A quick review of the new Popolo’s Pizza in the Madera Ranchos.
In case you missed it. Popolo’s had to move from Herndon & Blackstone long ago (not to mention the Shaw & Marks location) to Palm & Nees. They recently closed that location. But they have reopened in the Madera Ranchos.
Tucked way back in a kind of strip mall you would only find in the Ranchos. It’s at 37272 Avenue 12, in the heart of the Rancho business strip, behind the Sinclair gas station.
RUNDOWN OF MADERA RANCHOS POPOLO’S
The space is much smaller than any of their previous spots. And it’s a quick-serve, order-at-the-counter style, now, which isn’t terrible, really.
The food tastes the same. Signature dough and dishes mostly remain. Pizza is still great.
One glaring food difference is… no salad bar. Sadness. The Herndon & Blackstone salad bar was legend. Palm & Nees was ok. No salad bar in the Ranchos.
I get it, though, if they put in a salad bar, they would have to take out two tables. And they need all the tables they can get there. They still have salads and will make one how you want it, and that’s cool. But it’s a bummer the salad bar is gone.
There is also no video game room like previous iterations. There is one standup, though, with multiple games, so there is at least something. It might be nice to find a space for one skill/prize game, as a better nod to the old games.
Also, something I feel they could do is find at least ONE booth (if not more) that is like one of the booths back at the Blackstone location. You could fit a few smaller ones in that space, and it would be rad. I hope that is something they figured out in the future.
WHAT ABOUT THE BEER!?
They still have it! The old Popolo’s was one of Fresno’s leaders in getting Craft Beer on draught, an early adopter. They still have some of it, nothing major, but enough basics for you if you want a decent beer with your pizza.
So, if you are missing Popolo’s food, the drive out to the Ranchos is worth it – even without a booth or salad bar.
