East Village’s TNT Pizza Is Expanding to Chula Vista and North Park | Eater San Diego
"I watched a pandemic pop-up blossom into a permanent East Village storefront in October 2021, and now TNT Pizza is opening a second location in Chula Vista, slated to replace Attitude Brewing Company on 3rd Avenue by spring or summer. Founded by Kevin Gist and his wife Jess—Gist a 20-plus-year veteran of local pizza spots like Pizzeria Luigi—and partner Joseph Ghafouri Wehrly (formerly of Surfrider Pizza), they bake Detroit-style pizzas with thick crusts topped with caramelized cheese and other inventive combinations. Their offerings span a fan-favorite one-inch-high Detroit pizza and thin New York-style slices (available by the slice or as whole pies) to a medium-thick grandma pan and an ultra-thin tavern style; nearly all pizzas can be ordered vegan with substitutes like housemade seitan pepperoni and dairy-free ranch and cheese. Standouts include the cheese pizza dubbed the Large Marge—with sliced and cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic, olive oil, and basil—and the Pickle Pie with house-made pickles, ranch, everything seasoning, fresh dill, and garlic. The larger Chula Vista space will allow menu expansion into items like deep-fried appetizers or sandwiches, and the room will echo the throwback pizza-parlor feel of the flagship with wood paneling, stained-glass light fixtures, “Denny’s-style” booths, and graphics and art by Mortis Studios. TNT (Thick’n Thin) is also planning to bring a woodfired pizza concept to a new collaborative outdoor garden on 30th Street in North Park from Jill Solomon (Cow by Bear) and Jessica O’Shea later this year." - Kelly Bone
