Carlsbad Brewery-pizza Port

This is my favorite pizza place in San Diego, and easily one of my top picks in the U.S. The seating consists of rows of picnic tables, so be ready for a bit of a search if you arrive during busy hours. You'll be using paper plates and plastic utensils, which you grab yourself. The pizza is delicious, the prices are reasonable, and the beer is fresh. Pizza Port brews their own beer, and they excel at it. This place truly makes going out for pizza an enjoyable experience.

Pizza-Port features benches instead of tables, creating a vibrant social atmosphere. The pizza is excellent, generously topped with a perfect balance of cheese and sauce, and the crust is just right. I’d describe it as "California" style pizza, combining Chicago-style toppings with a lighter crust, similar to New York. They also offer a great selection of craft beers. Although the pizza might take some time to prepare, you can easily strike up a conversation with others seated nearby, making it a great place to connect with fellow pizza lovers. The prices are reasonable, especially considering the portion sizes, and they even have salads on the menu.

Here's how it works: you enter and wait in line to place your pizza order. After that, you can search for a seat at one of the long communal tables or stand in a separate line to get a beer. They offer a variety of house-brewed beers that are exceptional, along with some guest selections. Because of the communal seating arrangement, the atmosphere is very social. It's quite likely you'll strike up a conversation with fellow pizza lovers at the table, which feels natural in such a lively environment. The pizza itself is substantial. The crust is thick yet delightfully soft and chewy. Our Lahaina pizza had a generous layer of cheese, and the toppings complemented it perfectly.