From a single dion's pizza shop on the corner of a New Mexico street to a beloved Albuquerque institution — learn how dions became the community's favorite dining destination over more than four decades.
It all started in 1978 when founder Dion Albaugh opened a small sandwich and pizza shop with a simple dream: serve fresh, handcrafted food made with New Mexico heart. What began as a neighborhood lunch spot quickly became a gathering place for families, students, and workers across Albuquerque.
Today, dion's is recognized as one of New Mexico's most cherished local restaurant brands. Our menu — anchored by our legendary dions pizza — continues to be made with fresh ingredients, scratch sauces, and the same neighborly spirit that defined day one. Every slice, sub, and salad carries more than four decades of love.
At dion's, we believe that great food is more than just a meal — it's a moment of connection, comfort, and community shared around the table.
To bring people together through honest, handcrafted food — made with fresh New Mexico ingredients and genuine care in every dish we serve.
To be New Mexico's most trusted restaurant brand — one that generations of families choose for every occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to milestone celebrations.
We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by partnering with local farms, minimizing waste, and using eco-friendly packaging across all locations.
From sponsoring Little League to feeding first responders, dions is deeply woven into the fabric of Albuquerque life — and proud of it.
Since 1978, these five core values have shaped how we hire, how we cook, and how we serve every single customer who walks through our doors.
We never compromise on ingredient quality. Our dion's pizza dough is made fresh every morning, our vegetables are delivered daily, and our sauces are crafted from scratch.
Every guest is treated like a neighbor. We believe in warm, personal service that makes people feel at home — because many of our customers have been coming for generations.
We give back because New Mexico gave us everything. Dions donates to local schools, partners with nonprofits, and supports community events year-round.
Our guests expect the same great dions pizza experience at every visit, every location. We uphold rigorous standards so quality is never left to chance.
Our team is our greatest ingredient. We invest in training, celebrate diversity, and build an inclusive workplace where every voice matters.
Every dion's pizza, sub, and salad made fresh to order.
From a single storefront to a New Mexico institution — here are the defining chapters of the dions story.
Dion Albaugh opens the original dion's pizza shop in Albuquerque, NM. The menu is simple: fresh-made pizza, cold subs, and crisp salads. Lines form within the first week.
Overwhelming community demand leads to dions opening its second location in the Northeast Heights. A third follows within two years, establishing the brand citywide.
Dion's wins the Albuquerque Journal's "Best Pizza" award for the first time — the beginning of a long streak of recognition that solidifies dions as the city's pizza king.
Dions expands its offerings with hearty salads, specialty subs, and a kids' menu — reflecting the evolving tastes of its loyal multi-generational customer base.
Dion's becomes one of the first New Mexico restaurant chains to adopt eco-friendly packaging and deepen partnerships with local farms, furthering its commitment to the community and environment.
Dions introduces online and mobile ordering — making it even easier for loyal fans to get their favorite dion's pizza delivered right to their door across the greater Albuquerque area.
With 15+ locations across New Mexico and over 1 million happy customers served, dion's continues to grow — while staying true to the fresh, handcrafted quality that started it all in 1978.
Passionate, dedicated, and deeply rooted in New Mexico — our team is the heart and soul of every dions experience.
Chief Executive Officer
With 20+ years at dion's, Maria leads the brand's vision and growth strategy. A native New Mexican, she's committed to preserving dions' community roots while expanding its reach across the state.
Head Chef & Menu Director
Carlos is the culinary genius behind dion's pizza recipes and seasonal menu innovations. Trained in both classic Italian and New Mexican cuisine, he ensures every dish honors our scratch-made legacy.
Director of Operations
Angela oversees day-to-day operations across all dions locations, ensuring every team member and every kitchen delivers the consistent quality our loyal customers have come to love and expect.
Community Relations Manager
James is the bridge between dion's and the Albuquerque community. He manages charitable partnerships, school fundraisers, and the events that keep dions at the heart of New Mexico life.
Interested in joining the dions family? We're always looking for passionate people.
Join Our Team Order NowOver 45 years of freshness, community, and flavor. Experience why Albuquerque keeps coming back for dions pizza — order today and taste the tradition.