About

Palo Mesa Pizza was built on one simple ingredient—love. Michael and Kelly, both raised in Monroe, Michigan, grew up surrounded by the restaurant business. They fell in love young and married in 2000, sharing a passion for food and hospitality. Michael later graduated from the same college where his godfather founded the culinary program. Eventually, they decided to take a leap and head west, not realizing that this journey would grow into something much bigger than they ever imagined.

After arriving on the Central Coast, Michael and Kelly built strong connections in their new community. One of those connections became family when they "adopted" Ken, who shared their passion for food. Together they opened the first Palo Mesa Pizza in April 2007 on the mesa in the Craig Center, which Ken built. Ken explained that Palo Mesa means "wooden tabletop," which inspired the handcrafted tables and counters he lovingly built for the restaurant. Over the years, their family and business grew. Their daughter Michaela was born, and in 2012 they opened their second location. In 2013 Michael earned his first #1 award for Best Traditional Pizza at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas and later placed #3 for Best Pizza in the USA, earning a spot on the United States Pizza Team. Their third location opened in San Luis Obispo in 2014, and the team's passion for pizza continued to gain recognition.