Mazala Pizza: What to Order at San Jose’s Late-Night New Indian Pizza Player | Eater SF

"Operating from a sidewalk-facing pickup window marked by a striped awning and a large menu, this late-night Indian-inspired spot brings a chaat-driven spin to pies and snacks, with toppings like samosas, vegetable manchurian, and palak paneer, plus saucy tikka masala wings and masala fries loaded with cheese and green peppers. Opened in November 2024 as the brand’s first West Coast outpost, it traces its roots to Jay Patel’s pandemic-era pivot from Chicago’s Moti Cafe to Mazala Pizza, a takeout-friendly concept built on Indian flavors; the California location drops tacos and burritos in favor of sandwiches and wings. Pizzas come in personal naan size or 12-inch thin or pan crust; the palak paneer pizza uses a spinach-based sauce reminiscent of pesto, the masala elote pizza is dotted with charred corn heavily seasoned with masala, and the samosa smash—stacked with crushed samosas and sev over cheese and tikka masala, then drizzled with mint and tamarind chutneys—is a standout and the smartest order at $22 for a 12-inch. Keeping with pizza-shop tradition, there are wings tossed in the same sauces used on the pies, including spicy firecracker and tikka masala, along with fried chicken sandwiches and a panko-crusted paneer sandwich, both finished with pickled onions and a medley of chutneys. Momos come fried or steamed and can be topped with the house sauces plus green pepper, onions, and sev; the fried version delivers better texture, and the moti momos in a zesty mayo-based sauce are a solid bet. Seating is limited through its connection to a downtown food hall—there are tables but not much ambience—and the dining room closes at 9 p.m., while the window runs 11 a.m.–midnight Sunday–Thursday and 11 a.m.–3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays." - Octavio Peña