The 16 Essential Pizzerias in Orange County
"Nestled deep into Dana Point, this collaboration from award-winning chef Chris Decker — plus operators John Arena, Donna Baldwin, and partner Steve Muller — feels like an Avengers-style pizza creation. With airy, long-fermentation dough used in its round and square pizzas, the toppings are the star here. Decker and his on-the-ground chef, Sergio Balderas, craft well-browned pies covered with thin pepperoni cups, creamy stracciatella, and roasted vegetables. The result is something pretty far from authentic Italian, but also very familiar to Californians used to big, saucy, well-topped pies that don’t fold over like soaked cardboard. They’re served in an almost fully outdoor space that captures the ocean breeze just a few blocks away, though there’s also an enclosed dining room upstairs since the weather can get chilly. With plenty of experience building multiple units, it’s only a matter of time before Truly moves northward into more populated parts of Orange County and even Los Angeles. — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Cathy Park
