San Diego’s Best Pizza: Angry Petes Pizza
Detroit-style pizza has become one of my favorites in recent years. However, it is hard to find this pizza in San Diego. In 2019, we discovered Peter Harbison and his pop-up stand Angry Petes Pizza. Harbison is from Michigan and he definitely serves a great pizza. As it expands, Angry Petes Pizza will be one to watch.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2022: Angry Pete’s Pizza can now be found in several locations throughout San Diego. This includes Desi’s Bar in Point Loma, Little Miss Brewing in Lakeside and Poway, and JP’s Pub in Tierrasanta. The list changes frequently and availability is limited. The best way to keep up is via Angry Pete’s Facebook.
Currently, Angry Petes Pizza is available for catering and at pop-up events around town. I first visited Pete when he was setup outside the Kensington Brewing Company. He had a menu offering 4 different slices at $5 each (or 4 for $17). There was also a special to get a slice and a beer at Kensington for $10. Detroit pizza is pretty filling so one slice is usually enough for me.
You simply placed your order at the bar and Pete would personally bring you the pizza when it was done.
Website: https://angrypetespizza.wixsite.com/home
The slices were definitely innovative. There was a Ragin’ Cajun with a Tabasco infused sauce, andouille sausage, veggies and a multi-cheese blend. Peter’s Pickled Pepper featured 5 types of peppers, the Tabasco infused sauce and cheese blend. The BBQ Pulled Pork had a BBQ sauce, pulled pork, cherry peppers and pepper jack cheese. The BBQ sauce featured Faygo Rock N Rye. Faygo is a popular Michigan soda brand.
I kept things simple with the Double Pepperoni. This included two types of pepperoni and Wisconsin brick cheese. Wisconsin brick cheese is hard to find in San Diego but considered a key ingredient in Detroit pizza.
We discovered Detroit pizza in North Carolina of all places. I liked it so much I decided to buy the equipment to make my own. You can read about that experience here.
In San Diego the only place we have found that serves Detroit-style pizza is Square Pizza Co, one of our favorites. Angry Petes Pizza takes a more upscale twist on this pizza with slightly exotic ingredients. We plan to go back and try some of the unique slices. They seem to change regularly. For example, I noted that for the Chula Vista Lemon Festival Peter created a unique lemon infused pizza.
Peter Harbison himself is not an angry guy. He named his place Angry Petes Pizza because he was angry he could not find his favorite home style pizza in San Diego. Right now Angry Petes Pizza is fairly elusive, popping up at events around San Diego. Hopefully Pete will land a full-time home for Angry Petes Pizza.
To find where Angry Petes Pizza will be check their website or follow them on Instagram:
Website: https://angrypetespizza.wixsite.com/home
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angrypetespizza/
Despite not having actually tried Detroit pizza in its home town, I still say it is one of my favorite pizza styles. Fun Diego Family is on a search for the best pizza in San Diego. Detroit-style pizza falls in the top thick-crust/deep dish style category. Considering the owner of Square Pizza Co. is from Boston I can say Angry Petes Pizza is the first Michigan native I have seen bring this pizza to San Diego. We look forward to seeing him expand.
To see more of our contenders for best pizza go here.
