Marcus Rivera
Head Chef
With 18 years in the kitchen, Marcus brings artistry to every pizza. He perfected our signature dough recipe and oversees all culinary standards.
Our Story
About Dion's
From a single location on Central Ave to Albuquerque's most beloved pizza brand — over 45 years of fresh ingredients, real recipes, and community.
Our Story
A Slice of Albuquerque History
It all started in 1978 when founder Dion Graybill opened the first Dion's at 4717 Central Ave NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a simple philosophy — use the freshest ingredients, keep recipes honest, and treat every customer like family — Dion's quickly became the neighborhood staple that locals counted on.
Decades later, that founding spirit lives in every pizza we craft. We still hand-stretch our dough daily, source our produce from trusted regional suppliers, and make our signature sauces in-house using recipes that have stood the test of time.
What began as a single storefront on Route 66 has grown into a multi-location brand beloved across New Mexico — but we've never lost sight of what made us who we are: real food, real people, real community.
45+
Years Serving NM
12
Locations
500k+
Happy Customers
200+
Team Members
Our Purpose
Mission, Vision & Promise
Everything we do is guided by a commitment to quality, community, and the joy of sharing great food with the people you love.
Our Mission
To serve Albuquerque and beyond with honest, handcrafted pizza made from the finest local ingredients — delivering not just a meal, but an experience worth sharing.
Our Vision
To be New Mexico's most trusted and loved food brand — a place where families gather, communities grow, and every visit feels like coming home.
Our Promise
Fresh ingredients, no shortcuts. Every pizza is made to order with the same care and pride we had on day one — because you deserve nothing less.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
These aren't just words on a wall. These values shape every decision we make — from how we source ingredients to how we treat our team and community.
Fresh Quality
We source fresh, high-quality ingredients every single day. No frozen shortcuts, no compromises.
Community First
We're part of Albuquerque's fabric. We give back, hire locally, and invest in the neighborhoods we serve.
Made with Care
Every dish is prepared with genuine care for both the customer and the craft — just like it was in 1978.
Integrity Always
We're transparent about what goes into our food, how we operate, and how we treat every member of our team.
Always Innovating
Classic recipes anchor us, but we're always exploring new flavors, methods, and ways to delight our guests.
Joyful Experience
Food should be fun. We put genuine warmth and energy into making every visit memorable and comfortable.
Sustainability
We're committed to reducing waste, supporting sustainable sourcing, and doing our part for the planet.
Excellence
Good enough is never enough. We hold ourselves to high standards in taste, service, cleanliness, and hospitality.
The People Behind Dion's
Meet Our Team
From the kitchen to the front counter, our team is the heartbeat of Dion's. Get to know the dedicated people who make every pizza great.
Sarah Montoya
General Manager
Sarah ensures every Dion's location runs smoothly and every guest leaves happy. Her passion for hospitality has shaped our service culture.
James Ortiz
Sourcing Manager
James builds relationships with local farms and suppliers to ensure our ingredients are always fresh, seasonal, and ethically sourced.
Priya Chavez
Marketing Director
Priya brings Dion's story to life online and in the community. She's the creative voice behind our brand and community engagement programs.
Our Journey
45+ Years of Pizza History
From a single storefront to a New Mexico institution — here's how Dion's grew from a passion project into a community cornerstone.
1978
The First Slice
Dion Graybill opens the first Dion's at 4717 Central Ave NE in Albuquerque, NM. Just eight tables, one oven, and a dream to make the city's best pizza.
1984
Second Location Opens
Word of mouth drives demand. Dion's opens its second location on Coors Blvd NW, bringing the famous recipes to the West Side of Albuquerque.
1991
The Signature Recipe
Head Chef introduces the now-iconic green chile and roasted garlic sauce — a nod to New Mexico's culinary roots. It becomes Dion's best-selling menu item.
1999
Community Award
Dion's is recognized by the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce as "Best Local Restaurant" — the first of many community awards over the next two decades.
2007
Expansion Across New Mexico
Growth accelerates with new locations in Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces. The Dion's family now stretches across the entire state.
2015
Online Ordering Launches
Dion's embraces the digital age with a full online ordering platform — making it easier than ever for customers to get their favorite pizza fast.
2020
Standing With Our Community
During a challenging year for everyone, Dion's pivoted to contactless delivery and donated thousands of meals to frontline workers and food banks across New Mexico.
Today
Dion's — Still Going Strong
12 locations, 200+ team members, and a legacy built on real food and real community. The journey continues — and the best is still ahead.