For Mandy and Raj Kaur, Formaggio Pizza Express is about much more than making a great pie. What started as a quiet “someday” became a reality when, together with their brother Paul, they combined their complementary strengths to open a local pizzeria in EDH Town Center. At the heart of the leap was a desire to honor their parents and create something they could share with the family.
“Success isn’t measured solely by quarterly revenue,” Mandy says. “It’s built around legacy, trust, and shared values.”
Family is woven into the everyday rhythm of Formaggio. Raj and their nephew, Shanpal, are the familiar faces behind the counter, with Raj’s warmth and Shanpal’s kindness and larger-than-life personality making them favorites among regulars. The children also pitch in when they can, turning the business into a place where they can spend family time together while younger generations of the family can learn the value of hard work.
Of course, family is only part of what makes Formaggio feel like home. The Kaurs say one of their favorite things about EDH is the people.
“It’s the neighbors who look out for one another, welcome newcomers, and bring real heart to local gatherings that make El Dorado Hills feel like a true community,” Mandy says. “That blend of active, outdoor living with genuine human warmth is a pretty rare find.”
That same sense of hospitality carries into their grab-and-go restaurant, where customers are treated like neighbors. Whether you’re picking up dinner on the way home or having a pizza delivered to your doorstep, the family believes quality starts with the basics. “Our dough is prepared fresh in-house every day, with time and care given to create a crust that is crisp on the outside and light and tender inside. Our pizza sauce and ranch are also made from scratch,” shares Raj.
For first-time visitors, Raj recommends the Formaggio Combo, loaded with pepperoni, salami, Italian sausage, green bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and red onions. Raj shares, “We also offer gluten-free and vegetarian crust options, as well as vegan cheese. We want everyone to be able to gather around and enjoy our pizza!”
Beyond the classics, Formaggio offers toasted sandwiches, wings in a variety of crave-worthy flavors, and specialty pizzas with plenty of personality. One of their most noteworthy appetizers was born from a little kitchen experimentation, as Shanpal was mixing flavors in the kitchen. He created their now-famous Urban Fries: French fries topped with garlic ranch, red pepper flakes, a honey-garlic drizzle, and green onions. His creation quickly became a menu staple—and a delicious customer favorite!
Perhaps the best example of what makes Formaggio special isn’t found on the menu. It’s a story the family still talks about. One day, a customer ordered a pizza and took it out to her car. A few minutes later, she returned to the restaurant and asked specifically for the person who had served her. The family immediately worried that something had gone wrong.
Instead, she pulled out a $100 bill.
“She handed it to him and said, ‘This is the best pizza and customer service I have ever received,’” Mandy recalls. “Then she simply smiled and walked away.” The moment left the entire family beaming and became a story they continue to share.
For the Kaurs, those moments are what make the long days worthwhile. Even as rising food and supply costs create challenges, their goal remains simple: keep their food accessible to local families without compromising the quality and care that brought them here in the first place.
As EDH continues to grow, the Kaur family hopes to grow with it, staying connected to the community that has welcomed them. They’ll continue supporting local schools and events and, most importantly, making time for the family that started it all.
formaggiopizza.com
4390 Town Center Blvd., #130
As El Dorado Hills continues to grow, the Kaur family hopes to grow with it, staying connected to the community that has welcomed them.