About Us

Lazzari was founded in San Francisco in 1908. Originally located in the city's Cow Hollow district, Lazzari's earliest business was the sale of heating coal and firewood to San Francisco businesses and residents. Daily deliveries throughout the city were made by drivers using horse drawn wagons.

In the 1940s, Lazzari began importing mesquite charcoal from Mexico as a specialty product for cooking food. Roy Lazzari, son of company founder Hugo Lazzari, discovered the appeal of mesquite during a chance conversation with a railroad worker just recently returned from the Sonora Desert in Mexico – one of the main geographic regions where the gnarled mesquite trees grow. Mesquite's exceptionally high and long-lasting heat made it a favorite among Bay Area chefs, who viewed it as the perfect fuel for searing meats and fish. As the gourmet grilling trend exploded in the late 80s and 90s, the general public got in on the act – backyard barbecuers eschewed the conventional, chemically-treated charcoal briquettes of the 50s and 60s, and instead sought out the hot-burning, premium performance of Lazzari 100% natural mesquite lump charcoal. This upsurge in demand, both from food service and retail customers, has shifted Lazzari's focus primarily to providing mesquite lump charcoal and high quality firewood for cooking.

In 2022, the Lazzari brand was acquired by Lazzari Arizona LLC, bringing it's operation closer to where production takes place in Southern Arizona. Lazzari Arizona continues to build upon its commitment to provide quality products and service to the food service and retail market.

We strive to be the number 1 choice for high-quality charcoal products, becoming a reliable partner to our customers in the Food Service and Retail industries.

Since its beginnings in San Francisco in 1908, Lazzari has been the brand of choice for all those looking for high quality fuels for cooking and Industry. We offer the best charcoal products, imported from Northern Mexico and delivered to Food Service, Grocery and Specialty Store customers across the United States.