Review: Zeeks Delivers on Promises of Tasty Pizza, Inviting Atmosphere

Ever since my boyfriend and I learned to make a reliably good pie at home, our trips to the local pizza parlor have become increasingly rare. After all, why pay for something you can make yourself, for less money?

But after driving by Redmond's  many, many times in the six months since the restaurant first opened, I finally had to satisfy my curiosity.

I walked in just after the lunch hour expecting the somewhat-rushed, order-at-the-counter setup that's become common at many other local pizza joints. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a full sit-down restaurant, complete with several oversized booths, table service and a separate bar area.

The menu at Zeeks, which also has a , beat my expectations as well. Offering more than 20 varieties of "signature combos"—which are nearly evenly split between meat and vegetarian options, the restaurant gives lunchtime diners the choice of ordering by the pie ($16.95-$23.95) or selecting from four by-the-slice pizzas ($2.95-$3.95).

Although Zeeks serves classic favorites like pepperoni and Hawaiian, those of us who prefer less-conventional toppings have a lot to choose from. My dining companion and I settled on a pie with half of the Chevre Roast and half Veggie Thai ($19.95 for a medium), along with a side wild greens salad—which was only a couple of bucks to add on to the pizza.

Both varieties of pizza were extremely flavorful, the Chevre Roast featuring whole garlic cloves and the Veggie Thai topped with ample fresh cilantro and packing a good amount of spice. (You get to choose the number of "stars," just like in a Thai restaurant.) The best part of Zeeks pizza, however, just might be the crust—crunchy on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside.

The salad was another tasty hit, offering chunks of Gorgonzola cheese, cashews and a tangy-sweet raspberry vinagrette dressing. The portions were equally satisfying, the medium pie and "side" salad being more than enough to share between two people. 

Our total coming to around $25, it's obvious Zeeks isn't trying to be a cheap-eats alternative to Domino's or Pizza Hut. But with a cheerfully large interior, several HD televisions and 10 beers on tap (most of them local), it became apparent the restaurant could provide something I won't always find at home: fresh, handmade dough, extensive menu choices and a festive atmosphere—not to mention a break from doing the dishes. 

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Zeeks Pizza is located at 16015 Cleveland St., Suite 100, in Redmond. Dine-in hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Happy hour is offered weekdays between 3 and 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close. Call 425-893-8646 or visit zeekspizza.com for more information.