Think San Diego is all about sun, surf, and Cali burritos? Well, hold on to your pepperoni, because there’s a pizza revolution quietly rising.
That’s right, amidst the beach waves and taco stands, San Diego has been secretly kneading and tossing its way into the hearts of pizza lovers. It’s time to embark on a deliciously cheesy journey, exploring every saucy slice this city has to offer.
And, to help you get started, here’s the list of the best pizza shops in San Diego, as voted on by a poll of our readers.
Table of Contents
Bronx Pizza (160 votes)
📍111 WASHINGTON ST, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92103
Let’s face it, every New York-style pizza joint outside of the Big Apple claims they’ve cracked the code to the perfect slice. But at Bronx Pizza, they’re not just talking the talk, they’re baking the bake. The sauce? Richer and tangier than a Broadway star. The crust strikes that elusive, crave-worthy balance between chewy and crispy – a culinary tightrope act. And the toppings? Let’s just say they don’t skimp.
Whether you dive into the topping-laden Bronx Deluxe or cozy up with the veggie-packed Whitestone, your taste buds are in for a treat. Just remember, this place is a ‘cash only’ establishment. So, if you forget your bills, you might just end up washing dishes for a slice of that pizza heaven!
Pizzeria Luigi (131 votes)
📍1137 25th St. San Diego, CA 92102
📍2121 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92104
📍717 Seacoast Dr. Imperial Beach, CA 91932
📍5001 Newport Ave Ocean Beach CA 92107
Calling all ricotta enthusiasts! Pizzeria Luigi is where your cheese dreams come true. It’s like a love letter to ricotta pizza, penned in the most delicious marinara ink. Their ‘Crime Scene’ pizza is less of a culinary misdemeanor and more of a flavor fiesta, with meatballs, marinara, and dollops of ricotta that could make a grown person weep tears of joy.
Fancy a walk on the wild side? Try the ‘Sports Bar’ pizza. It’s like someone dared them to put a baked potato with sour cream, chives, and bacon on a pizza, and they said, ‘Challenge accepted.’ The deep dish pizzas here don’t just set the bar; they vault over it. And for the adventurous, they toss out toppings like eggplant with a magician’s flair.
Wash it all down with their beer selection, because nothing says ‘gourmet’ like a slice of pizza in one hand and a craft beer in the other. Pizzeria Luigi isn’t just a pizzeria; it’s a cheesy, saucy, doughy wonderland.
Pizza Port (83 votes)
Pizza Port does not cook its pizza in pizza ovens or according to ancient Italian traditions. It uses modern industrial pizza making equipment and techniques. It is not, in short, competition for some of the high-end boutique pizza shops on this list. But that’s not a bad thing. Its pizzas are good, and they come with a really wide variety of toppings. These include the traditional toppings, of course, but also things like shrimp, pomegranate, palm hearts, and much more. There are a lot of different sauces, too, from the traditional red sauce to barbecue sauce and including such exotic choices as ranch and teriyaki. Pizza Port is made for families, office pizza parties, and other large gatherings with its plentiful picnic table seating.
Tribute Pizza (56 votes)
Tribute Pizza is located close to a local farmers’ market, and it puts that closeness to good use. Its pizzas are made with the freshest ingredients because it sources them from there. Its sauce tomatoes are organic. The location itself is unique, too. It used to be the post office, and it’s kept much of the post office signage. It also has an open kitchen, so guests can watch their pizzas being made while they wait. You should definitely try the Cadillac Margherita pizza. The mushroom Whitestone is a great choice too, though. Or, for something really different, try the Bees Mode, which has pickled sweet peppers and hot honey. This place has a lot of good choices.
Regents Pizzeria (34 votes)
This is the place to go if you’re a fan of Chicago deep dish pizza, because they do some high quality deep dish pizza here. Their New York style pizzas are good too, though. They’ve got quite a selection of beers here, so you can always find a good beer/pizza pairing. The garlic Parmesan wings make for a great side dish.
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto (34 votes)
This one is not just a pizza shop but a full-fledged Italian restaurant, one focusing on dishes that are popular in America. However, it’s the pizza that makes this place special. For one thing, it’s heavy on the cheese. The crust is just thick enough to strike the perfect balance of crispy and chewy. The portions are big, the cost is low, and the red sauce pasta dishes are also great.
TNT Pizza (30 votes)
TNT Pizza makes some high quality pizzas with some truly interesting and unusual choices. The pickle pizza is very popular. The Bellucci jalapeno and mushroom pizza is incredible. TNT Pizza also offers good Detroit style pizzas, and not a lot of pizza shops offer even mediocre pizzas in that style. Both gluten-free and vegan options are available.
Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria (27 votes)
This place does deep dish Chicago pizzas really, really well. It’s cooked to perfection and comes with a generous portion of cheese. Lefty’s has also got a wide variety of traditional Chicago street foods, including a surprising number of different kinds of fries. It’s got some nice vegetarian options and the salads are quite tasty.
URBN Pizza (26 votes)
They have a nice selection of coal-fired pizzas here, and it seems like everything on the menu is done well. The Polpetta con Provolone has an intriguing combination of provolone, ricotta, and parmesan cheeses along with meatballs. The Chicken Alfredo pizza has a really nice garlic sauce. The pizza crusts are thin and crispy. The cocktail bar is pretty nice, too.
