Che Fico Pizzeria

After much anticipation, Chef David Nayfeld and Matt Brewer of Back Home Hospitality open the doors to their newest concept, Che Fico Pizzeria, located at Thrive City, the community gathering space surrounding Chase Center. This project marries two of Nayfeld’s lifelong passions: pizza and the Golden State Warriors.

While the pizzeria concept is new, the pies are not. Back in 2018, when Che Fico opened on Divisadero, “Che Fico-style” pizza was born. Within a week, guests lined up on the street prior to opening to be the first ones in to sample the pies. Accolades from the press came pouring in, all mentioning this unique and, sometimes controversial, new pizza made with generously grated fresh parmesan on a blackened crust. Ideas for a pizzeria started percolating, but Nayfeld was not ready. For the next five years, he worked tirelessly on the dough recipe until it was just right. Not even a year later, they were approached about the space at Thrive City. There wasn’t a more fitting home for their first pizzeria.

The menu at Che Fico Pizzeria features a selection of 14-inch and 20-inch pizzas, made with a naturally fermented dough and hand-pulled cheese, with the latter also available by slice. There are Che Fico classics such as the Pineapple and Chili with pineapple, Calabrian chili bomba, red onion and mozzarella alongside newer ones like the Sausage & Mushroom with San Marzano tomato, pork sausage, and cremini, Rapini with Fontina and ricotta and Vodka Sauce with cream, basil and burrata.

While the pizzas anchor the menu, there are plenty of other options to satiate any palate. Begin the meal with a selection of Italian snacks in the Starters section. Guests can find Che Fico’s signature Suppli al Telefono which is the perfectly fried combination of carnaroli rice, fontina and tomato with newer items including Stuffed Olives, Cerignola olives stuffed with sweet Italian sausage, Potato Chips dusted with rosemary, roasted garlic and Pecorino cheese and Chicken Wings made with Che Fico’s Chili Bomba, pickled chili and avocado blossom honey. A variety of salads with the option to add protein are also available.

Guests no longer have to head to Il Mercato di Che Fico on the peninsula to experience Nayfeld’s versions of classic Italian sandwiches. Che Fico Pizzeria features a selection of sandwiches all served on Acme Bread Company sesame rolls including the Muffuletta, Genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, olive and giardiniera; Chicken Cutty, crispy chicken cutlet with provolone, marinated artichokes, pepperoncini, pesto, pickled red onion, and chili flake, and more.

It will be hard to pass up dessert with a biscotti stuffed with nutella as well as a selection of seasonally changing gelato soft serve with topping options such as maldon salt and extra virgin olive oil, salted caramel, rainbow sprinkles, and crispy chocolate balls.

The cocktail program is an homage to the Bay with many of the cocktails being riffs on Bay Area classics. Cocktails include the Che Fico Negroni, made with their house amaro, Mattaei Quina Rouge, Terroir gin St. George with an orange twist; Feelin’ Mai Self, a play on a Mai Tai swapping in an Italian Mandarin cordial in lieu of triple sec, and Golden Boy, a nod to Stephen Curry made with Bourbon, Honey syrup, Lemon and Citranage. Local beers, both on draft and in cans, are also featured.

While cocktails and beer lean into California, the wine list looks to Italy. Created by Wine Director Jason Alexander, the tightly curated list focuses on small production, sustainably farmed and family owned wineries in Italy, available by the glass, carafe and bottle. For those in the know, a “secret” list of fine and rare wines from Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello and Etna Rosso is also available.

Long time collaborator and designer Jon de la Cruz of DLC-ID brings his unique vision to the bayside Pizzeria with a relaxed, Amalfi-inspired design. Drawing on maritime influences, de la Cruz preserves key elements from the original Che Fico like their signature fig leaf wallpaper and patchwork tiles. Large screen televisions appear throughout the space making it not only a destination for those going to Chase Center but also an ideal gathering place to watch sporting events over food and drink. The expansive outdoor space introduces wood benches and an outdoor bar boasting some of the most stunning Bay views atop Chase Center. A walk-up window serving slices and gelato to-go creates another option for guests to get a taste of the pizzeria while on-the-go. Delivery is also available.