MOM'S Pizza & Pasta — Restaurant in San Diego

Allow me to elaborate... The reason for the one star is because we did not like the food. We ordered a large pie with mushrooms and garlic. I couldn't even smell the garlic and really had to look the pie over to find any. The mushrooms were there, but not as many as I expected. The pizza overall was doughy and super bland. The size was the only good thing about the pizza, but after tasting it I didn't want the leftovers.

I also ordered buffalo chicken wings and when I was asked if it is ok that there are bones in it, I replied absolutely that's fine. When we opened our order we found that we were given boneless wings, which are not what we asked for. Tasted ok for buffalo, but the chicken tasted like over-battered, frozen chicken.

The last part of our order was a chicken parm sub. I opened it to put some extra grated cheese and discovered one pathetic little cutlet cut into four pieces was the makeup of my meal. This is the smallest chicken parm sub I've ever seen. It was also completely flat like someone put it through a panini press for some weird reason. Also, the bread was tasteless but the sauce was ok. Overall, I didn't care for it.

Lastly, I'd like to respond to what you posted.. I AM NOT "that guy." I did not have my pizza delivered outside the area, nor did I have anyone drive to me in heavy rain, and I certainly did not get a single call from your business. I came in, ordered, sat patiently, and carried the order out myself.

I came due to the high reviews and was hoping to find a decent pizza spot near me. I was hopeful, gave it a chance, paid double what I normally would pay for that order and left a 20% tip, but none of that added up to good food. I go to Yelp and Google to look at reviews in the hopes that they're honest and that I might have similar tastes to those that ordered and ate before me. The reviews seem skewed or quality in the last few weeks fell off a cliff.

Either way, I won't be back, I will not recommend and hopefully this will serve as an honest warning to others. This is not personal at all, just an honest review. Be careful what you wish for when you try to call out a customer. Not everyone will like your food, but some will I'm sure.. Good luck with future...

I have been to this restaurant twice now, and absolutely love Mom’s pizza. I always judge pizza against Bronx pizza in Hillcrest. It is, or was, my favorite pizza in San Diego County.

Well, looks like I don’t have a reason to drive across town for a NY style pie anymore. Yep, this place is that good; quite a hidden gem and within a quick drive of La Jolla, Carmel, Del Mar, etc.

The restaurant itself looks pleasant to dine-in, but time hasn’t given me the opportunity to enjoy the ambiance. (Warm lighting, romantic for a date and welcoming for family and friends alike.)

Here are my ratings and thoughts:

Cheese Pizza 5/5 the crust is thin, but substantial enough to hold the generous cheese and marinara and whatever toppings you want on the pies.

Meatball Bacon 5/5 if you choose to go with a meat heavy pizza, you will be quite happy with the meal; as my entire family loved the blend of flavors, size, and freshness of the ingredients over various trips.

Garlic knots 5/5 Among the best I've had, rivaling Regent's Garlic knots... so tasty, try them at least once!

Value (18” pie) 4/5 they have a decent special where you can order two topping 18 inch pizza for carry out, and that’s worth the trip. Overall, the prices are a bit high, but it’s impossible to argue that the food isn’t worth the price. It’s damn good stuff! They use high quality ingredients, so you are getting what you pay for.

Service 5/5 when I’ve called for takeout, the calls have been swift, and folks on the other side have been polite, well spoken and mannered. Upon picking up the food, workers are all smiles (even if a bit tired towards the end of shift). One lady greeted me and my daughter and her friendly demeanor, charm, and banter really made us smile and feel at home; that alone made me want to keep supporting this business.

Finally, the menu is extensive, you can order Calzones, Stromboli, Lasagna, Salads, a Meatball Sub, Chicken Wings and so much more! May have to try something new next time we visit, but if you go with just the pizza.. you will not be disappointed.

Overall 5/5

Job well done; Pizza and...

I grew up in a family where meals were made from scratch with real ingredients. Mom’s Pizza and Pasta offers the same fresh, authentic flavors with their home-style recipes. The attentive staff are kind and helpful. And the casual dining room feels homey and eclectic, including the mismatched plates reminiscent of Grandma’s kitchen.

My spouse and I decided to share a classic lasagna dish and custom pizza. We started with some soft, warm garlic knots topped with mounds of parmesan cheese, which reminded me of a pull-apart bread, and it was served with a side of the House Pomodoro sauce. Our entrees arrived at our table right after we finished the starter.

The lasagna is amazing. The lasagna layers quality pasta and cheese with a sauce that tastes fresh and balanced. Lasagna is my test dish at Italian restaurants, and very few are worth a second try. This one is my new favorite in San Diego.

We chose a simple pepperoni, mushroom, black olive and cheese pizza. The toppings were full of flavor, and the crust had just the right crispness that contrasted with the warm, gooey cheese. We brought home some of the pizza for the next day, but it didn’t even make it into our fridge. Other family members found it first and it disappeared.

The prices are very reasonable for such high-quality ingredients and preparation. There is a line of small tables along the windows outside if you prefer to sit outside, and they have a steady stream of take-out orders. If you can possibly save a little room, you might want to take home some of their classic cookies...