During frequent drives to the Sikh temple in El Sobrante over the last 18 years, Navneet Sandhu said he marveled at the local community’s diversity.
“Every time you drive through you see all types of people,” Sandhu said.
He not only admired the diversity – he wanted to add to it.
Sandhu owns the new Chicago’s Pizza With A Twist, located a 3716 San Pablo Dam Rd in El Sobrante. The business opened last year, but earlier this month the El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce and San Pablo Economic Development Corporation partnered to host a grand-opening event.
Owners of the new eatery immigrated from India two decades ago. Their restaurant offers typical pizzas as well as ones with an Indian-style twist, such as chicken tikka masala, tandoori, butter chicken, Bombay BBQ, and more.
The Chicago part in the business name comes from its deep dish pizza offerings. Meanwhile, the Indian flavors bring a unique twist not just to the pizzas but also to the eatery’s pastas and chicken wing offerings.
“[We offer] not just your typical buffalo style or your garlic Parmesan flavors, we have tequila lime, tandoori, and tikka masala flavored wings,” Sandhu said. Diners can also select Indian-flavored pastas as butter or curry chicken.
But owners say they’re most prideful about their focus on fresh ingredients. The pizza dough is made daily, and the vegetables are fresh and cut in-house. The main goal for the business is to maintain the quality of ingredients and cleanliness of their business, Sandhu said.
“I got really lucky with this location on the main road in the heart of El Sobrante,” he said, adding his business also reaches throughout West County, including Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole and Hercules.
The business opens seven days per week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers dine-in, pick-up or delivery options, including through third parties such as DoorDash, Grub Hub and Uber Eats.
Rafael Lima produced the video and photography in this report.
