New York City lays claim to the best pizza in the world, but San Diego is a surprisingly good place to find a great slice. Everyone has their favorite spots, but when I'm in the mood for pizza, my go-to is usually Pizzeria Luigi on the corner of 25th and B in Golden Hill.
If you're in the mood for a straight pepperoni or cheese pie, they execute the classics well, but aren't afraid to bring a San Diego sensibility to their topping combinations. Fun options include the "Sports Bar," essentially a potato skins pizza with spuds, bacon, cheddar, sour cream and green onion. Daredevils go straight for "El Diablo," the spicy pie Guy Fieri featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, mixing pepperoni, sausage, and meatball, with red onion, jalapeno, crushed red pepper, and sriracha.
My favorite, though, is the "Crime Scene." Instead of the usual layer of sauce underneath the melted cheese, it comes in splashes on top, along with dollops of ricotta cheese and sliced meatballs.
I have a pet theory when it comes to pizza. You know how hard it is to resist fresh bread when it comes out of the oven and the put the basket on your table at a restaurant? Well, pizza is the one dish where your entire meal comes on top of piping hot, freshly baked dough. I never understand people who leave the outer edge of crust behind due to a lack of toppings. It's still fresh, hot bread. Pizzeria Luigi, as you've probably guessed, has one of the best crusts in town -- thin, airy, and just the right amount of chew.
If you go in by yourself, as I often do while working, they have a large selection of pies-by-the-slice, although occasionally the busy cashier will leave in the warming oven too long and you end up with more of a cracker than a crust. Even then, it's still a top-notch pizza experience.
Pizzeria Luigi also has craft beers on tap, as well as a few pasta dishes and salads -- but as a strictly amateur restaurant reviewer, I'm just there for the pizza.