Porky's Pizza Palace Celebrates 50 Years of Success

For the past 50 years, the secret to Porky’s Pizza success has been pretty simple: Loyal customers, the support of the community and working hard with your family.

“The secret is you have to work hard every day with your family, love the work, and care about your customers” says co-owner Gary Valenziano. “We have a good family business and we love our customers and they love us back, it’s a great relationship.”

Porky’s Pizza Palace has always been a family owned business. Frank and Juanita Marrone and his uncle, Mario Carlini opened it on September 12, 1963. After 20 years of hard work and success, the Marrone family sold it to the Valenziano family. 

After owning 2 restaurants in the Chicago area, Sal and Shirley Valenziano moved to California with their sons Gary and Gregg that year. 

“Dad always wanted to live in California and get away from the weather,” states Gregg. “We were all committed to come out here and work hard together as a family. We were hoping the community would still support us because we knew everyone loved the Marrone family.” 

And that is exactly what happened…

Making great memories is what Porky’s is still about today.

“This place has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember! As a child, I spent THOUSANDS of hours here! Looking forward to bringing my children, and their children in the future!” Rick Roc from SF reminisced. 

San Leandro resident, Vicki Kohler shared, “We have been going to Porky’s routinely since 1968. Porky’s sponsored my husband’s softball team, and brought home SEVERAL trophies to place on the wall. Porky’s was a place we ALWAYS went to after EVERY game. Best Pizza around EVER!”

Gary and Gregg agree over the 30 years of owning Porky’s, it is such a great feeling when past employees and customers stop in and say Hi. 

“We get to serve them the pizza & food they remember, have grown up on, and maybe can't find where they are now living. It is so satisfying to see people we’ve known over the last 30 years travel back especially during the holidays, and feel compelled to do a Porky’s Pilgrimage as we call it. Coming to Porky’s Pizza Palace evokes such good memories.”

For the restaurant’s 50-year anniversary, there will be celebration on Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. with an official ribbon cutting with the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, the City Officials, and local businesses.

That evening will also be “Employee Appreciation Night” for all past and present employees. Then on Nov. 13, the Porky’s family will be showing their appreciation to the community by selling large cheese pizzas for $1.00 from 5 p.m. until supplies last, just like Porky’s did back in the good old days.

Donna Otten of San Leandro shares her best memory of $1.00 cheese pizza on Wednesdays. “I remember getting off school and meeting a couple of friends and we would all put in a quarter and have pizza then get in trouble for spoiling our appetite before dinner.”

Porky’s invites everyone to attend both days to help celebrate “Our family serving your family in San Leandro/San Lorenzo for 50 years.”