HistoryOriginal founder, George Tsares, knew back in 1976, that he wanted to make a great pizza for the under-serviced community of Varsity.
He knew that his ‘Greek-style’ pizza crust would be a hit, but he didn’t have a name or location for his soon to be famous pizzeria.
Eventually his search led to our location in what is now the far end of the dining room. He walked in and was struck by the old, white stucco arches along the original walls. He said he felt like he was in a bullfighter’s ring in Spain…Ole! The name ‘Matador’ was born.
For the next 35 years, George continued to build the Matador Pizza brand which has become a staple in the Northwest and specifically in the great community of Varsity. Starting out as just a small pick-up window, the restaurant has undergone 3 separate expansions resulting in the family-style pizza & steakhouse and lounge that exists today.
We love Varsity!
At least once a week we will have a customer in the building share a memory about Matador Pizza. Stories like, ‘my grandparents lived in Varsity so we came here for dinner every time visited’ or ‘we had pizza night every Friday and I remember coming to pick up from the original little pick up location with my dad. It was a really big deal to help carry the food to the car’ or ‘I worked here while I was in university and honestly the staff meals were what kept me fed for those 4 years’ or ‘I took my very first date ever here for pizza and we sat in the red vinyl booths and split a cheese pizza’. It seems many people have memories that include us in one way or another…. Fifty years in the same location has allowed us the privilege of not only being a part of a community but by the sounds of it, a part of Varsity history. WE LOVE VARSITY!
Present DayIn 2011 George moved on and a new ownership group took over. This group was definitely not new to Northwest Calgary or to Matador Pizza…
Majority owner Jason Seitanidis has been making the same ‘Greek style’ ciabatta pizza crusts for over 25 years and knew George as a young boy. He still has fond memories of visiting Matador all those years ago.
Another partner is Chef Rudren who has given 32 years of service to Matador and helped George develop many of the recipes that are still in use today. He continues to ensure our commitment to the highest quality and consistent preparation to these original recipes.
Managing partner Mark Downey has also lived in Northwest Calgary for well over 30 years and has long been a fan of Matador Pizza. With a long history of fine dining experience, he and his team work to ensure our commitment to service for the many generations of guests that join us.
This team has the same passion for pizza as the original founder. By honouring his legacy and traditions while still moving forward, we hope to ensure the satisfaction of our long-term guests as well as our newer ones.
