Caliano Pizza

I first met Mario, the owner, when he was selling pizza outside the brewery I worked at many, many years ago. Followed him as he helped open The Friendly up the block, and finally I'm stoked he's brought his talent to Chula Vista, my hometown. The burgers are my favorite, consistent and great, my wife and I always share a side of fires, and they're fresh and plenty for two to share. Crispy and juicy burgers with fresh vegetables and made how you ask. The chopped beef sandwich is super good, and the pizza is true to its NY style. All affordable, all legit.

Originally saw this place on instagram for their burgers - was definitely surprised to find out it was a pizza place! Had the cheeseburger + a beer, and then ended up ordering again; a deluxe cheeseburger and another beer. The burgers are smashed thin and develop a crispy skirt on the edges. They’re really savory, and the toppings either on the regular cheeseburger or deluxe compliment the patties well. Good selection of beer too, which pair perfectly with your burger. I’m 100% coming back for more burgers and the other sandwiches they offer. The guy working the cashier, as well as the cook made great recommendations, and were super friendly. I was also eyeing the pizza options and stuff they had cooked - it looked so good but I’ve only got so much space in my stomach. If you’re in the area, you have no excuse not to check this place out.

I already wrote a review and gave 15 photos, but Google is trippin. So here we go again. The chop cheese was smackin! I was super impressed with the chop cheese sandwich and the Philly cheese steak! My friend got the Philly and he loved it. The pizza also looked really good. This place also had a very good beer selection. They have a set up that looks like a direct draw, but I believe it was a long draw system. The beer was cold and affordable. The workers were friendly, and there is plenty of seating inside and out available. The menu is good, and the taste was on point!. I've visited 3x since and can't express how good the food is here. I'd like to call this place a hidden gem, but the cat is out the bag! Great pizza, burgers, sandwiches & beer!!!!

This place is amazing hidden gem pizzeria here near the Sunbow area in Chula Vista. Technically in the Bon Vivant neighborhood, but it's a local business with a local spirit and when you go you'll be sure to notice other locals crowiding the buisness. I went on a Tuesday at 1 PM and the place was poppin, not overcrowded but full of ambiance and business. I went for the more affordable and smaller of their offering (There full pies are probably great but 20$ and their size are way too much for lil old me to handle) The combo was economic and I liked that they had many pizza option slices to choose from. This time I chose the Jalapeño Pepperoni and Garlic Mushroom Ricotta pizza slices, and I was pleasantly surprised by how good the pizza was. They quickly popped my slices in the over, and served them up in a paper plate. I asked for togo for some reason, and they quickly covered it with a paper bag horizontally and sent me on my way. The drinks was a bit smaller than what I was anticipating, so I just opted to take a seat and enjoy the slices inside the buisness. Despite the realitivrky small size of the joint, they managed to fit lots of tables so finding a spot wasn't too much of an issue, and I was able to leave my food and go to the bathroom quickly without any hastle. It's a regular bathroom and the whole shop feels very no frills and mom and pop. They have a toppings (crushed pepper and parmesan) and napkins station by where you pay, and I'm glad that they were generous with these as well as the drinks. For those, there is a fountain machine by where they keep the arcade machines, and this is just a classic Coca Cola soda fountain with the classics: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Lemonade. Lemme go back to the arcade machines because yeah, they also have retro arcade machines which seemed like a really cool addition, although there was a tio playing on it the whole time I was there. For the actual pizzas, they were both yummy, although the jalapeño pepperoni was a bit greasy after I took some bites and squeezed the pizza a bit. The garlic mushroom was lowkey my favorite and the bites of ricotta were divine. that garlic flavor really pushes through, and I hadn't realized it was coming from the mushrooms until I saw an Insta post where the owner was prepping them. Both pizzas did eventually get cold though, and the crust wasn't incredible so I did leave it once the sauce ran out of the corners. But overall, this is a great local chula vista pizza place and a great option to just switch up your lunch meal if your nearby in the area, and you don't want to spend a crazy ammount. The only real downside is that drink, but if you're eating in a second refill will give you just the right amount of liquid to satisfy you properly. I really recommend so come and try it and tell me if y'all vibed with it as much as I did. DAYGOEATS CERTIFIED✅✅

Came in with the family and had to try the sandwiches and pizza. Excellent pizza. Great strong base but thin enough to fold and provides a solid foundation. The sauce is delicious and we were able to get a half whole half cheese to make everyone happy. The plain cheese is must try. If you don’t do cheese well you don’t do pizza. The chicken parm, meatball and Philly subs were really well made and the bread was just on the right side of toasted and soft /airy baked inside. Good guys super friendly and a great addition to the neighborhood. Appreciate the good food and great service guys!

Pizza is very good, made while you wait. The guys making the pizza are pretty cool dude as as well. Good selection of brew. Sandwiches are pretty good as well

pizza was pretty average . I believe it would have tasted better if it was hot/warm. My favorite reccomendation of caliano pizza is to try the burgers. It seems to replicate a smashburger type style . It had good flavor !

I came here for the first time and got a pepperoni and sausage pizza with a Philly cheese steak on the side. The food was fresh and hot. That would definitely come here again if I was in the area. Thank you for taking care of me.

I called it in as we were on the road They said 25 mins we hit the store on the and I walked in not to crazy inside just the phone orders..I saw that the Woman's Soccer was on!!! Great!!! Woman's soccer finals and rush home to see the rest. I pick up our pie It's was hot out of the oven Never a disappointment here Until next time great pizza and chopped cheese here

Our go to for pizza in town is Caliano Pizza in Chula Vista, CA. The food and service is always great! We recommend the following: * Meat & Co pizza with pepperoni, sausage, meatball and bacon. *Chopped Cheese sandwich with chopped meat, cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers. The pizza and sandwiches never disappoint! Try it! Happy Yelping :)

I've noticed when I order a whole pie, the middle comes out...soggy/not firm. When I order a slice, it tastes much better. Came in last week, termites crawling on walls and counter, smaller bugs crawling on tables. Despite being grossed out by the bugs, still ordered pizza to go, cuz it's the best tasting pizza in Chula Vista, and took a shower immediately after.

First time ordering from here. The pepperoni and sausage whole pizza with mushrooms was ok. The cannolis were huge. The service was great even though it was just a pick up order. The ambiance had this sports bar kinda vibe/mom and pop. I thought the price was reasonable.

This is what one of my favorite pizza spots in the area! Caliano's Pizza consistently delivers delicious, high-quality pizza. The crust is thin and crispy and you can really taste the difference in the fresh, quality ingredients they use. The service is always friendly and efficient. The staff is welcoming, and they always get our order right. It's a small, cozy shop with a warm and inviting atmosphere. They offer both whole pizzas and pizza by the slice, which is perfect when you just want a quick bite. If you're in the area, I highly recommend Caliano's!

Do not let the site fool you. Just a pizza place in a strip mall, pizza is available in a full pie or by the slice. Prices are reasonable if you are looking for fancy look elsewhere but if you just want good pizza this is the place.

Found a metal bristle while eating a slice of pizza. Called to ask if they use a metal brush and was told they do use to clean the oven. Asked to speak to a manager but none was available. Employee on phone did not offer to remedy or refund. Asked him to please let kitchen staff know the risk this poses. Eat at your own risk.

Loved this pizza. I just left the East coast and was looking for some pizza that came close to that NYC flavor and Camino pizza hit the spot. I love the flavor of the sauce which really makes the pizza. The pepperoni and sausage is really good. The slices are huge similar the NY style pizza. This is my new pizza spot.

I was in the area for work and decided to give this place a try. The inside is clean, neat, and welcoming. The staff greeted me right away and made me feel comfortable. I ordered a chopped cheese, and the wait time wasn't bad at all. When I picked up my order, they told me to have a good day, which was a nice touch. The chopped cheese itself was excellent, well cooked, perfectly seasoned, the bun toasted just right, veggies fresh and colorful, and the cheese melted perfectly. Even the togo box was packed neatly, and the sandwich presentation was on point. I live about two hours away, but if I were closer, I'd definitely be a regular. Highly recommend giving this spot a try!

I've passed by this spot so many times coming from Olympic Pkwy and from Main Street. And today was my very first visit to Caliano's. It's a small spot in a mini shopping plaza, but this is like a hidden gem. I am not disappointed at all. I had ordered the Meatball and Provolone pie and it was fantastic. Bit of a wait, but only because the person ahead of me had like 5 pies waiting to bake. Very understandable. But it also told me this place had to be good. Will definitely be back soon.

Pizza is amazing! But eating it fresh at the restaurant is quite a big difference than being reheated at home. Sandwiches and Burgers are also delicious but again I suggest eating fresh off the grill. Chopped Cheese is our family order of choice

Pizza was yummy but i wouldn't exactly call it ny style. There's a certain way that the dough should fold and how the cheese should be. I enjoyed my slice but would not compare it to a slice. I was also intrigued to see chop cheese on their menu. Decided to try it. It was also good but was it was definitely missing a certain taste. They also added banana peppers, i didnt care for that. All in all, i did enjoy the food but would not compare to our friends in the east coast There are a couple of tables inside and lots of free parking. The staff was friendly as well.

If someone ever told me that my favorite thing at a pizza place would be their burgers, I'd call them crazy. But man, this is the spot. I haven't had many smash burger style burgers before, so my experience is limited, but in my opinion Caliano Pizza has perfected the craft. Bun is perfect, the patty is smashed to crispy goodness, the cheese I usually opt for the deluxe burger as I enjoy the lettuce and tomatoes. We usually have them there, so I can't speak on whether or not the Patties will remain crispy if you take them home. The pizzas are good. New York style. Probably my favorite pizza spot in Chula Vista, though I'm still exploring the area. They also do pizzas by the slice if you want to fill your craving without committing to a whole pizza. My go to is the meat & co. The little shopping center isn't too busy, so I've never had issues with parking. They do have a lobby/seating area, but it's not huge, so I'm not sure how it would work for large parties. Just some 2 or 4 person tables. Service is good, no complaints from me there.

Super Legit Spot. My daughter Loves it My office Loves it. Hidden Gem Always has the main sports game on and good beer selection

We finally got around to trying out Caliano Pizza. We had heard great things about this place so we were happy to finally experience it ourselves. We had the chicken parm sandwich, chopped cheese sandwich, cheeseburger and slice of cheese pizza. Everything was tasty. The sandwiches were enough to feed 2. Very big portions. The employees were so friendly and food prepared and sent out quickly. Will be back again.

Perfect NY Style hidden gem in a small Chula Vista strip mall. You would drive past this place a millions times before ever seeing the small sign in the corner. Easy to find using Google. Pizza dough was awesome, thin crispy lite flavorful ("no flop"). I loved it. Service was also friendly and quick. It's about $25 avg a pie and slices are $3.50-4.00. Small seating area inside with a couple TVs playing sports. They also have some beers on tap.

So good, every single time. Love this local, neighborhood spot for their ricotta pizza, burgers, and fries.

2 stars and not 1 because the pizza & chopped cheese is so good. BUT, the customer service? HORRIBLE. It's happened twice already where they forgot our order. We called in one pizza. The guy had us repeat our name and our order multiple times. Then said "let me check how long it'll be" and said 30 minutes. Perfect. We get there & THEY FORGOT OUR ORDER. How?? All they said was "sorry" and we're going to put the pizza in, so another 20 minutes to sit and wait there. The first time, the guy seemed high or something, but definitely out of it. The second time we have no clue how they forgot to put our pizza in... but the customer service lacks at this place. The food is good but it's a risk if your order was placed or not when you call ahead of time.

One of the best smashburgers in the South Bay. Pizza is delicious, chopped cheese is amazing. Keep it up!!

We dropped by today at Caliano pizza. We ordered a whole pepperoni pizza and chopped cheese sandwich. The chopped cheese was good. A little bit salty and greasy. They should have put bell peppers. In it was fried ground beef, a slice tomato (they could've put more) , no chopped onions shredded lettuce and jarred chopped pepperoncini peppers. No sauce either on the sandwich. Please don't be shy in putting more condiments in a sandwich. I'm not going to order this again. I only wanted to try because I saw yelpers are saying it was deliciously good. I should've ordered philly cheesesteak instead. The pepperoni pizza was delicious but salty.

Excellent!! Excellent!! Service, and especially food! I was so impressed and surprised that we stumbled upon this great place in a neighborhood on Brandywine Ave. in Chula Vista. The pizzas are either by slice or whole and are HUGE! I'm in love with the mushroom with ricotta cheese pizza!!! Already had it twice in past few weeks. Absolutely delicious with that creamy ricotta. And for those looking for something different, they have sandwiches and burgers. I actually tried the smash burger!! OMG! Best ever! Also heard the chopped cheese is very much popular! Totally recommend this place! In love!

Definitely a hidden gem to seek out in Chula Vista. In a strip mall on Brandywine between Orange and Main, this place could easily be missed. Looking for GREAT New York Style pizza in the South Bay? Look no more! Caliano Pizza is DELICIOUS. Order a whole pizza or by the slice. They also have great sandwiches...chicken parm, Philly cheeses teak, meatball...all really good. Check it out!

Awesome pizza!!! One of the best I've tasted., Sorry I couldn't take a whole picture of what we ate lol it was just that delicious. This place is very clean. Great customer service. If you're in the San Diego area, please come to this location. It is the best.

Had to check out this hidden gem on Brandywine. And I was not disappointed. I ordered a simple cheese pizza for my little ones. It was simple but a great measure of how their pizzas are. Crust was crisp and thin, the cheese and sauce were flavorful. It's what a great pizza should be. I heard good things about their sandwiches and other pizzas. Definitely gonna come back and try those too. Service was great. Friendly and straight forward. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a New York pizzeria. Brick wall accents with a couple tv's. Clean and simple. Overall, a great local spot. I'm looking forward to trying the Philly cheesesteak and other pizzas.

I've been here so many times and don't quite understand why it's taken me so long to write a review. This place is awesome. Everything about it. The pizza's are perfect, gooey cheese with a nice crispy crust. Don't sleep on their burgers and salads too, also a great choice. The ambiance is great too. I've came in on a relaxing chill day and got to watch the Padres while enjoying some of my favorite Pizza. It also helps when the staff is super chill and friendly too. I've been hearing a lot about this Pizza shop recently and I know why. This is my go to for Pizza in the Chula Vista area and it will be for a long time. Check em out for some awesome pizza.

Just came back from New York and this place is spot on! The pizza was on point!! I tried a few single slices and my kids made me order a whole pie!!

Solid chopped cheese and Philly. Those peppers make all the difference. Will be back!

This place is putting out damn good pies. Showed up right when they opened and ordered a cheese slice and pepperoni slice which I got fresh out of the oven. Both slices tasted great and the pizza ticked all the boxes as far as dough, sauce, and cheese blend. Will definitely be coming back next time I'm in Chula Vista. The owner (I think) was making the pizza and was super friendly. Definitely some of the best NY style pizza in the San Diego area. 6 out of 7!

Best mushroom pizza with ricotta I have ever had. Crunchy crust and great cheese. Their burgers are super duper as well. Working at CV Ford makes them a must for quick lunches.

They didn't have a huge selection of different pizzas. Maybe only 3 different kinds which was a bit disappointing. My pizza was a bit burnt on the crust as well. I think I prefer Luigis pizza.

The food is great and the staff is incredibly friendly. I would definitely recommend it.

Great New York slice!! Pizza is excellent and the service is spot on with that great mom and pop pizza shop ambiance!! I will only eat Pizza from here! You can trust me as well because I'm from Buffalo

My wife's sister, brother-in-law, my wifey, and I started meeting up to try new restaurants we all haven't tried around San Diego. Today we decided to try a restaurant I had Yelp bookmarked for sometime. We contemplated grubbing at a Mexican restaurant since it was Cinco de Mayo, but we decided on Caliano Pizza because it was a place I wanted to try and I'm always on the lookout for delicious Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. Not sure if a lot of South Bay peeps know about Caliano Pizza, but if they don't, they need to introduce themselves to some tasty and yummy food. Caliano Pizza is a mom and pop establishment in Chula Vista that looks like it's a go to spot for locals living in the general area because there was a constant flow of customers. If you're familiar with the east end of Main Street or where the North Island Federal Credit Union Amphitheatre, the restaurant can be found closeby. Specifically, it's located in a small strip mall on the corner of Brandywine Avenue and Sequoia Street. The stores that can be found here are Brandywine Liquor, Michos Mariscos & Mexican Food, and Superior Cuts. There is indoor and outdoor seating with the indoor seating having low and high top tables. There is minimal decor with brick facade on the walls, distressed wood paneling and distressed tiles as flooring, two televisions to watch sports, and a Fernando Tatis advertisement cut out. The staff here appear to be family, are friendly, and the young kid working was diligent. I docked them a half star because when we first entered the restaurant, the tables needed to be wiped down. I gave Caliano a high rating primarily for why San Diegans need to visit this eatery and that's because of their food. I had made Caliano a place I wanted to eat at based on the delicious looking pics of their Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. Looking delish and actually tasting delish are two different things, so I couldn't wait to take my first bite of everything we ordered. We ordered the Big Philly sandwich, the Chopped Cheese sandwich, The Works pizza, and Al's Chopped Cheese Fries. Please feel free to mimic what we ordered because I'm confident that you will be happy and completely satisfied. I recommend that you order either sandwich without sharing them like we did because they need to be enjoyed individually. They are seriously that good. The Big Philly has cheesesteak, onions, and provolone encapsulated in toasted soft bread. I wish there was more meat, but I'm sure if I ate that by myself, it would be good enough. It had a little kick, but it wasn't too spicy. The Chopped Cheese has chopped meat & cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, peppers, and mayo inside the same type of bread as the Philly. Both sandwiches were memorable. The Works pizza contained pepperoni, sausage, onion, mushroom, and black olives. Just like their sandwiches, the pizza was quality, there were plenty of toppings, and it was delectable. We also added Al's Chopped Cheese Fries, which had hearty, seasoned fries that stayed crunchy and there was plenty of chopped meat, cheese, and grilled onion. We loved everything that we devoured. I really enjoy supporting mom and pop restaurants like Caliano Pizza because if it wasn't for Yelp, only locals would know about a yummy restaurant that needs to be tried by many. I'm actually reluctant to share this review because then Caliano Pizza won't be a secret, but we had such a positive experience with their food and customer service that other customers should experience it as well. A solid 4.5 stars!

Food was cold and burnt! I have 7 kids and we still have burnt pizza that had NO cheese!

I wanted a chopped cheese and haven't had a good one in Cali forever. OMFG was I in for a treat, this chopped cheese is as legit as you can get. I've also ordered the philly cheesesteak, but personally chopped cheese is my fav. Chef Mario also makes some of the best pie I've ever tasted, our go to is the South Bay...but, my wife recently got the Nonnas square pie (order an hour early) it transported me to pizza heaven momentarily. My wife's preggo craving is actually the chicken parm sandwich, she's never had so many complements at the hospital from her co-workers on any meal she's ever brought in. She gets it every week without fail - epic cut of chicken, breaded to perfection and sauce to die for. Chula Vista needed a good and truly authentic NY style pizzeria, and Caliano is by far the best pizza within a 50mi radius. Chef Mario please don't change a thing

Location was clean. The service was really good. The young man working was really nice and helpful. The pizza was really good and had a nice thin crust to it. They also have individual slices.

Don't waste your time coming here. Called in a order for pickup. They say 25 mins for 2 pizzas one topping. Got there 45 Mins later and pizzas were not in the oven yet. Waited another 15 to 20 mins standing there with no update or apology or offer for a free small drink. Nothing. Horrible service. Why take orders over the phone?

We were on the way home from work and decided to stop for pizza. I placed the order on the phone and we were there within 20 minutes and our pizza was ready and waiting for us. We decided to eat they're at the restaurant. Our pizza was great as usual and the french fries are amazing.

Just opened a week ago. Food so far is fresh and tasty! Had the chopped cheese sandwich...which is chopped up hamburger patties with onions, peppers and of course cheese! Also came with lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on a roll. I also had a slice of pizza which I thought was good! The crust had a nice crisp to it. The service was friendly! I met the main guy "Mario" I think that was his name. He actually remembered me from a few days ago when I 1st stopped by for a slice...thought that was cool. Good neighborhood pizza joint to grab a whole pie, a slice, or a sandwich and even a beer!!

HOLY SHIT literally this chopped cheese was insane - soft bun everything well combined w pepperocini tons if cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes! loved this fast casual spot ! highly recommend trying it out - fries were too peppery though

Just wanted to come back and update review. Pizza is still excellent and the timing is so much better! Love it here!

Ordered The Works w no olives and Chicken Parm Sandwich. Called in on busy Sunday, had to wait a bit, but it was worth it. Pizza is legit. Flop official. Chicken parm was smackin with combination of soft bread, tasty sauce, quality cheese, a.d well seasoned and cooked chicken. Excited to try the square pizza.

Parking: small-medium sized parking lot with a few businesses sharing it. Service: the service very friendly and helpful. Food came out right away. Food: my wife and I don't have to drive far for some quality pizza anymore. The pizza here is delicious. Crispy underneath and cheese was hot and gooey. We tried the mushroom ricotta and pepperoni pizza. Both were incredible. The pepperoni was slightly crispy which made it even better. This place isn't only for pizzas though. The cheeseburger was incredible too. Can't wait to go back!!!

I really really wanted to like this place. It's close by the house, it's similar to The Friendly with pizza slices and smash burgers but damn man put some hair nets on your workers. I ordered 3 deluxe burgers, big philly, and two slices. My entire family lost their appetites after seeing this long hair.

This pizza place is a hidden gem in Chula Vista. No longer so we need to drive to Hillcrest for things New York style pizza. The white pizza with ricotta and spinach is amazing! Today we got five pizzas for a staff party and they were a hit!

My 2nd trip out here. I ordered a pizza to go a few months back and it was on point! Today, I ordered a basic smash style cheeseburger with no mayo. Hands down one of the best smash burgers in San Diego! The owner was super friendly and also recommended the chopped cheese sandwich. I will definitely have to comeback and try it!

Came here with some friends for a quick bite and love this place. The guys were so friendly and gave us some good recommendations. To start, tried the chopped cheese sandwich and was pleasantly surprised. The sandwich consists of chopped hamburger meat, cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomatos, peppers and mayo. It's like eating a hamburger but better. We also had a whole mushroom ricotta pizza and that was really delicious! Love the fresh chunks of garlic and mushrooms! Would definitely come here again when I'm in the area.

Service was pretty bad. What was so simple and could've been an easy fix turned into I'll never come here again. On the board, they wrote chopped cheese on one line and then fries on another line. Like other places do, I figured it was chopped cheese and fries combo. So when it came out an actual chopped cheese and fries mixed in, I apologized them since I thought it was the sandwich. Asked if I could have the sandwich and they refused and said I have to take it as is and they can't fix the order. Was a simple mistake, but customer service sucks! Any other place would've just redid the order or some accommodation for the misread of their board

A great thin crust to the rescue!!! My normal go to pizza place was closed so we looked for another one and luckily we found this one... We were sitting there looking at the menu and a guy walked in asking questions. He asked (presumably the owner) if they were east coasters. He said "No. I'm from Italy and I know pizza" .... And yes he does!!! The pieces folded with a crunch, the pepperoni was great. The sauce was garlicky and yummy. The tips were just a little greasy but definitely not enough to lose a star. The place is only six months old so the inside was a bit new and basic but two large TVs with sports on them and beer!!! If you haven't tried it, get out there and do so!!! You'll thank me.