Sacramento is not lacking in pizza. With options like Chicago Fire, Pieces, recently opened Papi's Pizza, family-owned businesses like Zelda's and Luigi's, or wood or brick oven-cooked Italian pizza from Hot Italian or Masullo, it's hard to imagine the need for more pizza establishments.

But on Monday, May 18, midtown residents will be treated to the opening of a California Pizza Kitchen on 16th and L, the 253rd incarnation of the restaurant. One of the most impressive reasons to dine at a CPK could be its extensive children's menu that was recently named "The Best Kids Menu in America" by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine.

Located in The Firestone Building, it will be open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. except Friday and Saturday when it's open until 11 p.m.

But does California Pizza Kitchen have a place in midtown?

Instead of current pizza places feeling endangered by this big chain, they welcome a competitor to the scene that they seem to have well under control.

"We welcome it," said Luigi's employee Terra Soto.

"With the midtowners, they like the mom and pop shops, and they don't really like the mainstream. The midtowners are pretty much set in their ways; we already have our following" she added.

"It's important to realize that we've been around for 50-something years, and the only thing that really changes the neighborhood is going to be Second Saturday," she said matter-of-factly when asked whether or not a pizza chain would change the neighborhood dynamic.

When asked the same question, Linda Ellington, manager of Zelda's Gourmet Pizza, answered, "We have our own following. There are other [pizza places] around us, so it gives people a choice. For some people it's not their style. We're more of a comfort food, a pan pizza."

"People that like that kind of pizza are going to go [to California Pizza Kitchen], and people that like our pizza are going to come here," Ellington said.

"I'm happy if they can make a go; besides, we're in different neighborhoods," said Robert Masullo, owner of the newly opened Masullo Pizza.

However, he wasn't completely thrilled at the idea of a chain.

"[With] the big chain, you get the feeling like you're everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It tastes the same everywhere. Why bother being in Sacramento?" asked Masullo.

"It's one thing to have clean water everywhere, but it's another to have food taste the same everywhere," he added.

Two events are already scheduled for the new restaurant. On Sunday, May 17, the eve of the grand opening, there will be an invite-only preview for selected people to view the new location. And on Tuesday, May 26, California Pizza Kitchen will donate 100 percent of their proceeds to Big Brothers Big Sisters, a national youth mentoring organization that matches children to qualified adult mentors.