Pauly’s Pizza Joint

After posting my review I received a very nice email from Paul himself letting me know about the closure and that he was currently looking for a new location. How can you not love a place with such a dedicated owner. I will be there cash in hand when the new location opens :)
4 starts just cuz I haven’t actually consumed the pizza yet
Thanks Paul!

I tried to order a pizza the other day and got Pauly on his cell phone. He told me that the old place is NOT HIS anymore and doesn’t associate with it. He is looking for a new location and I can’t wait. Until then I will be holding out, Pauly’s is the best-​turkey sandwiches for me in the meantime!!!

WHOA! Pauly’s is AMAZING! Pauly’s is like winning the pizza lottery and I’ll tell you why.
A. Pauly’s is located in the most awesome convenience store ever. And I thought Ding Dongs were great. You should SEE some of the junk food they have here. Impressive! I digress.
B. They deliver pretty much anywhere. Pauly’s is located right next to City College. I live in Banker’s Hill. Close, but not that close. Pauly’s delivered with no problem AND delivery was fast. 40 minutes on a Saturday night. RIDICULOUS!
C. The employees are super nice. I’d probably be a horrible, hateful person if I had to serve pizza in a convenience store but that’s only because I am a horrible, hateful person. We rolled in and ordered two specialty pizzas on election night so of course, we expected a wait and that was totally fine. But it wasn’t good enough for Pauly’s. No, they got right on our order AND gave us free sodas for waiting. Who are these pizza saints?
D. And of course, the pizza itself. It’s quite possibly the best I’ve ever had. Thin, crispy crust, just the right amount of cheese, tons of creative toppings and the pies are HUGE. Everything that’s good about a pizza is perfected by Pauly’s.

I had heard about this place but was slightly skeptical about it being in a mini mart.
Since I live downtown, I tried to give delivery a shot. Unfortunately, delivery took a LONG time but the actual owner drove to deliver the pizza himself and apologized. i was not too happy about the ultra late delivery but the fact that the owner personally apologized (apparently short of drivers) negated my displeasure. Most pizza places could care less about delivery being late! Pauly apologized profusely and even added an extra slice of cheesesteak.
Now to the pizza: EXCELLENT. I am an east coast guy and this is absolutely bar none, the BEST NY style pizza in San Diego! Forget about the location. Forget about anything else. You will love this pizza! With all due respect to Bongiorno’s in Solana Beach, Bronx Pizza in Hillcrest or any of the other decent pizza places in town… move over because Pauly’s has you beat in my opinion. I can’t figure out exactly what makes it better whether it’s the sauce, cheese, crust or all three but this guy makes a hell of a pizza. At this point, I only had cheese pizza but that was so good I can’t wait to try other kinds.
It should be a matter of time before he moves out of the «mini-​mart» and has a place of his own. I hope so anyway. Try this pizza!!!

This place is worth finding a parking place for. Or for that matter just take the Trolley to the City Collage stop, and you will be at there door step. It is a weird setting, but the pizza is the best I have ever had. The deals are great 2 pcs of pizza (lg slices) and a coke for $ 5 or A slice of pizza and a salad with a coke for $ 5. How can you beat that deal! He always has an assortment of ready done slices. If you order something off the menu, you may have to wait a bit as it is cooked fresh per order. Try his Calzone it is worth the wait! And again DO NOT let the setting scare you off!

Great pizza, but talk about a WEIRD ambiance! I’m not sure what I was expecting… but I sure as hell know I wasn’t expecting to enter a convenience store for a taste of Pauly’s.
The place is literally situated inside a mini-​mart. I’ve heard SO many great things about their pies, but I had never heard about the slightly questionable choice of location. Honestly, it’s a good thing we have a resource like Unilocal,because I highly doubt anyone would take a chance on NY style pizza from a place that resembles an AM/​PM. I thought for sure I was lost between a glorified liquor store and a trolley stop, but alas, I wasn’t.
Unorthodox digs aside, the pizza was fantastic. As good as any other I’ve tried in the city. They earn some extra brownie points for their creativity and willingness to take a chance in a growing area of the community.
The pizzas range from your standard pepperoni and sausage varieties to a flippin’ cheeseburger pizza! Yup, cheeseburger. AND, they have a smokin’ deal where you receive two slices of pie and a fountain drink (from the mini mart) for only $ 5. It’s hard to hate on that.
There really isn’t a comfy place to eat your pie inside the store, so I recommend taking some to go. There IS a little area next to the freezers that house Hagan Dazs ice cream bars and push-​up pops, but you’ll want to eat your food and bail ASAP.

The front of Pauly’s take-​out menu says, «PAULY’S PIZZA STATION ***** 5 star rating at Unilocal​.com». Balls-​out confidence.
I bought a slice of pepperoni. Tasty.
I also bought a slice of cheeseburger pizza. Is that just pizza with ground beef? No. It was dressed with ground beef, sliced pickle, sliced tomato, 1000 island dressing, American cheese, ketchup, mustard and (yes) french fries. (I don’t think it’s a standard menu item.)
Balls-​out confidence.
Five stars?
I’m not going to compare it to all the other good pizza parlors around town after just one visit, especially since I tried what essentially amounts to a novelty slice, but one visit does tell me Pauly makes a classic slice. Choices to go near this corner of downtown used to include Broadway Pizza which was nearly inedible, Burger King, and Taco Bell. Pauly’s may be served out of a convenience store, but there’s no comparison. Just because it’s in a convenience store doesn’t mean it’s not quality food. It just makes it surprising.

I haven’t tried the pizza but I did try the chicken parmesiana sandwich. While the wait was a little long I’ll come back and try a slice or 2 of pie. The lack of available parking sucks and there really isn’t a place to sit to eat but the pizza does look good and I’m willing to try it.

Good stuff, here! I’ve now had three pizzas from Pauly’s and I’m totally on board. The dude makes a very good tasting pie — flavorful sauce, (mildly)smoky-tasting cheese, and thin crust (without being too thin – as in soggy in the middle). The quality of toppings seriously make the grade, too, if you really like to pile’em on. Overall, you’re in good hands and it’s nice to have another strong pizza option in the ‘hood besides Luigi’s.
Actually, it’s better than Luigi’s. Actually it’s better than any pie in town not named Lefty’s. High friggin’ praise, I’d say. Go get yourself some – and tell Pauly I sent ya. He doesn’t know who the hell I am, but tell’em I sent ya anyway.

I saw all the positive reviews and knew I wasn’t going to make it past the City College trolley stop again without coming in to try their pizza.
They had just pulled a pepperoni/​sausage out of the oven so I got a slice of that along with a pepperoni/​mushroom/​ricotta. The guy who helped me was impressed that I knew it was ricotta — I told him I was a NY pizza pro. Well, I am! Okay, they are too.
There are two small tables you can sit at so I went over there and sat down amongst some people who were having a heated discussion about our economy. Amusing. But not enough to distract me from enjoying my awesome pizza. I dug into the pepperoni/​sausage first — a few bites to get it so that it folds over (a habit I picked up in NY — seems like New Yorkers fold their pizza as they are walking down the street). The crust was perfectly thin and the sauce was good. Generous portions of toppings as well. My second slice was even better — I love pizza with ricotta on it.
I gotta try more varieties before I give up five stars, but for now, I’m saying to believe the hype and give Pauly’s a try.

Yes, yes, and yes.
This place does pizza right. Everything from whole pies, pizza by the slice, calzones, strombolis, italian heros, and even baked pastas.
Located inside the trolley station convenience store by City College in Downtown, Pauly’s has quickly become my pizza destination of choice. Just ask Pauly-​i was there five times last week just trying out the various pies and chatting with the staff. This pizza mecca is perfect for hungry college students or people just waiting to catch the trolley back home.
Pauly, an East coast guy with a West coast love, knows how to make a dynamite pie. Immediately after his business venture with Luigi (a former Bronx Pizza man) at Coney Island in Poway, Pauly packed up his pizza racks and headed downtown to make a name for himself early this year. With business already seeing an increase in numbers, word-​of-​mouth has been the best advertising for the Pizza Station.
It has been featured in San Diego’s City Beat, the Reader’s Tin Fork by Ed Bedford, and soon the City Times by yours truly. Additionally, residents of the high-​rise above Pauly’s has has generated a lot of talk, here, on Unilocal.
He’s there everyday, 24/​7, manning the ovens and slinging dough. For Pauly, this isn’t simply making a living, but art expressed through food. Fresh ingredients are stocked each day before the doors open and he has trained his staff to all work together, seemingly in unison.
Sure, Pauly makes traditional cheese and pepperoni pies, but why not try the Italian Flag: spinach, ricotta, and red peppers. Or the Mikey Show: pepperoni, sausage, bacon, jalepeño, and garlic. Or the the TKO: sausage, pepperoni and bacon.
They even make a breakfast pizza with eggs and ham atop a light, airy crust and melty cheese. Tell me the doesn’t sound good?! Add some of the hot sauce for an extra kick to jump-​start your morning.
Whole pies go for around $ 18 and up, but you can but pizza by the slice, or a 2 slices and a beverage combo for $ 5. Seating is limited to two tables inside shared by the convenience store and about a half a dozen chairs.
If you’re a fan of Coney Island, or Bronx, or Bongiornos, I highly recommend that you give this place a shot. The guys behind the counter are awesome and always recognize a familiar face. And who knows, it just might become your favorite as well. Ciao!

Better than Bronx? Yup
Better than Sicilian Thing? Yup
Better than 98% of pizza in SD? Yup
Not better than the top 2%? What’s the top 2%?? I don’t know but Pauly’s is up there.
The best thin crust pie in SD. Not greasy, many different styles of pizza to choose from.
PLEASE come here for the 2 slices and soda for $ 5 and then order another slice because the slices behind the glass look so good.
PLEASE come here because Pauly is freakin nice and he deserves your business.
PLEASE come here because it’s a shame that the location is not the best and I fear he may close. Or maybe he can move closer to me in Little Italy and open up a shop. =)

This place takes me back man. The early 90’s. Leaving the bars in NYC and heading for the last train on the LIRR at Penn Station. There, you would sometimes find a pizza place open late for the drunkards like me.
This City College trolley stop has almost the same feel, as does this pizza. Is it the best… maybe. Same greasy pie, but the crust tastes better than the popular thin slice joints. I believe the secret ingredient is Semolina.

I am not a pizza connoisseur or anything, but this is the best tasting pizza I’ve had in my whole life. I was waiting for the trolley the other day, which I do pretty often at City College, and I started to feel a rumble in my tummy saying, «eat pizza». I’ve passed this place many times, but never thought to go in and try it, because it’s a part of a convenience market. What’s the deal with that? So I managed to scrape up $ 2.00 in coins for a slice of cheese pizza and not only was it the best slice of pizza I’ve ever had, but you get a huge slice.
They have so many different flavors to choose from, so today I went back and got the buffalo chicken pizza and oh my goodness, I have found a new addiction. It tasted like buffalo chicken strips, with bread sticks, and ranch sauce all mixed together. I’m totally going back and getting another couple of slices in a few minutes. Who would have thought?!
The downfall of this place is that it’s really tiny and there aren’t many places to sit. You either have to try and snatch up a table in the store or sit outside on one of the trolley benches. And that is not a favorable idea.

Wayyyyy better than Bronx Pizza in my opinion! By far the best thin crust pizza in San Diego! Great Price! And right in the heart of Downtown San Diego!
Right in the center of a trolley station. In the same building as a convenience store. I just simply love it. Grab a pizza, or a whole pie, and your favorite drink or dessert from the convenience store and youre good to go!
Definitely my new Pizza ADDICTION!
One bite, and pizza will NEVER taste the same again!

Definitely the best NY style pizza I’ve had! I’ve been here twice so far and have not been disappointed yet! Very good pizza’s indeed at a good price. The quality of his pizzas are very high. I would recommend trying his Spanaja Toi or any of his spinach slices. I added some pics of the Spinaja Toi check it out!
This place is a must!
Would I come back again? YES, and I’ll bring YOU!

Where do i start, i first heard about pauly’s on the mikey show on 105.3 when they did their best pizza search and pauly came in 3^rd (he got robbed). Since i live in Mira Mesa its not too far from downtown but i work at the airport so I’m right there i had to check it out for myself. I actually didn’t find the place at first since its inside the market but once i did i feel in love with the pizza.
Pauly is such a down to earth dude that it wasn’t hard to not like this place. If anyone loves pizza as much as i do then you have to do yourself a favor and try some pizza here. Pauly’s pizza is so much better than Bronx pizza.

Pauly has completely altered the lives of the CityBeat kids. We wait for Tuesdays to roll around, and dart out of our cubicles when his pies grace our little office.
Thanks for giving us something to look forward to, Pauly! Your pizza is nothing short of amazing.

OKAY SAN DIEGO… Pauly’s is here and I am sold. New York style and yummy. Local! Hidden Gold!
Here is the kicker for us– THEY DELIVER AND TAKE PLASTIC! Sorry Bronx. I spoke to Pauly on the phone and told him that we found his place because of Unilocal and wanted to try it. Both the kids loved it and so did we. Next time we are going to get something a bit more creative! Thanks Pauly and best of luck.
EDIT! So we ate one of his pies again. This time we went with his «specialty» pie. Ricotta, Spinach, and sweet red peppers. All I can say is I’M SOLD! Love Love Love that pie! The misses liked it too but felt the ricotta was just a touch too sweet for her taste. I loved it. I loved it! It was even delivered by Mr. Pauly himself. Nice guy who loves his «work» and takes pride in the product he is selling.
GO GO GO GO GO! If you are a New York style lover this is for YOU!

That I’ve lived above Pizza Station since its opening several months ago and only been there thrice is a testament to my incredible willpower and the fact that I most often stroll by in the morning before work, when the scents of soon-​to-​be-​pizza taunt me even before the pies are ready for consumption. It’s my favorite New York style pizza in San Diego — perfectly crisp crust, fresh and vibrant flavors, and not too greasy. Try the white pie with spinach, red peppers and ricotta — this is pizza heaven! For an unconventional twist, go with the buffalo chicken — spicy cayenne goodness on a delicious crisp pizza. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the slices, and Pauly is almost always there and happy to introduce you to the day’s flavors. Still a hidden gem, and definitely worth a try!