Truly Pizza
Pizza restaurant · Dana Point ·
Artisan pizzas with unique dough, intricate flavors, fresh ingredients
Artisan pizzas with unique dough, intricate flavors, fresh ingredients
"Ask chef Chris Decker if he needs another type of pizza on the menu, and he’ll respond with, “of course,” which might’ve been the genesis of this cracker-thin pizza Romana that isn’t on the menu yet. Worried it might fill us up too early, he noted the pie only has five ounces of dough and is stretched super-thin, giving it an almost lahmajune-like shape. What makes this pizza shine is the ridiculously deep and sweet tomato sauce on top, dusted with feather-like curls of pecorino and a gentle perfume of dried oregano. The crust is crispy underneath but remains a bit pliable, with smidges of blistering on the outer edges. Though this is just my second visit, I am more convinced than ever that it might be the single remarkable pizzeria in Southern California." - Eater Staff
"An Orange County pizzeria celebrated for airy-crusted pies that prioritize a light, open crumb and texture, contributing to the county’s distinctive pizza scene." - Becky Duffett
"Dana Point’s Truly Pizza, which just announced plans to expand to Laguna Beach, was named one of the best 50 pizzerias in the U.S. in 2024 and won a competition at the World Pizza Championship in Italy. Operated in part by John Arena, Chris Decker, and Michael Vakneen, who all hail from Las Vegas, the wood-fired round- and square-pizza specialists make exemplary pies worthy of a trek to Orange County." - Eater Staff
"This partnership from chef Chris Decker, Donna Baldwin, John Arena, and developer Steve Muller brings some of the best pizza in Southern California to Dana Point. Hearth-baked 12-inch American artisan pizzas like La Dolce Vita with fontina, artichoke cream, prosciutto cotto, and arugula emerge from the kitchen. But the coveted square pizzas, which are limited daily, combine the fluffy chew of focaccia with a quintessential cheese pull. The classic pepperoni is slathered with a nuanced California red sauce and topped with fresh and aged whole milk mozzarella and charred pepperoni. Save space for Strauss Creamery organic vanilla soft serve with drizzles of chocolate sauce or sprinkles of pistachio." - Jenn Tanaka
"“California-style” pizza is all about the light, wood-fired crust and fresh local ingredients, and few are making it on the level of this recent addition to Dana Point’s beautiful Lantern District. Grab a seat under the lemon tree on the upstairs patio and dig in to the Champion Cheese; its combination of California red sauce and mozzarella recently won Best Traditional Pizza honors at the 2024 International Pizza Challenge." - Vox Creative