Mazala Pizza San Jose — Restaurant in San Jose

A Midnight Feast That Changed Everything It all started at 12:30 AM—the kind of hour where hunger doesn’t whisper, it roars. I was standing at the crossroads of discipline and indulgence, torn between my commitment to fitness and the irresistible pull of a late-night masterpiece: Masala Pizza’s Chicken Tikka Pizza.

I told myself, Just two slices. A test of willpower. A challenge to my self-control. But what I didn’t realize was that those two slices weren’t just food—they were an experience.

The Arrival of Greatness The moment I cracked open the box, I was hit with an aroma so divine, it was practically holy—a fusion of charred, smoky tikka spice, the richness of melting cheese, and the unmistakable warmth of freshly baked naan. Yes, you read that right. This wasn’t just a pizza crust—this was naan bread, cooked to golden, crispy perfection, its edges kissed by fire, with just the right amount of chew.

And then came the toppings:

🔥 Authentic tikka sauce, bold and tangy, coating every inch like a sacred marinade. 🌶️ Crisp bell peppers & onions, sliced to perfection, adding a crunch that cut through the richness like a symphony of textures. 🧀 Cheese & moti, stretching, oozing, melding into the tikka sauce like a flawless duet. 🌿 Cilantro lime drizzle, a burst of zesty freshness, pulling everything together with a vibrant, citrusy kick.

And to top it all off? A side of garlic aioli. A sauce so smooth, so garlicky, that it should be illegal.

The First Bite – A Moment of Truth I lifted my first slice. The naan had that perfect crispness—the kind where the bottom is firm, but the inside remains pillowy soft, absorbing just enough sauce without getting soggy. The cheese stretched as I took a bite, and that’s when I knew:

This wasn’t just pizza. This was art.

The smokiness of the tikka sauce danced with the richness of the cheese, while the cilantro-lime drizzle cut through like a burst of freshness, resetting my palate for the next bite. The balance of flavors was so precise, so deliberate, it was clear that this pizza wasn’t made—it was engineered.

The Battle of Self-Control I finished my second slice. My body demanded more. My soul demanded more. But I had made a pact with myself—I was on a fitness journey, and I was going to practice moderation.

So, with every ounce of restraint, I closed the box. The remaining two slices stared at me, calling my name, whispering promises of flavor yet to be explored.

But I walked away.

The Morning After – A Miracle Unfolds I woke up the next morning, bracing myself for the damage. But then—a miracle.

Yesterday, I was 170.1 lbs.

This morning? 168.5 lbs.

I had eaten pizza—real, flavorful, indulgent pizza—and still lost weight. Why? Because this wasn’t your average greasy, gut-busting, regret-inducing slice. No—Masala Pizza was portioned to perfection. Every bite was satisfying, every ingredient crafted with intention, making sure I got the full experience without overindulgence.

The Verdict Masala Pizza isn’t just food. It’s an adventure. A journey of flavors, textures, and indulgence wrapped in just the right amount of discipline. It’s proof that you don’t have to sacrifice taste for fitness—you just have to eat the right pizza.

And if you haven’t tried it yet? You’re missing out on one of life’s greatest culinary experiences.

📍 Masala Pizza – where late-night cravings become...

A hidden gem in downtown San Jose

I found this spot while making an effort to try new places in the city, and it quickly became one of my favorites.

Being a window in the wall adds to its charm, with the option to sit outside or inside the public food hall right next to the window. Not to mention the friendliness of the staff, especially with Drew always happy to talk you through on deciding what to order depending on your preferences and dietary restrictions. You can tell he really cares about the service he provides and making Mazala Pizza an important part of the community.

The half off and bogo deals on different items throughout the week make it a perfect option for a college student or anyone on a budget, which was why I was able to try pretty much every item on the menu the first week I started eating here. Their mainstay, being the tikka pizza, is always a top choice given its unique flavor and generous amounts of protein and sauce, and tastes even better especially at 2 am after a night out. The wings are generously coated in sauce, the chicken sandwiches are perfectly crispy and the Tuesday bogo bowls make it easily a smarter and tastier decision than Chipotle’s burrito bowls hands-down. You really can’t go wrong with any of the food items. My personal favorite has been the mazala fries. I’ve never been to a place that’s been able to serve fries with the so-called “perfect texture”, where it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This, coupled with their seasoning blend makes it easily one of the best in the city. I’ve genuinely never had cravings for fries until I tried the ones here.

The quality of the food, amazing deals throughout the week, plenty of vegetarian options, and the friendliness of the staff makes this easily a soon-to-be staple of the local...

4/29 Update - I ordered a personal pizza today. Added extra ingredients to bring it to $22. The pizza seemed smaller than last time (approx 5 1/2" x 6 1/2") and sadly my 'no cilantro on the pizza' was not followed and it was pretty much covering the pizza. If you are a person who genetically can't eat cilantro, this is basically inedible. I can not even try to fake it and endure the distaste. Sadly, they were made aware and did not offer to replace it or even partially credit my order. I will have to contemplate returning. This is an expensive lunch to end up in the garbage. :( It looks good but smaller than I would imagine for that price.

Food was fresh. One Manchurian naan and one Butter Chicken thin crust to compare.

The naan was cooked well and wasn't dry. The toppings were good and the ratio of sauce was ideal but I would've liked more onion or maybe jalapeno. The spicy red sauce on the side was soooo good and so hot! The white sauce was good to cut the heat. I would recommend a naan pizza to dip your toes in the water.

The thin crust was missing a bit. There was no sauce on the bottom so the flavor wasn't very strong. The crust was overcooked as you can see but I have friends who love that burntness. The garlic sprinkle was very light tasting-minced fresh would be ideal, or onions to add flavor. I prefer veggie but for people who eat chicken this is good also.

We will definitely return. I would love it if they added a potato cauliflower pizza like a local competitor. ;) I look forward to trying their momo, but today I only saw chicken filled on the menu and although I eat it, it's not my go-to. The thin crust issues brought it down from a 4-star rating but...