Sonny's Pizza in University Heights

When I moved back to San Diego, I lived in the University Heights neighborhood for about a year. It’s still one of my favorite hoods around. I don’t spend as much time there now as I used to, and a lot has changed there since 1999. A number of high-rise mixed used buildings have sprung up, changing the quaint skyline, and some of my favorite haunts have been replaced by soul-less brewpubs. So…I was happily surprised on a recent visit when I saw this neon sign just off Park Boulevard (the main drag) on Madison. When did Sonny's Pizza go in?!? It wasn’t long before I checked it out for myself.



According to my sources, it is part of the Consortium Holdings collection (the group that renovated/runs the Lafayette Hotel). From the attention to detail and interesting art featured there, it doesn’t surprise me. Notice the TVs in the window, all playing vintage movies. The TVs are marked “Sonnys” instead of “Sony.” Brilliant.



While less than a year old, when you walk inside, the place feels as if it’s been in the neighborhood for decades. The design and decor are spot-on for an east coast pizza joint. Not a restaurant…a joint.



LOVE the high ceilings.



A bright orange pizza oven dominates the interior, along with the cool Swiss-chalet styled staircase up to the second level.



Unlike most of the Consortium Holdings ventures, this place has food that is worth going back for. Typically, their restaurants are high on the Instagram factor, but “meh” on the food offerings. The Pepp (as in Pepperoni) Rolls are a fave of mine.



The pizzas are good, but they also have other fare that I really enjoy, like the Tagliatelle Bolognese:



…and the Chicken Francese, a pan-fried cutlet in lemon-butter sauce.



Besides indoor dining, there is a vibrant outdoor patio:



 Reservations are suggested, even for a joint - especially on the weekends. My one caveat to this place would be the service - the staff is fairly friendly, but don’t go expecting the staff to go overboard for you. When you are seated, using the QR code on the table to order for yourself is suggested vs. ordering from the wait staff. Food is not brought out at the right time either; typically entrées arrive much earlier than the appetizer. The wait staff is hip, young, and don’t seem to really be concerned by what they SHOULD be doing. And yet…at this place it doesn’t bother me. It goes along with the east coast vibe. I highly recommend it!

See more University Heights neighborhood photos at my main website.