University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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Intense Competition Erupts in Telegraph Pizza Wars Location: corners of Durant and Telegraph. Phenomenon: strategic conflict. Ammunition: pizza. This situation has become commonly known as ... the Pizza Wars. Yes, folks, right in the middle of the peace capital of the world, at the corners of Durant and Telegraph, in our own southside, Cal students are becoming willing participants in perhaps one of the most reknowned conflicts in modern history. No, not a war over property, or oil rights, or even political issues ... this is a battle for our pizza bucks. Perhaps, however, we should not underestimate the value of that commodity. Down through the ages col- lege students have come to Berkeley only to become helpless victims of a pizza ad- diction. Sadly, thousands of students find themselves craving huge slices of calorie-ridden cheese, pep- peroni, and combination piz- za at all hours, day or night. Just the aroma of melting mozzarella is enough to lure students from their daily trecks up Telegraph and into the pizza stands where they eagerly plop down a dollar for a slice of cheese delight. And why not? It has been said that college would not be com- plete without pizza. Yet, as in all free-enterprise markets of America, where there is a demand, there must be a supply. Thus, the southside of campus has become densely populated with by-the-slice pizza parlors. For years Blondie ' s has dominated the pizza market, which is perhaps due to it ' s central location one-half block from campus. Other com- petitors — Empire State, Golden Boy, and LaVal ' s have made efforts to corner a slice of the market by handing out coupons and flyers during high-volume pedestrian traf- fic hours; but still they never quite managed to draw the crowds that Blondie ' s attracted. At the beginning of the fall semester, however, competi- tion reached fever pitch when Fat Slice, another by-the- slice pizza vendor, opened its ovens just one block down from Blondie ' s. Suddenly, the other leaflet distributors were joined by Fat Slice employees who handed out coupons offering a slice of cheese pizza and a Coke for one dollar. Blondie ' s, which was in the process of remodeling, countered by hiring an army of leafleteers to pass out coupons offering similar deals. As the pizzawar raged on, it became more and more difficult for students to cross the street without being assaulted with a barrage of flyers. Co-owner of Fat Slice, Gail Giffen attributed the restaurant ' s instant success to a combination of factors, namely a great location and extensive seating. The coupon definitely introduced us to the market; but now that our special offer has ended, we ' ve managed to main- tain the same volume of business. Manager Liz Leza com- mented that their recipe, developed by the faculty of the California Culinary Academy, adds a degree of quality. Customers think it ' s great. Contrary to popular belief, Fat Slice did not intend to run Blondie ' s out of business by opening within such a close vicinity. According to Giffen, it ' s insane to think there ' s not room on Telegraph for two good pizza places. And, indeed, it seems that she is right. With the re-opening of Blondie ' s, and an end to the cut-throat coupon competi- tion, customers seem to have settled back into their pizza eating patterns. Each pizza maker has its own special ap- peal that attracts customers. Blondie ' s, owned by Ken Sarachen, is considered by many to be the trend setter of by-the-slice pizza. Manager Mike Gilbert feels that Blondie ' s attracts students because of their fast service and wild atmosphere. Noting that many of Blondie ' s employees are, well, er different, Gilbert explained that, we expect more of our employees, but in return we let them be themselves, which is a lot different than say (the employees) at McDonald ' s. Yuri Shmelnik, co-owner of Golden Boy Pizza feels that passing out flyers has been necessary in order to in- troduce new customers to the restaurant, which is set about 100 feet off Durant Ave. However, once customers try his Sicilian style pizza and discover the ample supply of uncrowded booths (and live bands on Fridays and Saturdays), they usually become regulars. As addi- tional incentive, Golden Boy offers eight free toppings on a 94 cent pizza anytime of the day. Empire State Pizza, located in the Durant Center, seems to have an appeal all its own. Owner Terry Katsorus claims that their New York style pizza, first introduced in New York City by returning GI ' s, was the first by-the-slice pizza on the West Coast. Their hand-thrown dough, hearth ovens, and family operation contributes to their old- fashioned style. In addition, Empire State offers five free toppings for only 94 cents. LaVal ' s pizza, located across the street from the Durant Center, has been selling by-the-slice pizza only since the summer of 1984, even though they ' ve been in business for over thirty years. Co-owner Debbie Spenger feels that LaVal ' s success is due mainly to their ability to accomodate large groups. However, they began selling by-the-slice piz- za in response to numerous requests from customers. Kip ' s, located further down Durant past Telegraph, also sells single slices of pizza. However, assistant manager Gerard Morris feels that they attract customers who are looking for a larger menu selection. All in all, even the Telegrapn peace patriots seem to be enjoying the benefits of pizza warfare. Certainly there aren ' t too many places in the world where one can fulfill a student appetite for only a dollar. Of course, Blondie ' s old slogan Make pizza not war seems a little outdated; but then wouldn ' t we all rather be the victims of pepperoni pizza than an MX missile? — Holly Sutton 24 ,tn

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The night has arrived. It ' s 10:30 Satur- day night and I have finally brushed off the last vestiges of a slightly drunken slumber and have spent the late after- noon regenerating and preparing for the festivities to come. Although coming to school at Berkeley certainly wasn ' t my prime choice when judged by its level of nightlife, I figured that other schools with more incredible nightlife wouldn ' t necessarily promote my academic endeavors. But on Friday and Saturday night Berkeley actually does come alive with a bizarre energy all its own. To start a good night off, a good substantial meal is essential. Berkeley has much to be found in this department. From Chez Panisse and Santa Fe Bar and Grill down to Top Dog and Oscar ' s, one can eat just about anything for almost any amount of money. Food is a very important part of nightlife in the Berkeley area, and many couples and groups can always be seen lining up to get in- to this or that popular restaurant. Of course, for many students, this may be the only really good meal they will eat all week, especially if they live in the dorms or are lazy apartment dwellers like myself. Post-eating but pre-partying, I head for the nearest cafe to recharge before the activities to come. These are the havens f or scintillating conversation and psuedo-intelligence in Berkeley. Double cap to go is a universally understood catch phrase of daily stu- dent life, but on a Saturday night it ' s bet- ter to hang out for a bit and watch the people. Next to you is inevitably a self- proclaimed poet talking about one of the greatest feminist writers of the early 19th century . Of course, the cafes are hot spots every night, including weekdays. The best time to hit them is right around finals and midterms. This brings another mighty form of entertain- ment to mind, the libraries. Most people wouldn ' t call going to the library entertainment except for the fact that it isn ' t actually studying either. People go to see each other and to look for that mythical perfect guy in their Econ class, or that full babe in their History section. Anyway, the libraries are a part of the nightlife in Berkeley whether one uses them or not. While cafes and libraries are no doubt lively, parties are more along my lines for entertainment. This form of nightlife is universal in its appeal. All groups have some form of party whether it be an in- timate social gathering to promote academia or a rip-roaring, keg-a-minute fraternity party. Tonight I feel like going to several of the latter. First off, I cruise Warring. All I have to do to find a fraternity party is to listen for illegal sound levels. Although I can ' t get into two of the parties because you ' re not in the house, dearie , the third one is a huge six-way exchange that is open to almost anyone. Pushing my way through the front door I can ' t help but notice the Esprit labels, the button-down shirts, and the glint of white teeth. The air smells of beer, dancefloor sweat, and Polo intermingling, forming a cacaphony of scents. I wait fifteen minutes per beer and dance a then leave. Next I venture to an apartment party down the street. From the looks of it, I guess I ' m the only one there that doesn ' t know everyone else until I spot my friends talking to some girls. They tell me the punch is great and that more people are supposed to come later, but that ' s what they always say. One of the girls lives in the apartment and she is already frightfully drunk, which is fine because she doesn ' t really want to think about the carpet stains she will have to clean up tomorrow. I ' ve had about all I can handle of this scene, and depart with a friend to check out the co-op par- ty nearby. This party is definitely a theme party of some sort ... but we can ' t figure out what the theme is. But that ' s okay. The party is pretty packed, and many are dancing to the band that is playing in the corner, Dead Dog Spittle. We stay away from the punch on account of its sup- posed nasty hallucinogenic side effects. One girl is playing with a six foot python in the corner, and another guy is painting on the walls with day-glo fingerpaints under a black light. I decide I can ' t handle much more of this and begin to wonder whether the beer was spiked as well. I try to get my friend to leave, but he ' s busy talking to a girl with a multi-colored face who says she ' s disguised as confetti. Even though this party seems stranger than the ones we visited earlier, it also seems more en- joyable to the people here. The Greek parties often seem too contrived to be fun and apartment parties often lack the energy to take off; but these people really seem as if they ' ve cut themselves loose for the night. After a late night trip to Blondies, I feel a bit more refreshed, and realizing that it ' s only 12:30, decide to see who ' s play- ing at the Berkeley Square. On the way down University Avenue, I pass a bunch of my friends coming out of the movie theater. They caught some good flicks, and we ' re now ready for some high- energy fun. We all head off to the Square to see the Neon Turtles. The smoke-filled room and the stamped hands are familiar sights, instantly put- ting me at ease. The band is hot, but I decide that the gyrating bodies and loud music are too much for my partied-out system. I have a few more drinks and then cut out. My walking is slowed by the effect of the alcohol, but I pick up a six-pack anyway and show up at my friend ' s house. Everyone is mostly high or drunk and sprawled out on a huge bed. I give my beers away and settle down to watch a rented video of Breakfast of Tif- fany ' s. It is now nearly three and I think it was an evening well spent, having met some new people and having had good times with the old. I now feel comfor- tably sluggish, and at 4:45 I fall asleep with my head in someone ' s lap to dream of Betty ' s Oceanview Cafe for breakfast. I feel satisfied in making the most of Berkeley ' s nightlife. All I can say is that: There ' s more to life than books, you know, but not much more. — Ramsay Lewis