In honor of National Pizza Day (a holiday that needs to lobby for a timeline more like Hanukkah’s—why just the one day?) we’ve rounded up our a few of our favorite pies and slices. New openings, new iterations, new toppings—we just really wanted to talk about pizza we like.
Officine Buona Forchetta
Last year this South Park favorite branched out from its main location to a spacious spot in Liberty Station where one table is—for real—inside a tomato-red Fiat convertible. We love their compelling pork chops, estimable arancini, and surprisingly delicious desserts. But it’s the pies, like the Sergio, a Buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto showstopper, that keep patrons coming back.
Bell Marker
Named for the mission bells marking El Camino Real, this downtown pizzeria and brewery opened last month with menu direction from Trevor Faris. In a refined ambiance that houses a 15-barrel brewhouse, the Bell Marker serves classic pieces like cheese and pepperoni alongside creative additions such as a winter squash pizza featuring fresh cream, red wax gouda, and pomegranate molasses. Vegans take note: The Bell Marker serves Impossible meat on pizzas, burger buns, and cassoulet.
The Friendly
An evolution of the wood-fired pizza trucks Caliano and Spinelli, The Friendly opened early this year in North Park. Its appeal is New York-style ‘za by the slice and the pie served in an unpretentious atmosphere. The Friendly has already begun collaborating with local chefs and brewmasters for sporadic mash-up specials.
Tribute Pizza
Though Tribute has been pleasing pizza aficionados by way of pop-ups since 2013, it has only had its own digs, in the old North Park Post Office complex, since the fall of 2015. Even newer is the addition of meatless, cheese-free pies that have vegans and non-vegans alike salivating. These tomato sauce-and-veggie only pies come with toppings like purple sweet potato puree, making one of the prettier pies anywhere.
Napizza
Last spring Encinitas became home to the fourth location of this fast-casual pizzeria and its Roman-style—aka rectangular—pie. The ovens, yeast, and flour are shipped from, you guessed it, Roma! Bonus: Open until 2 a.m.
Officine Buona Forchetta’s “Sergio” pizza with mozzarella di bufala, prosciutto, baby arugula, and shaved Parmesan. | Photo: Justin McChesney-Wachs