Now with four locations, Mr. Moto is one of San Diego’s biggest small business success stories.
Owner Gibran Fernandez, a San Diego native with Mexican and Armenian heritage, learned the art of pizza making at Pizza on Pearl before opening his own shop in Pacific Beach. Shops in North Park and Point Loma followed and last November, Pizza on Pearl was transformed into the fourth Mr. Moto outpost.
Gibran isn’t done yet. The entrepreneur hopes to open additional shops in South Bay and Encinitas—if he can find the right spaces.
Besides pizza, Mr. Moto offers a small selection of pastas, wings, simple salads, and stuffed garlic knots. My personal favorite is the spicy option, with pepperoni, mozzarella, and a thick slice of pickled jalapeño. Straight up or dunked into the shop’s slightly sweet marinara sauce, it’s the perfect snack or pre-pizza appetizer.
What makes Mr. Moto’s pies different? For starters, they’re made with more dough than the standard New York pizza, which results in crust with a soft, fluffy rim that tastes a bit like a breadstick.
The variety of sauces, drizzles, and toppings also mean there’s always something new to discover. Fancy a pie with fresh spinach, gorgonzola, and balsamic glaze? Try the Mamma Mia—or design your own with exotic additions like feta cheese, raspberry chipotle glaze, and truffle oil.
The shop’s namesake pie is also a standout. It features Italian sausage, meatballs, fresh mozzarella, and dots of marinara sauce on the shop’s homemade garlic paste.
Some of Gibran’s favorite pizzas include the California Lovin’ (a white pie with bacon, chicken, and homemade ranch) and the Stuffed Belly (with ricotta-stuffed crust, chorizo salami, jalapeño, and caramelized onion), but at heart, he’s a fan of the most classic slice in the shop. “I’m a pepperoni guy,” he says.
Each month, the team of talented bakers debuts a new Pizza of the Month. Past iterations have included toppings like smoked salami, thinly sliced potatoes, and gyro meat. For March, the special is a spicy red pie with chili oil, ricotta, romano cheese, and meatballs. Keep an eye on the website to see what’s coming up next.
Visit Mr. Moto
Locations in North Park, Point Loma, La Jolla, and Pacific Beach
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