Zelda’s, a midtown landmark, is getting a new owner

After more than four decades in Sacramento, a popular pizza restaurant is getting new ownership.

Zelda’s Original Gourmet Pizza, 1415 21st St. in Sacramento, was founded by Zelda Breslin in 1978.

Her son, Kerry Matthews, has been running the restaurant for the past 18 years. Now, he said, it’s time for the business to pass to someone new.

Matthews said he’ll continue running the restaurant for a while before turning over the keys.

“It’s me for a couple of weeks,” Matthews said Wednesday evening.

WHAT IS ZELDA’S ORIGINAL GOURMET PIZZA?

Zelda’s Original Gourmet

Pizza is credited with introducing Chicago-style pizza to the capital city in the late 1970s.

An Illinois native, Breslin perfected her deep dish recipe at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.

In addition to thick, cheesy pizzas with classic toppings such as sausage and pepperoni, Zelda’s menu serves up specialty pies such as the Everything, which comes with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, onions and anchovies, or the Spinoccoli, which features broccoli, seasoned spinach, fresh tomato slices and three kinds of cheese.

Pizzas are sold whole or by the slice.

The restaurant also offers appetizers, sandwiches, salads and pasta.

WHY IS SACRAMENTO RESTAURANT OWNER SELLING BUSINESS?

After keeping Zelda’s running for nearly two decades, Matthews said he’s ready to “become a professional leisure-est” and “move on to the next chapter in life ... out of California.”

Matthews said he plans to move to Nevada.

Asked who is buying Zelda’s, a representative for the business told The Bee they were not legally allowed to provide that information.

However, Matthews confirmed that he is selling the pizzeria to someone who’s work for the restaurant for 40 years.

“Nothing will change” with the sale of Zelda’s, he said. “It would be a win win for everybody.”

As Matthews prepares to hand over the business, he said he’s thankful for the community’s support, adding that he’s met “many great customers” and “fantastic people over the years”

“I thank everybody for their patronage over the last 48 years,” he said

XAVIER MASCAREÑAS Sacramento Bee file The sign for Zelda’s Original Gourmet Pizza, known for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza for more than 40 years, glows on 21st Street. The family behind the midtown landmark is selling the business.