The scent of marinara wafts through the air, mixed with the tang of yeast and hot air. The bell above the door rings as I enter Stefano’s, a local chain restaurant with a location in downtown Petaluma.

Petaluma is known for its wide array of restaurants. From White Goat Bistro to Chunky’s Taqueria & Grill, this corner of Sonoma County has some of the best places to eat in the entirety of the Bay Area, in the humble opinion of many residents. Although Stefano’s isn’t technically native to Petaluma, having established its first location in Mill Valley in 1972, the pizza place has been nestled between Sugo Trattoria and the Poppy Bank for long enough that it’s become a staple of downtown dining.

Located at 5 Petaluma Boulevard South, Suite D, the first thing you’ll encounter when you walk into Stefano’s is the fragrant aroma of the food being made inside. The kitchen is tucked in the back of the restaurant, but the tantalizing scent of pizza and garlic bread permeates the air throughout the comfortingly small space.

That kitchen makes a variety of tasty treats, such as the infinitely popular single slices of pizza, which come in styles like the classic plain cheese or pepperoni.

These slices have gained positive notoriety throughout the Petaluma community because of their huge size compared to what one might expect from a normal pizza slice. Seriously, these things are huge.

Aside from their size, the pizza slices are delicious. Just like their full-sized counterparts, they’re made of a ratio of dough to sauce to cheese to other toppings. The entire thing is cooked to perfection, warm enough to melt in your mouth but cool enough not to burn your tongue. It defines Petaluma’s pizza scene, solidifying the epitome of what the classic meal should be.

Another highlight of the Stefano’s menu is their two varieties of garlic bread: cheesy garlic bread and pesto garlic bread which, in my humble opinion, are absolutely the best things on the menu. Both cost less than $10 for eight slices and a side of dipping sauce. The cheese coating the slices is the ideal consistency – not too thin, not too thick – and tastes like it came from Heaven itself. The slices are hot, but when dipped in the chilly accompanying dressing, they cool down to the best temperature for one to eat in just two or three bites.

Aside from the fantastic food, however, Stefano’s is also a welcoming and bright environment for all its patrons. With its walls painted like rolling hills and comfortable booth seats, the whole restaurant feels like a place where one can go and have no worries in the world other than how much pizza they can get into their stomach.

Stefano’s really cements itself as Petaluma’s favorite pizza place through its delicious food and warm environment. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat this upcoming summer vacation, and you haven’t tried Stefano’s yet, give it a try! You won’t regret it.