An old tire shop became a zombie-themed pizzeria because a teenager loved zombies. Seriously, that’s the family inspiration behind one of the more unusual restaurant concepts you’ll encounter.
The Virginia business opened in 2022 after its owner spent more than three years transforming the former automotive space. His son’s fascination with zombies helped inspire the name, while his own background influenced a menu combining New York-style pizza with Mediterranean flavors.
I find the family connection especially charming. Turning a child’s favorite theme into an actual restaurant takes dedication, and spending years renovating the building makes the story even more memorable.
The menu includes homemade ingredients, specialty pizzas, and options for customers with different dietary preferences. Between the unusual backstory and the creative food, there’s plenty to discuss before anyone even chooses a slice.
A Teenager’s Favorite Monsters Became The Family Business
Most restaurant names come from a family surname or a street. Zombie Pizza got its name from something far more fun, a teenage boy’s fascination with zombies.
Owner Hamed Kalifa, a native of Libya, opened the pizzeria in Richmond in May 2022. He didn’t borrow a theme from a marketing meeting.
He borrowed it from his own son.
I like that detail a lot. It turns a simple pizza shop into a small family love letter.
Every box and every sign carries a little piece of that kid’s imagination.
The name also does a great job of sticking in your head. Try forgetting a place called Zombie Pizza after you drive past it once.
Good luck with that.
The family-owned spot leans into a friendly, welcoming style rather than a scary one. So nobody needs to worry about jump scares while waiting for garlic knots.
That mix of quirky and cozy sets the tone for everything else here. The zombie part grabs your attention first.
The family part is what makes the place feel personal.
It’s a good reminder that some of the best business ideas start at the kitchen table. Sometimes a teenager’s interests really can shape an entire Virginia neighborhood restaurant.
Three Years Of Work Turned Oil Stains Into Oven Heat
Tires used to roll through this building. Now pizza dough does, and the switch took serious patience.
Hamed Kalifa spent more than three years transforming a former tire shop into Zombie Pizza. That’s a long stretch of planning, building, and waiting before a single slice left the oven.
Think about everything a tire shop holds. There are bays, tools, and a layout built for cars, not customers.
Reworking all of that into a working kitchen and dining space is no small job.
The outside still shows its roots as a squat brick building. It doesn’t try to hide where it came from.
Honestly, that history gives the place extra charm.
I believe reused buildings tell better stories than brand-new ones. You can almost picture the old garage doors and the shift toward pizza boxes and flour.
Three years also says a lot about commitment. Plenty of people would have quit halfway through a project like that.
So when you stop by, the building itself is part of the experience. It’s proof that one determined Virginia dad saw a pizzeria where others probably saw only an old auto shop.
You Will Want To Fold These Big New York Slices
New York-style pizza is the foundation here. Slices come large enough to fold, which is the classic way to eat them.
Zombie Pizza adds a Mediterranean twist to that familiar style. The owner’s roots show up in the flavors, giving familiar pies a fresh personality.
The dough gets plenty of attention. It’s described as light, airy, and buttery soft, with real flavor of its own.
That matters, because a crust should be more than a handle.
Signature pies include the Greek Pizza, Meat Lover’s, Supreme, Buffalo Chicken Ranch, and Pepperoni. There’s also the Zombie Sicilian, which wins the award for best name on the menu.
The Greek Pizza feels like the clearest nod to that Mediterranean side. If you want a taste of what makes this place different, it’s a smart first pick.
The kitchen focuses on fresh, homemade ingredients. That emphasis helps the simple stuff shine, from sauce to cheese to toppings.
My advice is easy. Grab a slice, fold it in half, and take that first bite before it cools.
Some traditions exist for good reason, and folding pizza is definitely one of them.
Halal, Vegan, And Gluten-Free Fans Finally Get A Seat At The Table
Finding pizza that fits every diet in one group can feel like solving a puzzle. Zombie Pizza makes that puzzle a whole lot easier.
The pizzeria is known for halal pizzas. That’s a big deal for families who usually have to skip toppings or settle for plain cheese.
Vegan diners get real choices too, not just a sad side salad. Options include Margherita Vegan, Mushroom Cheese Vegan, Olive Cheese Vegan, Vegan Cheese, and Veggie Vegan pies.
Gluten-free options are on the menu as well. So the friend who always asks about crust can finally relax and order.
I like how this approach keeps everyone at the same table. Nobody has to pick a different restaurant or eat before they arrive.
It also fits the family spirit behind the business. A place built around a dad and his son naturally wants every guest to feel included.
Planning a group dinner in Virginia gets much simpler with a spot like this. One order can cover the halal eater, the vegan cousin, and the gluten-free roommate.
That’s a pretty impressive trick for a pizzeria named after zombies.
Garlic Knots And Wings Make A Strong Case For Ordering Extra
Pizza might be the headliner, but the opening acts deserve attention too. The appetizer list reads like a party menu.
You’ll find garlic knots, mozzarella sticks, calamari fritti, cheesy breadsticks, chicken tenders, french fries, and onion rings. That’s a lot of crunchy, dippable goodness before the main event.
Garlic knots are a smart starting point. They’re one of the most talked-about items connected with the restaurant.
Wings come in Plain, Buffalo, BBQ, Hot, and Garlic Parmesan. That range covers mild eaters and spice fans alike.
Not in a pizza mood? Salads, calzones, strombolis, and subs give you plenty of other directions.
A calzone makes sense when you want pizza flavors in a sealed, easy-to-carry package. Subs work great for a quick lunch, too.
My tip is to build a sampler for the table. Pick one pizza, one basket of knots, and a batch of wings.
Everyone gets a little bit of everything, and nobody has to argue about toppings.
Hungry teenagers, take note. This menu seems built for exactly your kind of appetite.
Breakfast At A Pizza Place Suddenly Makes Perfect Sense
Doors open at 8 in the morning every day. That’s early for a pizzeria, and there’s a delicious reason behind it.
Zombie Pizza houses a coffee shop inside the restaurant. You can grab coffee, coffee lattes, and a lineup of creative matcha lattes.
The matcha flavors are surprisingly fun. Fig Matcha, Pistachio Matcha, Yuzu Matcha, and Coconut Matcha all sit on the menu.
Donuts round out the morning crowd’s options. Choices include Boston Cream, Maple, Chocolate Sprinkle, Cinnamon Cake, Glazed, Plain Cake, and Vanilla Sprinkle.
Smoothies add another path for anyone skipping caffeine. Peanut Butter Blast, Coco Cloud, Tango Mango, and Strawberry Cloud all sound like happy ways to start a day.
I can’t imagine a more flexible restaurant schedule. Coffee and a donut in the morning, then pizza for dinner, all at the same counter.
That combination turns the shop into a true neighborhood stop. It’s not only for Friday night takeout anymore.
So the next time you need a morning pick-me-up in Richmond, consider a zombie-themed detour. A Yuzu Matcha and a glazed donut might just wake you up better than any alarm clock.
Save Room, Because Dessert Here Gets Serious
Cake and pizza in one visit sounds like a birthday party. At Zombie Pizza, it’s just a regular menu option.
Three cakes anchor the sweet side. Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake, and Chocolate Cake cover the classic bases nicely.
Then come the ice cream sandwiches. The pizzeria offers treats from Nightingale Ice Cream, a beloved local name for frozen desserts.
Flavors include Key Lime, Cookie Monster, Banana Pudding, The Classic, Chocolate French Roast, and Chocolate Blackout. Picking just one might be the hardest decision of the night.
Banana Pudding feels like a fitting choice in Virginia, where that dessert has deep Southern roots. Cookie Monster seems made for kids, or for adults who never grew up.
I love that a pizza shop carries a local dessert brand. It shows a real connection to the surrounding community.
Here’s a practical idea for families. Let each person pick a different sandwich flavor, then share bites around the table.
Of course, a slice of red velvet works beautifully for anyone who prefers cake. Either way, ending a pizza dinner with something sweet just feels right.
Your sweet tooth will thank you later.
Cozy Vibes And Family Warmth Beat Any Scary Theme
A zombie name might suggest spooky decor and fake cobwebs. The actual mood leans much more cozy and inviting.
The interior has been described as having a funky, urban vibe. It’s a casual spot that feels relaxed instead of fancy.
Family is the heart of the whole operation. Zombie Pizza is family-owned and known for treating customers like family, too.
That warm approach comes from the top. The business stays committed to community engagement in its corner of Richmond.
I believe a friendly counter makes food taste better. A good greeting can turn a quick pickup into the best part of a long day.
The restaurant works well for families with kids. A name like Zombie Pizza is basically guaranteed to make younger diners grin.
Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all available. So you can choose a sit-down meal or carry your pie home for movie night.
Fans of the place can even pick up a shirt to show some zombie pride. It’s a fun souvenir from a spot with such a memorable name.
Wearing it might start a few conversations around town.
Grab A Pie And Head For The Park Down The Road
Location adds one more reason to love this place. Zombie Pizza sits at 3400 Semmes Ave, Richmond, VA 23225, in the Forest Hill area of South Richmond.
That puts you close to Forest Hill Park. Some customers like carrying their pizza over for an easy outdoor meal.
A pizza picnic under the trees sounds pretty unbeatable on a nice day. Bring a blanket and plenty of napkins, because folded slices can get messy.
The hours make planning easy. The shop opens at 8 a.m. daily and stays open until 9 p.m., with later closing at 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
That schedule fits almost any plan. Morning coffee before a walk, lunch after a bike ride, or dinner before heading home all work.
For visitors exploring Virginia’s capital, this stop offers a true neighborhood feel. It’s a nice break from busier downtown areas.
I like the idea of pairing pizza with a stroll through the park. It turns a simple meal into a full afternoon.
So pack your appetite for adventure. A former tire shop, a park nearby, and a zombie-loving family story make one fun Richmond outing.
