Best Pizza Places In Irvine
Pizza restaurants abound in almost every corner of Orange County. But finding a premium slice of pizza isn't necessarily a simple task. Through a very scientific process of dining on pizza (it's hard, but someone had to do it), polling the deep recesses of the internet, and scouring thought-provoking reviews, we put together this list of the best pizza in Irvine.
First Class Pizza
6420 Irvine Blvd.
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 552-5358
www.firstclasspizzawoodbury.com
First Class Pizza has been serving Orange County for over 30 years. Founders Jeff and Angie Sustacek make it a priority to use the best possible ingredients at all times, to make quality items from scratch daily, and to not weigh or ration out toppings, giving diners an excellent pizza made with care and smothered with everything you expect in a great pie. Build-your-own pizza topping options are available, with plenty of meat and veggies to create something unique, or you can enjoy one of their curated pies including the Ultimate Thin Crust, with pepperoni, a toasted layer of thin parmesan, fresh garlic, sliced pepperoncini and FCP seasoning; the Great White, with grilled chicken breast, alfredo sauce, mushrooms, fresh parmesan, and FCP seasoning; or the Popeye's Favorite, aptly topped with spinach, broccoli, artichoke hearts, olive oil, parmesan, and garlic. Consider finishing your meal with a delicious dessert pizza as well!
CUCINA enoteca
532 Spectrum Center Dr
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 861-2222
www.urbankitchengroup.com
Executive chef Joe Magnanelli takes the reigns at Irvine's CUCINA enoteca with California-inspired Italian classics prepared with locally sourced, organic and sustainable products, including an inventive pizza menu. Made with Neapolitan-style crust, eight signature pizzas are offered on the lunch and dinner menu including the Fig + Prosciutto Pizza with burrata, basil, and saba; the Mushroom Pizza with goat cheese, fried onion, and truffle oil; and the Pancetta + Brussels Sprout Pizza with fontina, red onion, garlic, and Calabrian chili (pictured). Orange County residents can also find CUCINA enoteca's pizza at their Newport Beach location.
Pieology
713 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 450-1000
www.pieology.com
Quick service, custom artisan options, great value, and unlimited toppings are just part of the reason for Pieology's success, not to mention the delicious tasting pizza served up daily to hundreds of hungry guests. Each pie, created by diners from the assortment of artisan toppings including typical toppings as well as Kalamata Olives, Spinach, Gorgonzola, Feta, Fresh Basil, and Banana Peppers, or chosen from the recommended creations from the company's very own Pieologist's Favorites, is perfected in the open flame oven in just under five minutes. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.
In addition to the Spectrum location (near Macy's), Pieology also operates another Irvine location at the Irvine Marketplace on Jamboree in addition to numerous Orange County spots.
Mod Pizza
3965 Alton Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 265-7770
www.modpizza.com
Seattle-based Mod Pizza, boasting the tagline, "simple food for complex times," features pies baked in their 800 degree, gas-fired oven, cooked up in just three short minutes. Ten specialty-themed pizzas are available for purchase including the Dillon James, made with mozzarella, asiago, fresh chopped basil, garlic, sliced tomatoes, and MOD red sauce; the Lucy Sunshine, with mozzarella, parmesan, artichokes, garlic, and dollops of MOD red sauce; and the Calexico, with mozzarella, gorgonzola, chicken, spicy jalapeños, hot buffalo sauce, and MOD red sauce. MODifications to all of the specialty pies are encouraged if you are feeling either picky or adventurous; their creative guarantee allows a free do-over if you hate the taste of your creation.
Mod operates three OC locations, with the Irvine restaurant located on Alton in the Westpark Plaza Shopping Center.
Blaze Pizza
4255 Campus Dr.
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 725-0012
www.blazepizza.com
A dedicated pizzasmith works with the "blazing" hot oven at Blaze Pizza to create perfectly crisp, thin-crust pizza in just 180 seconds. With a focus on fresh, made-from-scratch artisan ingredients, Blaze offers a quick meal for just about everyone. Pre-designed artisan choices include the Meat Eater; Art Lover (artichokes, mozzarella, ricotta, chopped garlic, red sauce dollops); Green Stripe (pesto drizzle over grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, chopped garlic, mozzarella, and arugula); White Top; and BBQ CHKN. Build-your-own options include all the great toppings and a diverse variety of sauces.
Eight Blaze Pizza locations currently operate throughout Orange County.