A look at pizzerias in Orange County, California
Rance’s Chicago Pizza
The Midwestern-style pizzeria has gained notoriety in the Southern California pizza scene. It serves up three Windy City pizza styles — stuffed, pan and tavern. Dough, sauce and salad dressings are made in house. Specialty pies include the Chicken & Garlic with mushrooms and onions. The Tomato Basil is only available in pan and thin-crust. It is topped with a blend of feta and mozzarella. Rance’s offers take-and-bake pizzas with tips for home baking. Its beer list is diverse with 18 taps of rotating craft beers.
1420 Baker St., Suite B, Costa Mesa
rancespizza.com
Fuoco Pizzeria Napoletana
Father and son Franco and Tullio Ceccarelli opened the VPN-certified Neapolitan pizzeria in 2012. Fuoco’s products have been passed down through three generations. Its menu features a Mozzarella Bar with cheese imported weekly from Caserta, Italy, and a variety of insalate and antipasti. The pizza menu spotlights Neapolitan classics and fresh takes, like the Tricolore with tomato sauce, pesto, smoked mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, basil and extra virgin olive oil ($15). The namesake Fuoco has mozzarella, prosciutto crudo, arugula, shaved Parmigiano and truffle oil ($17). Desserts include the Nutellamisu — ladyfingers soaked in hazelnut espresso and layered with house-made vanilla cream, Nutella and hazelnuts ($8).
101 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton
fuocopizza.com
Two Saucy Broads Pizza & Beer Parlor
Co-owner Kathryn Knost says, “Two Saucy Broads Pizza can be described perfectly as New York hand-tossed pizza with a gourmet California twist.” TSB also serves gourmet sandwiches made with breads (house-made daily), salads and appetizers, including pepperoni and spinach pinwheels. Customers can go for Fancy Crusts — cream cheese stuffed or garlic Parmesan butter. The fan favorite Bronx Bomber pizza is topped with garlic, jalapeños, mozzarella, mushrooms, pepperoni and sausage. The Ohana features carrots, fresh cilantro, mozzarella, red onion, seasoned chicken breast and sweet and spicy Thai sauce.
108 S. Highland Ave., Fullerton
twosaucybroadspizza.com
ON THE RADAR
The Pizza Press (HQ — Anaheim)
Pizzeria Ortica (Costa Mesa)
Ecco Pizzeria & Bar (Costa Mesa)
Sgt. Pepperoni’s (Newport Beach)
