Pizzeria Luigi

El Cajon Boulevard just became even cooler. Pizzeria Luigi out of Golden Hill, known as one of the best spots in San Diego opened a second location, and it's on the Boulevard!

Luigi grew up in Varese, Italy and one thing that appealed to him about his childhood was the simple accommodations. Varese wasn't a large city but there were just enough businesses within walking distance to make driving uncommon. His parents owned a café, so he grew up in the family business, providing good food to the people he lived amongst.

Once Luigi moved to San Diego and settled in Golden Hill, he noticed a strong similarity to his hometown, and felt a New York style pizzeria would be a perfect fit. As Luigi explained it, when Italians settled in New York, they found the lifestyle to be fast pace, and in response, they started baking larger pizzas and sold them by the slice. The simplicity of a quick, economical meal is exactly what Luigi had in mind. He also focused on appealing to the diverse community by employing people from the neighborhood and including aspects of the community's interests in the restaurant's ambiance. The key to his success came from word of mouth, which obviously had a large impact because in 2008, it was featured on the Food Network.

The vibe of Pizzeria Luigi is low-key. The focus is on providing good food, good beer and good music. Fortunately for El Cajon Boulevard, Luigi is an avid soccer player and plays several times a week at the field next to the water tower on El Cajon Boulevard. In the last few years, with business going as well it has, Luigi began seeking out another location. He saw the Boulevard as a similar community to Golden Hill, an area with lots of character with businesses that appeal to the local community.

So, whether you're looking for a quick bite after a hanging poolside at the Lafayette Hotel, a simple dinner to pair with desert next door at Eclipse Chocolat or a late night snack after an evening at the Live Wire or Gilly's Bar, here are a few great opportunities to hang around the Boulevard and grab a yummy slice at Pizzeria Luigi.