Beloved Bay Area pizzeria owners stunning reason for closing up shop

A popular pizza shop owner in the Bay Area has surprised his fans by announcing the closure of his restaurant after more than a decade in business to focus exclusively on the frozen pizza market.

Jon Darsky, the owner of San Francisco’s Del Popolo pizza, expressed his gratitude to the city and all the patrons who have supported his restaurant over the years. He explained that after careful consideration, he has made the decision to close the restaurant following the service on Friday night.

In a message posted on Instagram, Darsky shared the details of his decision, stating that he aims to change the perception of frozen pizzas rather than closing due to the high cost of living and operating in California.

Darsky initially started his business in 2012, creating Neapolitan-inspired pizzas from a food truck made out of a glass-enclosed shipping container on a Freightliner truck before expanding to a brick-and-mortar location a few years later.

While bidding farewell to his restaurant, Darsky mentioned that the last day to enjoy Del Popolo pizza in-store would be Friday, May 8th. However, he assured customers that they can find their favorite pizzas in the freezer section of local grocery stores.

Looking ahead, Darsky expressed his excitement about focusing on frozen sourdough pizza and changing the way people perceive frozen pizza. He emphasized his commitment to authenticity, process, and quality in this new chapter of the business.

Despite the closure of the restaurant, Del Popolo’s unique sourdough pizzas have garnered recognition, being listed among the top 100 restaurants by the San Francisco Chronicle for four consecutive years and earning a spot in the Top 50 Pizza Restaurants in 2022.

In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, Darsky began selling frozen pizzas in 2020, which are now available in over 100 grocery stores across California, Nevada, and Arizona. To expand nationwide, Darsky plans to secure funding and potentially relocate the business.

Darsky expressed mixed emotions about saying goodbye to his loyal customers, acknowledging the meaningful impact of the restaurant on his life. He extended his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of Del Popolo, from guests and staff to suppliers and industry colleagues.

Lastly, Darsky thanked all those who supported the business and helped create lasting memories in the restaurant space. The article concludes by stating that further comments from the pizzeria were not available at the time.