Buona Forchetta

Score 92/100 · Order: Margherita or Stefano · $16–24

Neapolitan pies from a Naples-raised pizzaiolo. The Stefano — bufala, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil — is the San Diego Neapolitan benchmark.

Score 90/100 · Order: Margherita from the wood oven · $$

Buona Forchetta's imported wood oven turns out blistered, soft-centered Neapolitan pies in 90 seconds, and the South Park original still does it best. It is loud, crowded with families, and genuinely fun — the closest thing San Diego has to a neighborhood pizzeria institution.

Local tip: The South Park patio is first-come; put your name in and walk the neighborhood while you wait.