Ellie's Wood Fired Pizza — Restaurant in San Diego

Visiting California for the first time and as a CT Pizza Snob the first thing I do in a new place is look up recommended pizza spots. Ellie’s was a block from my AirBnb and had a 5/5 review. So I said to my girl, “this is the spot we need to check out”, and we headed up. The hours are crazy limited for good reason but we got there at open and chose the outdoor seating. The decor was really neat 70’s style and the wood oven was in the back yard on a trailer. I sat at a picnic table and watched Doug, the owner, carefully crafting orders. As I watched him all I could think was “this man is an artist.” He inspected EVERY pizza that came out. When ours were finally cooked and brought over, he stopped and chatted with us for a bit. Doug shared with us his deep passion for pizza and explained how he and his wife just started the shop and take time on the weekend to bake pies for the local homeless population.

Great story, great vibe, great people…and then there’s the pizza.

Absolute GAS. As good a wood fired pizza as I’ve had anywhere, and I’ve had a lot. I couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning and heat up my leftovers.

If you are in San Diego and don’t grab a pizza from Ellie’s,...

5/5 stars!

"I'm absolutely loving Ellie's Woodfire Pizza! From the moment you step inside, you're treated like family - the owners' warmth and hospitality are genuine. The menu is a work of art, with pies crafted from the freshest ingredients and a sauce that's simply phenomenal. We can't get enough of the Mishka's Margherita and Django's Pepperoni Sausage with Jalapeños, but honestly, every pie is a winner. The real showstopper is their custom Neapolitan Brick Monster Oven, fired by the finest White Oak - it's a meat smoker's dream come true! The interior decor is on point, and the 3-4 chords of Oak on the back patio are a nice touch. We've made it a habit to stop by for 2-3 pies whenever we're in San Diego. Don't sleep on this place - grab a friend, family, or neighbor and get ready for an unforgettable pizza experience! My daughter absolutely loves their pizza, and in my opinion, this comes 1st on my list - next to...

Elli’s Wood Fire Pizza is the kind of place that makes you believe in good pizza again. Tucked away in OB, it strikes that perfect balance between laid-back beach vibes and serious attention to quality. The crust? Charred just right—crispy on the outside, soft and airy inside. You can tell it’s been kissed by a real wood fire oven, not some imitation.

The ingredients are fresh, thoughtfully chosen, and layered in a way that actually respects the craft. Whether you go for a classic Margherita or one of their more adventurous specials, you can taste the love that goes into it.

The staff are chill but sharp—quick to help, happy to talk shop, and clearly proud of what they’re serving. It’s the kind of spot where locals bring friends from out of town to show them what real SoCal pizza tastes like.

Bonus points: it’s the perfect end to a beach day. Grab a slice, sit outside, and watch the sun set....