Zorba’s Pizza Express in Northside changes hands

Zorba’s has been open in Bellevue for over a decade. (Mike Platania photo)

There’s a new owner at the helm of a longtime Bellevue pizzeria. 

Zorba’s Pizza Express at 4026 Macarthur Ave. was sold in recent weeks to Mohammed and Ahmed Alhasani for an undisclosed amount. 

The brothers are planning to revamp the pizzeria, namely by rebranding and adding some Middle Eastern dishes to the menu. 

The Alhasanis previously owned Shawarma Bistro in Short Pump and food truck 2nd Alarm Grill, but sold those and have spent the past few years at their day jobs: Mohammed as a firefighter and paramedic and Ahmed as a professional chef. 

Zorba’s Pizza Express has operated along Bellevue’s main commercial drag since the early 1990s, offering traditional Italian-American fare. It is not affiliated with a similar-named restaurant, Zorba’s Greek & Italian Cuisine, in western Henrico.

Mario Contreras was the seller. He said he bought Zorba’s in 2011, and has also had a stake in local Mexican restaurants Contreras said after over 40 years in the business, he’s getting ready to retire. 

“I’ve been in the restaurant industry for a long time,” Contreras said. “It’s time to hang up the gloves.”

Mohammed said he and Ahmed heard through a friend about Zorba’s Pizza Express being available and moved to acquire the restaurant and equipment. 

“Once we get settled, we’ll be switching a lot of things,” he said. “We’re in the process of fixing a lot of stuff, and it’s going to take us a few months to order equipment and get a plan together.”

Mohammed Alhasani said they’ll be eliminating some items on the menu but will keep bestsellers like its pizzas, subs and some appetizers. The main change will be the addition of Middle Eastern food. 

“It’ll be an infusion with Middle Eastern cuisine. We’re going to add some shawarma, kebabs and things like that,” he said. 

The Alhasanis are also planning to add some outdoor seating and get a cover for the building’s patio. 

The Zorba’s building is owned by local developers Ben Adamson and Alex Griffith, who picked it up early last year for $300,000. 

Adamson and Griffith are also overseeing the redevelopment of the former Samis Grotto Temple building next door into apartments and retail space dubbed The Bellevue. The development’s commercial space has all been claimed by gift shop Maven Theory, menswear retailer Homme Essentials and bakery Kickshaws. 

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