Mr. D's

It’s the only brick building on the South side of Oak Street, between El Dorado and Hunter, and is an historic landmark. Today, it houses Mr. D’s Pizza & Sports Pub.  But, from 1856 to 1926, it held the engine and boiler rooms of the Wagner Leather Company, operators of the Pacific Tannery. The Tannery occupied the entire block and for years was the only Tannery in the San Joaquin Valley and one of the largest in the West. Products, including harness and sole leather, were shipped throughout the Pacific Coast, the Orient and other world markets.

The original Mr. D’s Pizza closed its doors in 1999. Current owner, Mike Jimenez, worked for Mr. D’s then and dreamed of some day owning the business.  It took two and a half years for Jimenez to realize his dream, but it finally happened.  Mike reopened Mr. D’s Pizza & Sports Pub, at 122 East Oak Street, on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2005.

“There is nostalgia here in this building and many old customers have returned,” says Jimenez. “Mr. D’s has it’s own life. It’s not just a pizza parlor.”

National sports memorabilia covers the East wall, while local sports are displayed on the West side of the restaurant. There’s even a wedding photo of friends that were married in the restaurant. The original Mr. D’s pizza is still served with green olives and peperoncini peppers, along with appetizers, sandwiches, salads, soups, Mr. D’s famous hamburgers, a variety of pizzas and, of course, beer and wine. The juke box features Latin music for the “thirty and over” customers. Today’s Mr. D’s is a place to bring your family, watch sports, and enjoy great food. Five televisions are tuned in to various sports channels and there is a banquet room for larger parties.

Mr. D’s is open 7 days a week.  Sunday – Thursday, 10 am - 10 pm; Friday and Saturdays, 10 am - Midnight. A tradition of free munudo is served on Sundays.  Stop in at Mr. D’s for lunch or dinner, or give yourself a break and order take out at 941-0881.

Further articles on the history of working downtown: