Mary Fazio first opened her “shack” in 1959 using family recipes, an infectious enthusiasm for delicious cuisine, and a strong work ethic. Today, her grandchildren continue her legacy by operating 15 locations in Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties.
Marie began working for The Shack when she was just ten years old and has since progressed into overseeing both Sonoma Plaza and Petaluma locations.
The Story
Mary Fazio began her pizza shack in 1959 with only $600 and the pots and pans from her home kitchen, creating a warm and welcoming environment to meet customers’ Italian comfort food needs. Her menu featured soups, pasta sauces, and salad dressings; in addition, Mary pioneered an open kitchen to meet guests as they entered and observe all that went on within.
Mary’s Pizza Shack in Rohnert Park is bustling on Tuesday evening. Pizza chefs are working quickly behind the baking counter, assembling pie after pie to slide into their hot gas ovens. When one guest asks if their large, classic crust cheese pizza can be “lightly baked,” the chef agrees it would benefit from extra time in the oven.
Chris Elliott had long established himself as a comedian and actor before landing the iconic pizza delivery role in “There’s Something About Mary.” His iconic pizza delivery character became an instant classic; thanks to him, this film became both a box office smash hit and a cult favorite.
The Movie
Paul Thomas Anderson’s coming-of-age ode to the San Fernando Valley stars relatively unknown Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim in their film debuts, making for an engaging story about relationships, infatuation, and melancholia in young people. Plot is not an issue as audience is immersed into characters’ world – one memorable scene was Mary cutting pizza using an instrument labeled as “VERY SHARP”, made even funnier by zooming in for extra comic effect by playing too many cutting sound effects!
The Something About Mary Pizza Guy was an endearing and relatable character from the film who quickly became one of its standout stars due to his unique quirks and comedic talent. His comedic talent added extra layers of comedy that resonated with audiences across generations and demographics. He played an essential part in its success and instantly became an instant fan favorite with audiences everywhere he delivered pizzas!
Concocting gross meals and daring your friends to try them was an age-old juvenile activity, sure to delight 10-year-old girls who watched the Olsen twins’ home video specials religiously. Their sleepover party featured in You’re Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley’s Sleepover Party features this activity among other juvenile antics like dancing and singing!
The Characters
Chris Elliott perfectly captured Chris Elliott as the iconic pizza delivery guy from Something About Mary with his portrayal as The Pizza Guy; audiences everywhere will long remember him for his catchphrases, eccentricities, and humorous interactions with Mary from this beloved classic film.
The Farrelly brothers took inspiration for Dom’s character from their real-life experiences with awkward and disdainful pizza deliverypeople, with Elliott contributing significantly to this success with his superb improvisation skills – something which helped cement its place as a classic film.
Paul Thomas Anderson also captured a memorable scene of Mary getting her ears pierced as an essential rite of passage, though without resorting to overly sexualized sequences that would detract from the drama of the story.
Lee Evans makes an impactful performance as Norm Phipps, the pizza deliveryman who becomes obsessed with Mary. To gain her affection, he fakes an injury so he can get closer to her.
Other notable cast members in this film include Kathy Bates as Nancy, mother to Mary and Warren; Markie Post as Sheila Jensen – Mary’s sarcastic best friend; Sarah Silverman as Brenda – another; and Khandi Alexander playing Joanie, an amusing bartender.
The Pizza
Pizza marys are an easy way to use up leftovers and provide quick meals for those on diets. Plus, there is the flexibility of customizing it according to your taste! Try topping yours with sweet potato and broccoli for an irresistibly satisfying dish, or opt for seafood pizza featuring succulent prawns, squid, and mango pieces for sweet bursts. Take this chance to experiment with different sauces like BBQ and ketchup, too.
An extra notable aspect of this pizza is its easy preparation at home; all it requires is a quality pizza crust and some essential ingredients. To make it, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the pizza crust before topping it with cheese for your delicious creation that makes the perfect brunch, dinner, or 3 p.m. snack!
Filippo Berio olive oil adds an irresistibly crunchy texture before baking, creating an irresistibly delicious pizza experience. Savory toppings combined with zesty tomato sauce produce one of the most tempting pizzas I have ever tasted!
Even though it is situated within a bustling shopping mall, this restaurant exudes old-world charm with its dim lighting and tables spread far apart – creating an environment in which guests won’t feel cramped and can have conversations without hearing everything that passes between tables.
