There are numerous restaurants serving palate-pleasing pizzas of every imaginable style and flavor in La Jolla. In honor of National Pizza Day, we highlight three places with different styles of pies, but all with one thing in common – they’re delicious.
SAMMY’S WOODFIRED PIZZA
“Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza (702 Pearl St.) made a name for itself when it opened in its first location in La Jolla in 1989 with the first woodfired oven in San Diego County,” said Amy Bulgatz, the restaurant’s president/CFO. “Since that day, all the pizzas are made with hand-made dough that is made daily and stretched to order. We make our tomato sauce in-house, and only use the freshest vegetables, high-quality cheeses, and all-natural meats. The unique combination of ingredients is what has kept people coming back for the last 34 years.”
Bulgatz added Sammy’s has recently started a competition that is held on National Pizza Day on Feb. 9, where members of the media compete to get their own pizza recipe on the menu, and proceeds go to the charity of their choice. “Heather Lake’s Hot Honey Pizza has been on all Sammy’s menus and is soon to be replaced with this year’s winner. Look out for that addition,” said Bulgatz.
PIAZZA 1909
Pies at Piazza 1909 (7731 Fay Ave.) are the handiwork of chef Stefano Ceresoli. “Stefano’s specialty has always been a bakery, since the time in Milan where he owned a bakery for many years,” said restaurant spokesperson Roberta Ruffini. “The love his big hands put in the dough definitely shows. Making pizza is an art and in Italy, there are several styles.”
Added Ruffini: “Being from North Italy, Stefano makes thin-crust pizza. But another delicious style popular for catering, and to make at home, is the ‘Pizza al Taglio’ baked in large rectangular trays, and sold in square slices at every Italian bakery. Stefano’s many years of experience and the use of high-quality ingredients, all imported from Italy, make Piazza 1909 pizza one of the best in San Diego. No secret, but un-bleached Caputo Flour from Naples, San Marzano Tomato Sauce, D.O.P. Mozzarella, and the dough left to rise for at least 18 hours are all responsible for the pizza’s quality and taste. Also, try his delicious gluten-free pizza made in-house.”
AMERICAN PIZZA MANUFACTURING
American Pizza Manufacturing, at 7402 La Jolla Blvd., is an original and dedicated take-n-bake pizza concept. APM’s mission is to get people around the dinner table more often by elevating the at-home dining experience with fresh, scratch-made pizzas, pastas, salads, desserts, and more, using locally sourced, artisanal ingredients that are designed to bake at home in mere minutes. Convenient homemade quality meals that require no prep, and little planning, and with big advantages over standard take-out options. APM is redefining the at-home pizza experience in La Jolla and beyond. Quality food for quality time. A host of specialty and customizable options with delivery, online, and app ordering are available. APM is also actively involved in local fundraising, distributing nearly $12,000 to various La Jolla schools and organizations via its Rising Dough events, since 2021.
