A Los Gatos pizza custom returns as JJ Magoo’s opens up for enterprise – The Mercury Information
Mountain Mike is living another life as JJ Magoo’s. It could even be said Magoo’s has been reincarnated. But the important thing to know is that a few weeks ago in Los Gatos, JJ Magoo’s Pizza opened in New Town on Los Gatos Boulevard. It’s now where Tomato Thyme pizza used to be, and before that, Stuff’d Pizza. Herein lies a long pizza tale …
Some 50-plus years ago on the west side of town, a pizza place called Magoo’s occupied a portion of the shopping center on Los Gatos Boulevard north of Highway 9. It operated successfully until it closed in 1984. That’s when Jim Johnson–the JJ in Magoo’s, who was the director of operations for Mountain Mike’s Pizza Inc. at the time–decided to buy one of his company’s franchises with his late wife Peggy and partner Steve McVay.
They made pizzas and friends in the old Magoo’s location, creating a landmark by erecting out front a huge carved wooden statue of a lumberjack, aka Mountain Mike. It was an icon for generations until wood pests started working on old Mike’s burly limbs, making him unsafe for the kids who insisted on climbing into his arms. Mike came down, and the rent went up. Johnson says his franchise agreement ended in November of 2007, so he closed Mike’s after 23 years. But new beginnings for him were in the works on the east side of town.
The owners of Tomato Thyme, who previously had operated in New Town under the name Stuff’d Pizza in the same space, lost their lease, so they closed in December of`07. That’s when Johnson took out a lease on the place and set to work razing the interior.
“We took it down to concrete and bare studs,” he says. The resulting 2,300 square feet of space, two-thirds the size of the previous tenants’ eatery, is room enough for a big kitchen housing two old pizza ovens from Mike’s, weighing some 2,000 pounds each, plus a shiny new grill to accommodate Johnson’s expanded menu. The seven-month process of permitting, remodeling and decorating has resulted in a kid-friendly atmosphere with space for 70 diners or at least two celebrating teams.
“We have two soccer teams in here tonight, and last night the board met here,” he says. He can accommodate groups of up to 35 diners in each of two sectioned-off areas.
Digital photos of earnest youngsters in batting and running poses have been blown up and form a montage of soccer, T-ball and softball action on two walls. Taken by parents, the photos are of local kids on teams over the past four years from Blossom Hill, Daves Avenue and Van Meter elementary schools. In his off time, Johnson has been a coach in Little League baseball since the mid-80s. Now he coaches in the Los Gatos-Saratoga Girls’ Softball League where daughter Serafina, 8, a third-grader at Blossom Hill, is a player.
JJ Magoo’s menu includes all the pizzas that were popular at Mike’s, including Louisianns Hot — the Lousianna style hot sausage with jalapeno peppers; the Chicken Club — a combination of chicken, crisp bacon, fresh tomatoes and green onions pulled together with creamy garlic sauce; and BBQ Pineapple chicken with barbecue sauce. “We make all our own sauces, all our own dough and blend our own cheeses,” Johnson says. Pizzas run from $7.65 for a mini to $32.90 for an extra large.
From the new grill, a dozen hot sandwiches include cheeseburger, Italian sausage, Philly cheese steak, a meatball sandwich and pastrami, all $7.95 or under. Another popular item, the Monday through Friday (11 a.m.2 p.m.) all-you-can-eat luncheon buffet, includes the salad bar, pizza, garlic bread and soft drinks for $7.99. Appetizers and sides, such as buffalo wings and chicken tenders, plus salads, round out the menu.
“I’m gearing to the teams I coach,” Johnson chuckles. “I hope that doesn’t scare off adults.” Perhaps in an effort to appease them, he offers draft beer and local wines by the glass or bottle.
Johnson, a native of Nebraska who grew up in Willow Glen, is an alum of San Jose State where he studied math and music (he plays guitar). He’s lived in Los Gatos for 25 years. He and wife Paula have teamed up with her sister Sue and her husband Glenn Roberson of Nevada as partners in JJ Magoo’s — the “JJ” standing for Johnson and meant to differentiate from the original of 50 years ago. Johnson’s son Corey, 34, has joined the Magoo staff as a fulltime employee.
“Business has been surprising, especially since we’ve not advertised yet,” Johnson says. “People were watching as we remodeled, and on our first day open, there they were.” He says lots of Mike’s regulars were among the throngs.
JJ Magoo’s, 15525-D Los Gatos Blvd. in Los Gatos, is open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.11 p.m. Call (408) 354-.5208 for delivery or take-out.
