8-Bit Pizza

03/15/2025

Several years ago I made a post on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stay-your-lane-craig-hindall/?trackingId=wnKIadRPTseMSMszwK6qBQ%3D%3D #?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_pulse_read%3BPnTtH%2B58S5yXVdVDXMybDA%3D%3D

I went against all odds and opened my own pizza restaurant in Austin, TX. Yesterday would have been the 3rd anniversary of that opening. It was challenging and exciting. I formed the 8-Bit Pizza company in 2019. Only 4 years later did I open my first and only restaurant. We had the most incredible employees and customer base. Why did we close? I'll say this publicly, we had a terrible landlord in our opinion.

I wanted to keep going, maybe open a restaurant in Las Vegas. Each day that dream got harder and harder. Between my multiple jobs and my health, I simply don’t have the time and energy to keep my dream alive—at least, not on my own.

It may feel like I am giving up, but I am not. But just like I wrote in my LinkedIn post, sometimes we have to change lanes. I'm an IT guy. It's in my blood. I have been working on computers since I was 10. My friends, family, and co-workers know this about me. Feel free to follow me at https://www.facebook.com/digitalevolutionsnet

So what's next for 8-Bit Pizza? While I may not be able to bring 8-Bit Pizza back myself, I hope to see it live on through someone else’s passion. I have the trademark, and experience to help them do that. Please feel free to reach out at [email protected].

I’ll keep this site up as long as I can—as a tribute to the incredible team, community, and dream we built together. Thank you to every employee, customer, friend, and family member who made 8-Bit Pizza more than just a restaurant—it was a dream come true.

Remote IT Support, Software and Hardware troubleshooting, Development, VOIP, Consulting

07/06/2024

06/09/2024

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7POdkJu5mM/?igsh=MTJzamRydHJ0enZhZQ==

All that’s missing is the pizza!

06/04/2024

Today marks the 2-year anniversary of the closure of 8-Bit Pizza. In some ways it feels like it was yesterday. In other ways it feels like it was several years ago.

I miss it. It is still my dream. But it is a dream I have learned from, and I need to be better prepared for it if I am to pursue it. I still own the domain, copyright, and of course logo. Last year I revamped the web page https://eightbitpizza.com. I am not giving up on my dream. But I promised my spouse that I would get us a house first. That is going to take another year or two. Then I want to start small and get a food truck instead of going big with a restaurant. I have learned a lot from Izzy's Pizza - Omaha.

For now, I want to enjoy what I have. I am INCREDIBLY happy to be back in Las Vegas. It feels like home. And someday it will be 8-Bit Pizza’s home. Thank you all for your support.

04/11/2024

Can't get more 80's than this.
Craig Hindall

02/28/2024

Now if we could get some 80s street names.

Serenity Place, the newest project by Harmony Homes, consists of a neighborhood with rather unique street names: they’ve all been named after Pokémon.

02/26/2024

It’s official! Moving back to Las Vegas next month!

02/24/2024

Today is Steve Jobs "69th" birthday. He changed the world. He made it so that I could survive this world born with a disability. Steve wasn't a saint. But his passion is what drives me. It's the reason I don't quit on so many things I have failed at. In honor of Steve, here is his speech at Stanford.

Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios...

01/01/2024

Happy 2024 to family, friends, and everyone else!

New year new me???

Well let’s start with 2023. It wasn’t a “bad” year. It was my first full year as an EDI Manager at my job. It had its challenges which I tackled with determination and passion. My biggest challenge was my financial struggles. In January 2023 my Chapter 7 bankruptcy took effect. When I started my score was 535. As of this writing my score is 696. In 2023 I had two amazing trips to Myrtle Beach to see my family (and meet my favorite actor Grant Gustin). My goal in 2023 was to become better in Swift development. Well, I am happy to report I am working on my first App to hopefully be released in 2024. Now…..on to 2024!

2024 is a huge milestone for me for relationships, career, and life.

Las Vegas – My lease ends the end of 1rst quarter of this year. I am finally moving back to Las Vegas to be close to friends, and family! In my opinion, and mine alone it was huge mistake to move to Texas. I need to put the loss of the restaurant and the anger and emotion I have behind me, so that I can heal, and rebuild what I lost. Austin is a beautiful city, but it’s not home.

Financial – As with 2023 I continue to rebuild my “financial empire”. It has been a challenge with all the prices going up. To be honest the move will be a struggle, but it MUST happen. I will be focusing on savings and reducing costs in preparation for 2025 and purchasing a home. I may take on additional jobs or activities to earn extra income.

Career – As I mentioned in my summary 2024 is a milestone in my employment. I will have been with Zotec for 15 years. I put my heart and soul into my job. I will be focusing myself into advancing and increasing my knowledge. It is my intention to show how valuable I am to my employer so that together we can reach our goals.

Development – 2023 made it possible for me to accomplish a 6-year New Year Goal. At the end of 2017 I bought myself an Apple MacBook Pro 15. In 2020 I upgraded to the 13” M1 MacBook Pro (time for an upgrade in 2024). The reason? To learn Swift. Oh, what a frustrating challenge. The reason I couldn’t get it, I gave up each year. Not in 2023. So, in 2024 I will release my first app. If you want to be a victim (I mean Beta Tester), let me know. You must have an iOS device (16.2+) and a love for TV Shows!

8-Bit Pizza – It’s the truth. I have not given up on my dream. In 2022 when I lost the restaurant, and all the vendors came after me I really felt like 8-Bit Pizza was done. But even then, my heart was telling me something different. I go through all the emotions. But at the end of the day, I was never given a fair chance and the timing was wrong. I can’t promise anything big for 8-Bit Pizza in 2024. What I can tell you is 8-Bit Pizza will be back. I hope to start small and grow. I have learned a lot. I met some truly wonderful people (as well as some terrible people). 8-Bit Pizza is my dream and I will be working on that dream in 2024 but in baby steps. If you feel you can help in anyway with that dream, please feel free to reach out.

In summary to me, 2024 is about continuing to rebuild, to concentrate on quality of life, and be grateful for what I have.

05/29/2023

Today marks the 1-year anniversary of the most amazing party of my life, all thanks to the incredible team at 8-Bit Pizza! It was a dream come true seeing everyone having a blast with delicious food and playing Nintendo 8-Bit games. Sadly, we had to close our doors in Austin.

Despite the financial challenges, I firmly believe that this isn't the end for 8-Bit Pizza. That's why I've kept this page active—I'm not ready to give up just yet.

It will take time and meeting our obligations, but I'm hopeful that someday soon, we'll be able to open another restaurant.

Thank you all for your unwavering support!

-Craig Hindall

03/14/2023

Happy Pi Day. The anniversery of the restaurant officially becoming 8-Bit Pizza. I wish we could have remained open.

Thank you to everyone that supported us.

12/06/2022

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the purchase of my restaurant in Austin. It is very bittersweet. 8-Bit Pizza has meant the world to me. I am very saddened that I am unable to celebrate due to circumstances beyond my control. I really wish there could be a do-over button.

I had some of the best employees a person could ask for. I learned a lot, and have some wonderful experiences.

Maybe someday an opportunity may arise. For now. RIP 8-Bit Pizza.