Pizzeria Luigi

Ah, pizza. An American staple, which like so other many American staples we have just stolen and claimed as our own. There's no shortage of amazing pizza joints in San Diego, and something to tantalize the tastebuds of everyone, whether your dig be New York, Sicilian, Chicago, or whatever style you crave.

However, if your loyalties lie in the New York style pizza arena, then Pizzeria Luigi in Golden Hill is a sure bet. This cash-only joint on the corner of 25th and B offers some of the best pizza in the city. Not only do they have a solid menu with fresh ingredients, they also offer vegan and vegetarian options that can be made to order (like any of their pies) if they aren't already made. If pizza's not your bag... then you are no friend of mine, but they do also offer calzones, stromboli, pasta, and salads.

I was pleased to see that they make their strombolis the RIGHT way, which seems to be non-existent in the majority of pizza places nowadays! When I order a stromboli, I don't want the exact clone of a calzone, just with different cheese. I was a rolled, baked, and sliced crisp crust with the innards spilling out like a cannibalistic zombie cheese holocaust. Not that there's anything wrong with the doughy pocket of nuclear cheese from calzones, it's just NOT THE SAME THING, AND I COMMEND PIZZERIA LUIGI FOR KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE!

Our dining partners for the day were Mike and Mandie, a vegan and vegetarian who recommended it as a great place for vegans and carnivores alike. Since there weren't any of their vegan selections already prepared, they gladly offered to toss one up for him fresh, which is pretty awesome of them. Mandie seems pleased with her cheese slices.



For $5.50, you can get any 2 slices and a drink, which is a great deal for this caliber of pizza. They also deliver nearby and have outdoor dining, which is a super-duper plus for Southern California weather. Nothing is better than cracking open a cold beer (available here!) and chowing on some great pizza while enjoying the weather in a fantastic neighborhood. The crust was very crispy but not thin, and the atmosphere was casual but serious. All pizzas are made in front of you and there's a great variety of ingredients available- including artichokes, which I LOVE on pizza!

Here's a sampling of some of the treats we encountered on our quest.




Their case is constantly being rotated with fresh pies for individual slices, and whole pies to order. Fast service, good prices, booze available, great atmosphere, and most important- great food. Absolutely worth a repeat visit.




Mike demonstrating how full he is and also how angry he is that there is NO MORE PIZZA TODAY.