John introduced the Los Angeles­based Stuft Pizza franchise to the Bay Area more than 22 years ago. His first Stuft Pizza was on Cottle Road. The second location opened in Campbell, and the third is in Los Gatos on Los Gatos Boulevard. The new Willow Glen restaurant replaces the Campbell location.

"We decided to move the restaurant to the Willow Glen area because of the people," Holly said.

Seated in one of the elevated booths at the front of the restaurant, John explained how this new location is different from the rest.

"Stuft Pizza has always been a good place to go for pizza. What we wanted to do with this location was turn it into a full-service restaurant where families could come and have a real sit-down dinner together," he said.

In keeping with that goal, the tables are covered with large sheets of white paper, and crayons are kept in small cups on each table.

"It's definitely a family restaurant, but we've also designed it for the sports enthusiast and the couple that just wants to go to a nice place for dinner," Holly said.

Along one side of the interior of the restaurant John's influence can be seen. There are large televisions tuned to many of the current sports events, and the banquet room features a television with a 100-inch screen.

Along the other walls are pictures of great actors and actresses from long ago. Those were Holly's idea.

"When people walk in, we want them to feel like they've come to a nice restaurant but also a fun place to eat," Holly said.

Toward the back of the restaurant is counter seating, where customers can watch the chefs prepare the hand-tossed pizza.

"People seem to get a lot of enjoyment out of watching their pizza being tossed up in the air and then prepared in front of them. They can see all of the fresh ingredients we use and the care that our chefs use in preparing a meal," said John.

For the Valentines out there, John is preparing a piece of pizza artwork for Feb. 14.

"Remember when you were in school and you were taught to fold a piece of paper in half and cut out a heart? Well, that's what I've decided to do with the pizza dough. We'll be serving heart-shaped pizzas to our customers for Valentine's Day," John said.

"John is great at coming up with holiday ideas," Holly said. "For Christmas he made braided dough wreaths and little dough ornaments for the customers. They loved it."

Although pizza is the main dish served at Stuft Pizza, new items are being added to the menu.

"We're serving a lot of pasta dishes at this location," said Holly.

One such dish is the linguine with pan-seared salmon. Tomato, mushroom, capers, garlic and herbs in a white wine­lemon sauce seems to be a hit with some of the customers who have become regulars at Stuft Pizza since the opening.

Also offered on the pasta menu are grilled vegetable penne and clam linguini, as well as La Villa Delicatessan's famous ravioli.

Hot sandwiches and calzones have also become popular, and cold sandwiches are available as well.

For more information on catering or banquet facilities, call 408.723.7333. Located at 1560 Hamilton Ave., Stuft Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.