Best Pizza In Orange County
April 12, 2019
Like most cities, Orange County has no shortage of pizza. With a different pizza place on what seems like every corner, how do you know which places are good, and which places are really worth going to? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of 11 of the best pizza places in Orange County, CA:
Johnny’s Saloon & Pizzeria
This not-so-secret local favorite sells pie out of their secret kitchen in Huntington Beach (pizza kitchen location is different from the saloon). All of Johnny’s pizza is made from scratch and can be ordered in 12″ or 18″ sizes. They have a menu online packed with classic and specialty pizzas with quirky names like Whiskey Bent & Garlic Bound, Be A Lot Cooler If You Did, and Hollaback. Orders can be placed via text (714-501- 5149) and picked up at the mystery door located at 19478 Beach Boulevard (corner of Beach & Yorktown). Look for the unassuming white door with black windows and no sign and that’s where you’ll find your pizza. Open 5PM – 11:00PM daily, or until sold out — Johnny’s Pizza is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
First Class Pizza
Where do you find the best pizza in Villa Park or Orange? Look no further than First Class Pizza where they have been slinging pies for over 40 years, offering up piping hot pizza, piled with freshly prepared toppings and house-made sauce. Create your own combination or choose from one of the house specials. Try the Zesty Italian, topped with fresh Italian sausage, mushrooms, wax peppers, fresh garlic, olive oil, FCP seasonings, mozzarella, and red sauce, or the Chicken Delight with grilled chicken breast, artichoke hearts, fresh parmesan, olive oil, FCP seasonings, mozzarella, and red sauce. The award-winning pizza place has won many titles, including that of “Best Pizza in OC.” 17853 Santiago Blvd, #101, Villa Park, CA 92861 or 4420 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92869 or many other locations throughout Orange County.
Buccaneer Pizza
Buccaneer Pizza has the best pizza in Santa Ana where they serve thick crusted, hand tossed pizza with a variety of classics and house specialties. For those who love heat, try Fire In The Hole, topped with pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, wax peppers, jalapeños, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. For a spin on the Hawaiian pizza, try the O’hao I’wana Kikkichiki, topped with chicken, bacon pieces, pineapple, red onion, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and bbq sauce. Buccaneer Pizza also offers a rotating selection of Craft Beers to pair with your perfect pizza pie. 2757 N. Grand Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana
Angelina’s Pizzeria in Irvine offers authentic Verace Pizza Napoletana. Their handcrafted pizzas are topped with imported San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese from Napoli, and locally sourced produce for pizza perfection. They offer a selection of red and white pizza. Try the Pere E Noci with gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, pear, mozzarella di bufala, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil if you prefer white, or the Capricciosa topped with artichokes, gaeta olives, mushrooms, baked ham, mozzarella di bufala, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil if you prefer the traditional red pizza. 8573 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
The Bowery
The Bowery in Fullerton serves up some of the best pizzas in town with an impressive lineup of craft beers. If you love the classics, you’ll find it here, plus a tempting list of specialty pies. Give the Taco Pizza a try on Taco Tuesday – topped with salsa, cheddar cheese, southwest ground sirloin, pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, and taco flavored Doritos. The Tipsy Pig is topped with Sweet bourbon glaze, bowery blend, honey cured ham, applewood smoked bacon, fresh herbs and chicharrón. The Bowery serves the largest pizza in Fullerton, coming in at 22 inches and cauliflower dough is available. 112 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Il Dolce Pizzeria
Il Dolce Pizzeria in Costa Mesa serves old-school wood-fired Naples-style pizzas with fresh ingredients and unique combinations. Your pizzas arrive at the table with a large knife to cut your own slices. Choose from delicious and diverse selection of house specialties like the Funghi, with a mix of wild mushrooms, pesto sauce, fontina, mozzarella, caramelized onions and fennel, and finished with truffle oil or the Patata, topped with sliced fingerling potatoes, chili oil, mozzarella, gruyere, pancetta, fresh rosemary, fresh chives, and olive oil. Signature Margherita pizzas are only $10 each every Tuesday.1902 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Massimo’s Pizza
Massimo’s Pizza in Huntington Beach has been a local favorite since the 1970s. Their pizza is consistent, and they receive shining reviews from those who visit, plus Massimo’s has been nominated for the OC Hot List for Best pizza and were selected as one of the top three pizza places by Three Best Rated® – 2019. Start with fresh made dough and homemade sauce, with Wisconsin Mozzarella and build your own piping hot pizza, or choose from one of the house recipes like the Pastrami Pizza topped with sliced pastrami, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, pickles, and mustard, or the Chicken Alfredo Pizza topped with homemade Alfredo sauce as a base, chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, and fresh sliced mushrooms.
22311 Brookhurst St., #103, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Foretti’s Pirozzi Corona del Mar
Foretti’s Pirozzi, named for Chef Alessandro Pirozzi, is Newport Beach’s only certified traditional Napoletana style pizza, wood fired at 900 degrees with 100% olive wood. The rustic and original collection of specialty pizzas are mouth-watering and instagram-worthy. Try the Salsiccia, with housemade wild boar sausage, sauteed wild mushrooms, and marchego and mozzarella cheeses, or the Pizza Di Mare with marinated fresh garlic, Calabria oil, braised octopus, tiger shrimp, yellow and red grape tomatoes, and arugula. 2929 East Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Pizzeria Mozza
Pizzeria Mozza in Newport Beach is run by chef Nancy Silverton, who creates inspiring pies using sustainable and seasonal ingredients in a fine Italian style with a nod to California Cuisine. In addition to the regular menu, Chef Silverton prepares seasonal surprises with fresh, local ingredients. Try the bacon, salame, fennel sausage, guanciale, tomato and mozzarella, or the ‘Nduja with Fresno Chiles, smoked scamorza and tomato. 800 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store
Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store in Newport Beach serves up New York-style handmade pizza topped with fresh local ingredients, made with love and a California twist. The Beatle-themed pizza joint pays offers a selection of their own unique and flavorful recipes, or you can build your own. Try the Hawaii Five-O with pepperoni, pineapple, ricotta, garlic, and jalapeno, or the house special, Grandma’s Pie – a New York style square pie with mozzarella, marinara, and fresh basil. Head in on Sundays to try the Yolko Ono, with eggs, bacon, and breakfast potatoes. Other must-try items here are the Great Balls of Fire and the Pinwheels. Sgt. Pepperoni’s won the 2017 Golden Foodie Award for Best Lunch. 2300 SE Bristol St. #F, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Additional locations: 26601 Aliso Creek Rd, Aliso Viejo and 4533 Campus Drive, Irvine
TJ’s Woodfire Pizza
TJ’s Woodfire Pizza in San Clemente started out as a popular food truck and went on to be named #1 Pizza in Orange County by the OC Register. TJ’s serves pies in varying fashion including Neapolitan, New York, Sicilian, and Cracker Thin. Try the Pig and Egg with tomato sauce, red pepper flakes, Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella, guanciale, egg, and pecorino romano, or the West Coast with New York tomato sauce, red onion, mushroom, jalapeño, and mozzarella. 641 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, CA 92673
Unnecessary Things to Know about Pizza
- Be on the lookout for deals on National Pizza Day, Week, or Month none of which happen concurrently.
- National Pizza Day is celebrated on February 9.
- National Pizza Week is observed for 7 days starting the second Sunday in January.
- National Pizza Month is celebrated in October.
- The most controversial of all pizzas, the Hawaiian pizza, was actually invented in Canada by a native of Greece.
- Delivery sales of pizza are the highest close to Super Bowl games and New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Eve and Halloween are very busy too.
- Saturday night is the most popular night to eat pizza.
- Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Papa John’s and Papa Murphy’s are the top pizza chains by sales.
- MOD pizza, Pizza Rev, Pie Five Pizza Co., Pieology Pizzeria and Blaze Pizza are the fastest growing.
- Most pizza owners go into the business because they want to make dough.