I made it down to Catalyst Pizza’s new Medford location tonight, and I’ve got to say, it was worth the drive.
After building a loyal following and absolutely crushing it in Grants Pass, Zach and his family have expanded into Medford. Opening a second location is never easy, and one of the biggest challenges for any restaurant is maintaining the same quality, consistency, and customer experience that made the original location successful in the first place.
They nailed it.
From the moment I walked through the door, the atmosphere felt familiar. The vibe captures everything people have come to enjoy about the Grants Pass location, creating a welcoming environment that feels comfortable whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. More importantly, the pizza tastes exactly the way it should. That’s something I always appreciate when a local business grows. It shows they care about doing things the right way rather than simply growing as fast as they can.
I ordered a slice of the Gangster Pizza, featuring pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, a New York-style crust, and finished with a drizzle of hot honey. Every bite delivered exactly what I was hoping for. The crust had that perfect balance of crispness and chew, the fresh mozzarella was rich and flavorful, and the hot honey tied everything together with just the right amount of sweet heat without overpowering the other ingredients. It’s a combination that simply works.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that consistency is what separates good restaurants from great ones. Plenty of businesses can have a great grand opening, but keeping the same quality from one location to another is where many struggle. Catalyst Pizza doesn’t appear to have that problem. The Medford location delivers the same quality, flavor, and experience that earned the Grants Pass restaurant such a loyal customer base.
It’s also refreshing to see a local family-owned business continue to grow while staying true to what made them successful in the first place. Expanding into another community takes confidence, hard work, and a commitment to maintaining high standards. Zach and his family have clearly invested the time and effort to make sure customers in Medford receive the same great experience that people in Grants Pass have enjoyed for years.
Southern Oregon has no shortage of places to grab a pizza, but it’s always encouraging to see a hometown business continue to succeed through quality, consistency, and dedication to its customers. Those are the kinds of businesses that help strengthen our local communities and deserve to be recognized.
If you haven’t checked out Catalyst Pizza’s new Medford location yet, put it on your list. Whether you’re already a fan of the Grants Pass restaurant or looking for a new favorite pizza spot, it’s well worth the visit.
Get out, support local, and show these hometown businesses some love.