Cafe Zoë, a beloved local coffee spot in the Willows, is a pleasantly welcoming space to enjoy high-quality coffee, fresh baked goods, open-mic nights for aspiring artists, and warm smiles from staff. Zoë recently joined forces with Neighborhood Pizza Guy, a local pizza business led by the charismatic Matt Burr, who has added an exciting addition to the menu with fresh weekly rotating flavors as part of his “Pizza Labs.”
A slice of pizza costs $6, an entire plain cheese or “build your own” pizza costs $21.50, and a pizza lab pie costs $29.50. I tried three flavors—two “Pizza Labs” and one plain cheese pizza.
Plain Cheese Pizza: 9.5/10
This was a perfect rendition of the plain cheese pizza staple. The tangy tomato sauce was surrounded artfully by mozzarella cheese rather than being embedded under it, which was a perfect spin on a classic done right.
Pizza Lab: Bacon & Ranch: 10/10
This was a delightful combination of classic flavors. The smoky bacon with ranch dressing created a uniquely savory flavor profile that one can rarely find in a pizza elsewhere. Every bite was a treat and reminded me of an elevated version of wings and dipping sauce. This is definitely the pizza I am most looking forward to trying again.
Pizza Lab: Salciccia Classica: 9.5/10
The combination of robust Italian sausage with a hint of fennel is always one of my favorites so, unsurprisingly, this pizza did not disappoint. The flavors blended immaculately with the mozzarella, and this pizza definitely came in a close second to the Bacon and Ranch pie.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie/Arnold Palmer: 9/10
Both drinks were refreshing after an excruciatingly hot school day. As someone whose go-to smoothie has been strawnana since I was nine, I found Zoës version to be just right. The smoothie achieved the desired strawberry-to-banana ratio, with the sweet strawberry complimented by milder hints of banana.
Avocado Toast: 9.5/10
I must admit I was perplexed when I opened my to-go box to see four crouton-like pieces of bread in place of a traditional avocado toast. However, Zoë’s rendition was perfectly executed. The lightness of the creamy avocado was met with its perfect texture inverse in the crunchy toast crackers and the pair was topped off nicely by thinly sliced radish and sprouts. I will order this one again as well—especially because the division of the toast made it perfect for sharing or enjoying smaller bites.
If you’re looking for a quick bite, delicious pick me up, or just a local community spot where you can feel welcome before a stressful day at work or school, Cafe Zoë–with its freshly diversified menu—is the perfect place to stop by.
