a Corvette will smoke it off the line for a lot less money. Za is one of my neighborhood pizza places. In my house there's usually a short lived conversation about ordering from somewhere else before settling on Za. Why am I perfectly OK with this? The Iceberg wedge salad; it's glorious. If you like fatty dressing and bacon bits, then this is the Platonic perfection of what a salad should be. As for the Pizza it is average. I find the slices and pie itself to be a little on the small side. The kitchen does make up for these smaller sized pizzas with its 'Chalkboard Specials.' These are the gourmet pies loaded with some inspired ingredients, like chorizo, dill pickles, garlic aioli, etc. Unfortunately, these chalkboard specials don't change that much. Or maybe we just keep going back to Za on the same day and miss the rotation. Still, if you're in the neighborhood, go to Za. You won't be disappointed by the pizza but might be a little let down by the reputation that precedes it.
(3)Alysia D.
A friend had been raving about this place for... well, forever, so we went on Saturday for an early dinner of what I expected to be fantastic, out of this world amazing pizza with zany toppings. Guess I should have tempered my expectations before I got there. I left disappointed. Two people in my party ordered the beet salad. One beet salad was half goat cheese, one was almost no goat cheese. So much for consistency. Ordered two special pizzas... one was potato, bacon, onion, ect ect... huge chunks of completely unseasoned potatoes. Bacon gave it a little saltiness, but that was about it. Second pizza was shittake mushrooms, potato cream, white onion, and gruyere cheese with truffle oil. It had a really nice earthy flavor to it, but again, flavorless potatoes made into a cream sauce that had the oddest texture. Mushrooms were not seasoned either. Completely bland. Both pizzas were desperately begging for flavor. There was absolutely nothing special or particularly yummy about these pizzas. Nothing. What a waste of dinner. The friend who had recommended the place was actually embarrassed by how bad the specials were. She assured us that of the many, many times she's been there, these boring, tasteless pizzas were the exception, not the rule. She made us promise to give it another shot.... and I will. And when I do, I'll update this review. But until further notice, I'm underwhelmed by you, Za.
(2)Anna L.
I've been to Za three or four times now and they always manage to serve up some of the most delicious pizza I've ever had in my life. This probably isn't the place to go if you're looking for pepperoni and cheese; however, it's the perfect place if you're looking for something a little more adventurous and eclectic. My favorite pizza at Za boasts a cool collection of toppings, including the following: salmon, dill, caper, and crème fraîche. If you're feel extra hungry, I would definitely recommend the dessert. Chocolate goat cheesecake? Or is it chocolate goat cheese cheesecake? Whatever it's called, it's downright delicious! Unfortunatly, the only things keeping this place from earning a five star rating are the okay service and horrible paintings on the wall.
(4)Gene G.
Za is pizzeria deluxe, it serves salads, pizza and desserts. The pizza style is thin crust, with plate size pies covered by limited amounts of cheese and EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) but with wonderfully inventive toppings - both sweet (grapes, pears) and savory (mushrooms, garlic, duck). The only pizzas that we did not like were fish based (salmon, anchovies). The entrees and salads will run you between $8 and $12. It has a decent selection of beers, and pretty good deserts - crème brûlée is a favorite of my children. This is a popular place so if you want to sit in, be prepared to wait 10-15 minutes.
(4)N B.
I love this place. Excellent, interesting pizzas at reasonable prices, and their salads are to die for. (The wedge is good, but I nearly always end up with the avocado and black bean salad...) You can play it safe with a basic pie, or get crazy with a pizza with duck, or dried cherries, or butternut squash, or macaroni and cheese on it. It tends to get crowded on weekend nights, but we live around the corner, so typically call ahead and do take out. I hear they opened up another one in Kendall, so business must be good!
(5)Ted D.
Za is just a gem. The pizza and salads are always imaginative, well prepared, and tasty, and the service is always friendly and helpful.
(5)Erica S.
Pizza, salad, and beer, in my humble opinion, is a winning combination. So why the 3 stars? Well, there's nothing wrong with Za per se, but it's just really not too special either. And for a place that only makes two things (pizza and salad), I guess I just expected both to be phenomenal. The pizzas only come in one size-- 10"-- which I think is a bummer. It's about enough for one normal to bigger eater (I finished my whole pizza) or I suppose could be shared by a pair of dieting waifs. But hell man, why isn't there a bigger size? I know I'll sound like a big fat cow saying it, but honestly I could have eaten a bit more. And I really don't see why offering a second, larger size would be a big deal for the restaurant... It would certainly have been nice to be able to order a larger pie to share with my lady friends, or at least have some leftovers for a nice cold pizza breakfast. Also, though the pizza toppings are exciting and many of the combinations are unique (mac n cheese pizza?!?! yummmmm!!!), the pizza itself is nothing special. It's a pretty boring crust, kind of thin and crunchy, and reminiscent of what I make at home when I roll out a dough ball from Trader Joe's and make myself a pizza at home. Fine, but not memorable. We split an arugula salad, which was very good (it had fresh pesto in it, which was delicious), but a bit overpriced at $7.50 for its small size. The waitress told us their desserts are really good, but we decided to save our money and calories and skip it... however I must say, I am very intrigued by the Chocolate GOAT Cheesecake.. !!!! I will say that despite thinking the food was just so-so, I had a nice experience here due to the phenomenal service (our waitress was wonderful, and the other servers are great about seating quickly, greeting, etc.), a delicious Ipswich Pale Ale, and knowing that all of the ingredients in my food were local and noticeably fresh. I probably wouldn't go back here on my own, but I'd certainly be willing to go along with others if it came up. Unfortunately there are just too many other great pizza places in the area for me to bother heading out to Arlington for more Za. :-/
(3)Erica D.
I just re-visited Za. I used to be a semi-regular there, and the leftovers would rarely make it to the next morning. Well I don't know if the pizzas have become more filling or if I've become less gluttonous, but I can't devour the pizza like that any more. It's still good stuff, though. They have a nice selection of specialty pizzas -- there is always at least one 'blackboard special' pizza with some kind of fruit, and inevitably, I will order that one (cherry being a standout, pear always reliable if less interesting). It's a greek-style crust, which can always be saved by gourmet toppings. To get a plain cheese pizza here, just sort of a waste, really. They also have salads and desserts that sound wonderful, but I've never tried because I couldn't pry myself away from the pizza. I think this place is still sort of a hidden gem (just had the place to ourselves Saturday night), worth visiting. Patience and a sweater are recommended.
(4)Stephanie G.
Za is great! I was craving somewhere with veggies, so we went here and split the goat cheese garlic pizza - mmm so savory! I've had some of the other pizzas there, and this one always wins out. We also split a pretty simple salad, but it had potatoes at the bottom so it was actually legit filling. The service was super fast - in fact, it was almost too fast. We were in and out in half an hour. And we had three courses! That may have been partially our fault, since we ate fast... Anyway! Great dependably good food, and good prices too.
(4)