Giovanni’s Pizza of Santa Barbara

I've been to the new Mesa location twice. First time I ordered a hot sandwich, it was cold on the inside and unappetizing. The second time I went in with a different order in mind but mentioned my first experience. The order taker disputed my own experience. I walked out, never to return.

So they emphasize "consistency and freshness." Great! I agree. They are consistently "fresh" (in the derogatory sense of the word).

Another view:
'Been goin' there for years (State St.). Never had a bad pizza, salad, beer, or anything else off-color there, including the wonderful and friendly staff (and ever-present owners, Daniel and Loni). Giovanni's, if I'm not mistaken, has received a large number of "Best of" awards from this very newspaper's annual review, over the last decade or two. This doesn't happen "accidentally" or by stuffing the ballot box. Giovanni's is the real deal. Hint: when you go to a pizzeria, order pizza.

Best pizza in SB. Always terrific.

Costco: Comes in second in taste & value.
Domino's: Still sucks badly; new tastes not too unlike old.
Pizza Hut: Too corporate; mediocre sauce; worst crust. Try eating a PH slice from the fridge the next day. Inedible.
Marty's: Terrific. But . . . location, location, location.
Pizza Guru: Busted. Former home of the $728-dollar pizza, which accounted for all those huge bank deposits. Sorry---Pizza & guru do not go together unless you've been hitting the hash pipe.
Little Caesars: No fair---We're discussing pizza. Cardboard, ketchup, & cheeze whiz do not count. SImply the worst, even over Domino's.

What are your preferences and disses?

I'm right there with you, Draxor.

- Giovanni's can be sublime, when the crust is just right, and in 20 plus years I've never had less than a great pizza there
- You did leave out California Pizza Kitchen -- they are in their own league for artisan quality
- Costco is a Best Buy.
- Taffy's is consistently top drawer.
- Of the chains / big guys, only Rusty's is C.A.B.-approved.

... and surprisingly, a make-your-own crust put out by Alvarado's Organic bakery is my best effort in the DIY mode; it seems like it would be pure puffy cardboard, but somehow ends up being moist, light, and a delish foundation for a proper pizza.

Pizza Guru destroys Giovanni's -- thin, crispy, non-greasy, quality cheese, just the right amount of sauce. . .

Their basic pie is always awesome. Giovanni's pie, in my opinion, is too doughy, cheesy, and bland.

I really hope the Guru stays in business because hands down they make the only top notch NYC style pizza in SB.

Giovanni's (Isla Vista) kept me from starving in college. But I still miss Deano's.

Giovanni's is phenomenal, I nostalgically remember eating pizza across from McKenzie Park after little league games, many decades ago. Enjoy the new location on the Mesa. Really wish they had a delivery service though.

Rusty's is the old (but greasy) standby and I also enjoy Paesano's Pizzeria, which has great dough.

I hear if you want a New York style slice (terrible service included,) you should try Rocco's on Lower State.