Pieology, a fast casual custom pizza chain with various locations throughout California, recently opened two locations in San Diego (Sports Arena and Balboa).
There’s already quite a few custom fast casual pizza restaurants in San Diego, but I’d heard pretty good things about this one, so I was definitely curious enough to give it a try.
The set-up is pretty much the same as all the other ones I’ve been to. You can choose a preset pie or you can customize your own. A customized pie with unlimited toppings will only cost you $7.50.
You work your way through the assembly line, choosing cheeses, toppings and even after bake toppings for a little more flavor.
With no charge for additional toppings, one must show considerable self-restraint not to ask for the entire line of toppings.
Once your order is complete, the pizzas are placed in the oven to bake.
The biggest issue I had with my visit to Pieology was the wait time. Fast it was not. My past experiences at other chains have been easy breezy, but for whatever reason, the process took more time here than I had patience for. It took almost 30 minutes of standing in line. As much as I loved reading the famous inspirational quotes on the wall (Pieology also sneaks in one of their own), I read them all about three times over before it was finally my turn.
In addition, once we sat down to wait for our pizzas, which usually only bake for about five minutes, we waited about fifteen more minutes for our pie.
Once our pies finally did arrive, I immediately regretted getting the “after bakes.” They are put on after the pie is done and make the pies look quite ugly. Also the after bake sauces and toppings are cold. A much better option is to request one of the after bakes, but request it be actually added on last and baked in. It’ll still stand out on the pie, but it will blend in better and be warm.
Red Sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, sausage, meatball, mushroom, green peppers, after bake pesto (requested it drizzled on top and baked), after bake roasted red peppers
This was my creation. The crust didn’t quite have the snap and chew that I enjoy at Project Pie and the sauce to cheese ratio was a little off, making my pizza way too cheesy.
Red Sauce, mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms, pepper, fresh basil, after bake dollops of sauce.
As a result of the dollops of sauce, the pizza sauce came across much better in this pie than on mine, but the giant red dollops were definite eye-sores.
Overall, we had mixed feelings about this place. We loved the large restaurant space and choice of ingredients. However, we felt that the process was quite slow and the pizzas not quite as tasty as some of the other custom pizza places already in San Diego such as Project Pie.
Pieology
5575 Balboa Ave.
San Diego, CA 92111
https://www.pieology.com/
Ahhh, another custom pie place. This must be the new trend! I have actually only been to Social Life Pizza, I haven’t tried Project Pie but it’s been on my list. The after-bakes, I must agreed, don’t sound too awesome if they’re cold. I’d understand if it was herbs or something… but cold sauce? Ugh. The wait time seems excessive, too. Maybe it’s just because it’s shiny and new?
yeah the wait time hopefully will get better. though they have been open about a month now. oh well. yeah this custom pizza thing definitely seems to be trending
Afterbakes don’t sound too good, especially knowing now that they’re cold (yuk). Thanks for the tips on those items. I agree that it seems like a Project Pie copycat. They’re quite similar. Maybe when things die down, I might check this out with TC.
At 7.50 a pie, it’s definitely worth trying and comparing to see who you prefer.
Did this place just open recently? I assume it’s in the new strip mall. It’s not too far from work, so I’ll have to check it out.
Yes, it opened a few weeks ago.
Wow this kind of looks like a Project Pie knock-off, complete with the quote wall and everything… The cold after-bake things don’t sound too good :\ I was kind of excited about this place, too.
I was thinking it sounded like a Project Pie knock-off too but the chain has been around in other parts of CA, so now I’m not sure who came first.