San Rafael’s Pinky’s Pizza Closing, Chipotle Coming to Montecito Plaza

Editor's note: Hear the reference to Pinky's Pizza in American Graffiti, directed by Marin resident and Star Wars creator George Lucas, at 2:16 in the above YouTube video. Scroll down for more about the audio clip (can you guess who that was answering the phone at Pinky's?) and the film's local ties. 

After 56 years in San Rafael, Pinky’s Pizza, located in the Montecito Shopping Center near Trader Joe’s, is set to close at the end of July. 

Chipotle Mexican Grill will open at the space, located at 345 3rd Street, later this year, according to Chipotle Communications Director Chris Arnold.

Kentfield resident Scot Arnold, who owns Pinky’s Pizza along with San Rafael’s Peter McNamee, said there are many reasons why the San Rafael eatery, which was a popular kid and teen hangout for decades, is shuttering.

The main reason, Arnold said, is that the venue’s concept —a pizza place with beer on tap and arcade games — is “past its time.”

“Now everyone has an iPhone, iPad and Xbox. Video games are not a big thing for kids anymore,” he said, adding that an increase in regional pizza places hasn’t helped, either. “Instead of coming here to please kids, parents would rather go to upscale yuppie places.”

Decades ago, there were “dozens” of Pinky’s Pizza parlors throughout the Bay Area, which had its heyday from the 1950s through the 1970s, Arnold said.

“In the ‘50s this was the cruising place,” he said, adding that many people who grew up in Marin in the 60’s have a Pinky’s story. 

Today, there is still a Pinky’s in Petaluma and one in Walnut Creek recently reopened.

The new Chipotle will be the third Chipotle to open in Marin and the second in San Rafael. Other locations are in the Northgate Mall in San Rafael and at 880 De Long Avenue in Novato. 

George Lucas Answered the Phone in Pinky’s American Graffiti Prank Call

Arnold said a common Pinky’s misnomer is that people assume the Pinky’s Pizza mentioned in George Lucas’ 1973 movie American Graffiti, which was filmed in Petaluma, San Rafael and other Bay Area locations, is referring to the San Rafael location.

In American Graffiti, radio DJ Wolfman Jack makes an on-air prank call to Pinky’s Pizza. Hear it at 2:16 in the above YouTube video. Bonus trivia: According to the Internet Movie Database, the voice on the other end of the line belongs to Lucas, who lives in San Anselmo and recently unveiled statues of his famous characters Yoda and Indiana Jones days before he was married in Marin.

Arnold said “everyone thinks” the Pinky’s mentioned in the movie is the San Rafael location.

The San Rafael Pinky’s was originally opened in Larkspur and moved to San Rafael 56 years ago, said Arnold, who has owned the restaurant with McNamee since 1999. They are the fourth owners of the San Rafael Pinky’s.

Other reasons for the closure include the shopping center’s “astronomical rent,” Arnold said. 

“We tried to sell it, but people saw the rent and turned it down,” he said.

The restaurant used to be a common destination for organized team meetings, but those have teetered off, he said.

“We were really shaken by one group of parents who said if we didn’t sponsor a whole league they wouldn’t come here,” Arnold said. 

Families also don’t use Pinky’s as often for special events, such as birthday parties, Arnold said.

Plus, the 2008-09 economic downturn didn’t help the eatery’s fate, he said.

Finally, Arnold and McNamee opened a resort in Panama in 2009 and have been splitting their time between San Rafael and Panama. He said they’ve decided to shift all their attention to the resort.

Pinky’s Pizza in San Rafael has eight employees, Arnold said.

Until Pinky’s closes, they will be having specials on Monday through Thursday — prices will be cut in half for dine-in patrons.

Do you have a Pinky’s Pizza story? Tell us it in the Comments!