Portside Pizza — Restaurant in Hollister

You know I was having one of those days. Those days where you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Those days where you know everything is going to suck. And on top of that it was hot and muggy outside. The type of muggy where you have to take an extra deep breath to get the thick air to your lungs. I had a rental boat with my family over at the State Park Marina when I stepped on to the dock and my nose was filled with a smell I can only describe as sensational. I followed my nose and was met with the restaurant located right next door to the marina, Portside Pizza It was bustling with business and people sitting at the picnic tables enjoying their food. I took a peak at what people were munching on and I saw a beautiful sight of thin crust pizzas and frozen lemonades. My stomach began to grumble and my mouth started watering, and I knew what I was about to take on for lunch. So I went out on my rental boat for a few hours and came back in the middle to stop back at Portside Pizza for a mid day lunch/dinner meal. We docked our boat in the spots right in front of the restaurant and went up to the window to order. The employees were so helpful on helping us decide what to order. I ended up choosing the bbq chicken pizza. They handed me a red buzzer that would beep when my order was ready so I would know exactly when my pizza was done. I walked through the picnic table area and ended up picking one that faced the water and the beautiful dock scene. I was sitting at my table enjoying the slight breeze coming from the water when my red beeper started going off. I jumped to my feet with excitement and walked up to the window where an employee was standing waiting there with my pizza in hand. I handed them my beeper and they handed me my pizza box in return and my mouth started to water yet again. The smell wafting from the box had me in utter disbelief. I walked back to my table where I peered inside of the box. I saw a golden brown pizza, thin crust, with bbq sauce and chicken pieces. Perfection. I couldn't get it in my mouth fast enough. That first bite changed everything. The flavors that erupted in my mouth are only comparable to a pizza place of highest stature. I finished my entire pizza in under 15min. I didn't need to finish is as I would have been satisfied with three pieces but I couldn't stop. After my pizza was gone I placed my pizza box in the conveniently placed carts they have where they discard the boxes for you. All in all I think it is very clear that I will be back for more of...

Port Side Pizza: A Slice of Rescue

It was supposed to be a perfect summer day on Table Rock Lake—sunny skies, calm waters, and the thrill of jet skiing. But my joy quickly turned to panic when my jet ski sputtered and died in the middle of the lake. With no signal and no help in sight, I had no choice but to swim to shore. Exhausted and drenched, I stumbled into State Park Marina and collapsed onto a picnic table at Port Side Pizza.

James Cox, the owner, noticed my disheveled state and approached without hesitation. After hearing my story, he nodded knowingly and returned to the kitchen. Moments later, he emerged with a steaming hot Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza—his specialty. The crust was perfectly crisp, the cheese melted into a golden blanket, and the toppings—smoky bacon, tender chicken, and a creamy ranch drizzle—were a revelation. Each bite was a comforting embrace, a stark contrast to the chaos of my day.

As I devoured the pizza, James sat across from me, offering a cold soda and a sympathetic smile. He joked, “We feed the shipwrecked here.” In that moment, I realized that Port Side Pizza was more than just a restaurant—it was a haven for those in need of solace. The food was exceptional, but it was the kindness and understanding that truly made it unforgettable.

By the time I finished the last slice, the sun had set, and the lake was calm again. Though my jet ski remained stranded, I felt a sense of peace. Thanks to this incredible pizza, I had found a moment of respite amidst the storm. Port Side Pizza had transformed a disastrous day into a...

We stopped by Portside Pizza because of the high Google rating and we agree the pizza is excellent. The manager/owner (possibly) stopped by to ask us how the pizza was to our liking. We expressed how good the pizza was and that maybe Dave Portnoy social media pizza rating extrodinair- question; what rating might his review be. Maybe 8.#? We visited for lunch and this is a take out open air seating...