Our Story
About Dion's
Since 1978, dion's has been Albuquerque's home for handcrafted pizza and fresh, honest food made with ingredients and traditions that New Mexico families trust and love.
Founded in ABQ
Where It All Began
The dions Story
Dion's was born from a simple idea: serve the people of Albuquerque real food, made with care, at a price that makes sense for families.
When dion's opened its first location on Academy Road in 1978, New Mexico was hungry for something different — a place where the pizza dough was made fresh every morning, the salads were crisp and honest, and the staff treated every customer like a neighbor. That philosophy hasn't changed in nearly five decades.
What started as a single neighborhood pizzeria grew into a beloved local institution. Through every decade, every expansion, and every new menu addition, dions has remained rooted in the community it serves. We source locally where we can, hire locally always, and give back to the Albuquerque neighborhoods that made us who we are.
Today, dion's pizza is recognized across New Mexico as a taste of home — not just because of the flavors, but because of the people behind every slice.
What Drives Us
Our Mission & Values
At dions, every decision starts with the same question: is this good for our customers, our team, and our community? These are the values that guide us every day.
Fresh Always
Every dough batch is made fresh daily. No shortcuts, no frozen shortcuts — just real ingredients prepared from scratch each morning at every location.
Community First
Dions was built by Albuquerque, for Albuquerque. We hire locally, partner with local suppliers, and invest in the neighborhoods around every dions location.
Genuine Hospitality
Whether you're picking up a dions pizza or dining in with family, every visit should feel warm and welcoming. That's not a policy — it's just who we are.
Consistent Quality
From our first location to our newest, every customer gets the same great experience. Quality is the promise behind the dion's name — every single time.
Our Journey
dion's Pizza History
Nearly five decades of growth, milestones, and moments that shaped what dions is today.
The First Slice
Dion's opens its doors on Academy Road NE in Albuquerque — a modest pizzeria with a big vision: fresh dough, real cheese, and a sauce recipe that would become legendary in New Mexico.
Expanding the Menu
Dions adds its iconic ranch dressing and fresh salads to the menu — items that become as beloved as the dion's pizza itself. Customers start calling it their go-to for a full meal, not just pizza.
Second Location Opens
Growing demand across the city leads dion's to open a second Albuquerque location. The brand begins to take shape as the city's hometown pizza chain — a title dions wears with pride.
Online Ordering Launches
Dions becomes one of the first local New Mexico restaurants to offer online ordering, making it easier than ever for families to get their dions pizza fix without waiting on hold.
Community Giveback Program
Dions formalizes its school and nonprofit fundraising program, having donated over $1 million to Albuquerque community organizations. Giving back becomes a core pillar of the dions brand.
40 Years of dion's
Dions celebrates 40 years in business with special events, community celebrations, and the introduction of new menu items honoring the restaurant's New Mexico roots and decades of loyal customers.
Looking Forward
With 12 locations across New Mexico and a thriving catering program, dions continues to grow while staying true to its roots — fresh food, community focus, and every pizza made the same way it was in 1978.
The People Behind dions
Meet Our Team
Dions is more than a restaurant — it's the people who show up every day to make sure every customer leaves happier than when they walked in.
Marcus Rivera
Head Pizzaiolo
Marcus has been crafting dions pizza for over 18 years. He oversees all dough production and ensures every pie meets the quality standard the dion's name demands.
Sandra Ortega
General Manager
Sandra joined the dions family in 2008 and has led operations at our flagship Academy Road location since 2014. She is the beating heart of our service culture.
James Trujillo
Executive Chef
Chef James brings culinary school training and New Mexico roots to the dion's kitchen. He leads menu development, ensuring dions stays fresh while honoring its classics.
Elena Chavez
Community Relations
Elena manages dions' school fundraising and nonprofit partnerships. Since 2011, she's helped connect dion's pizza to over 200 Albuquerque community organizations.