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Basic
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Pizza
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Delivery
Full Bar
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Television
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
East Village
Order delivery
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4.5
520 reviews
Excellent
318
Very good
165
Average
24
Poor
9
Terrible
4
Eric W.
Yonkers869 contributions
May 2023 • friends
(Last visited 5/12/2022.) Hanging out in San Diego for the weekend with my boys and it's time for dinner after a long day of partying in this beautiful city! We were just walking around downtown and saw that this place had been rented out for a private event. That MUST mean it's good, right?! So we popped in the next day to see what all the hype is about...
Atmosphere/Appearance: It's basically a giant, rustic, chill sports bar and I loved it. The ceilings were high and this is gonna sound funny, but it felt like we were IN a giant pizza oven. Lol. It wasn't hot or anything, but the walls are lined in brick, the risers are rounded creating arches above our heads and the place was so wide open! There was wood everywhere, good, loud, energetic music, picnic tables that made you share and of course other dining sections in case you wanted somewhere quieter.
Service: I can't remember who took care of us, but I know we had a good time and didn't need anything.
Food: The pizzas we ordered were absolutely enormous. Probably like wheels on a car/truck you'd see in Atlanta. Lol. We ordered a straight cheese and I think a meaty version. The crust was thin and crispy. The cheese was lighter than I would've liked, but that's fine since the crust was so thin. The toppings were delicious and yo... I can see why this place has won so many awards and why so many people have been here!
Value: I can't remember. A: You're in California. Lol. B: It's San Diego. C: It's DOWNTOWN San Diego. Nothing is going to be cheap, but pizza usually doesn't do you wrong. Lol. Splitting the 2 giant pizzas between the 4 of us didn't break our pockets at all.
In conclusion, I loved this place and I know we'll be back here the next time we revisit San Diego!
Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sladphie
Macomb594 contributions
Apr 2023 • none
We stopped here for dinner after visiting the zoo for the day. It was a Padres game day that afternoon, so many of the restaurants were still very busy at dinner time. We were seated right away but it took a very long time for the pizza to arrive, so just be prepared. Once it arrived, it was very good. We had asked the server whether 2 small pizzas would feed us all (3 adults & one teen), and he assured us it would. He wasn't wrong, but we had zero leftovers as the crust is very thin. The menu is pretty much just pizza and drinks with a salad or two. We would probably eat here again on a less busy day, but would order more food per person since the crust is so thin.
Written April 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven H
San Diego553 contributions
Jun 2023 • friends
Cool place near Petco Park with some solid food. We went recently and split a Basic Salad and a Pepper Pizza. The salad was actually our favorite of the two. We loved the candied walnuts and Gorgonzola crumbles. Delicious. Pizza itself is large and a little doughy for my liking but still had decent taste. Not my favorite in San Diego but it's not bad by any means. Our server was friendly, attentive and efficient. As some other reviews have noted, it can get rather busy and loud but it depends on when you go. There are some outside tables as well as tables in the bar area. I actually prefer the tables off to the right when you walk in as it it is a little easier to have a conversation over there. Will probably go there again when we have something to do at Petco or Gallagher Square since it's so convenient.
Written July 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann H
Edinburgh107 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
Although we ordered a thin dough pizza for take away it was completely undercooked.
Dripping in grease through the box and on the plates when we tried to eat it.
It went directly to the bin. Wasted money.
The worse pizza we have NOT eaten in years.
They should change the pizza name, instead of "So Meaty" it would be better "So Greasy".
Written April 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JerseyJac
Bradenton59 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
Have you ever watched Dave Portnoy do a pizza review on the Internet? One bite here and he gone. Anyone who's had pizza would say 'that's not pizza'. What you get is this oversized pie that's not cut into the standard 8 slizes. It's sliced willy nilly, so your picking up a variety of sections. Terrible. and the service at this joint stinks. Stay away.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ilBuckeye
Arlington Heights281 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
We stopped here early Friday night and were able to score a table outside. They had a decent selection of beer. We started with their small salad - which is big enough for 3 or 4. We liked the walnuts, pears and Gorgonzola mixed in. Their pizza was excellent, we got the so meat. It had the perfect balance of sauce, cheese and toppings. Crust is similar to a New Haven style. It was perfectly crispy on the outside, but did tend to be overly floppy in the center - another minute in the oven would have helped. A small was just enough for 2, you’ll want a large if you have 3 or 4.
We would return, it was a great place.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josh
Virginia Beach114 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
Let’s face it SD is not known for pizza. BUT there are a few out there like Basic they will give you a good pie. Now you have to pay $$$ because they have a bad ass location in EV and rent is $$$. Pre covid they had a killer happy hour. Pool table is a plus as well.
Written March 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JScotG
Fayetteville369 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We stopped in for some dinner and drinks and was really impressed with the interior. Lighting was perfect and the atmosphere was very comfortable. The staff was friendly and helpful and the food was excellent. We each got a “small” pizza which was really a large, and each of us commented on the quality of the crust and toppings. Very fresh and high quality. Had plenty left over to take back to the hotel room. Full bar and nice beer selection. We really enjoyed this place.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack Cohen
Tsoran51 contributions
Sep 2022 • family
We came due to the good recommendations
Their Pizza is ok.
We got our Pizza a bit cold. After eating two three slices, we asked to warm it a bit. Who likes cold pizza? Well not us.
We got refused. Seriously! They did not accept to warm our pizza.
So eventually we ate around the half of what we ordered. We left the place while we are yet hangry.
We will not come back
Not recommended.
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosepetals818
Louisville86 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
The restaurant part was closed when we arrived so we had to sit at the bar. The server seemed uninterested in working or high. One or the other. Thankfully the pizza was delicious. A small is huge! I had some leftover. Crust is delicious. I'd return if I'm ever in the San Diego area again.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrKahless
Shakespeare312 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Pizza was delicious but the salad was the star. Nice place. Quick service. Cold beer. Pretty much all you could ask for in a late Sunday afternoon lunch venue. We went pepperoni and olive but looked like lots of options.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy L
Parker141 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
Recently visited San Diego and had pizza and beers at Basic in the East Village neighborhood (near Petco Park). Fun atmosphere and very good New Haven Style pizza and we would return. Similar to Piece pizza in Chicago but not quite as good. Cool place that is dog friendly and a big space.
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EagleFlyer
Reykjavik429 contributions
May 2020 • none
Had lunch at Basic with the family. We really liked the pizzas we got and the service and surroundings were fine.
Basic is a large restaurant that clearly caters to sports crowds and people having a fun night out. We were there for lunch and it was very quiet. We had a couple of types of pizzas and they were quite good.
Service was fine but nothing special.
(Visited in May 2019)
Written March 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bahamareef
Auburn153 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
Awesome pizza, the best we've had in San Diego and for a long time. Chill environment. Service is a little bit slack and wine is super expensive. Worth it for the pizza though!
Written August 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
10-4 goodday
Battle Ground60 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
The pizza was AMAZING!!! Love their crust and cheese!!! And the spicy red sauce is phenomenal! Definitely recommend this place! The basic salad is so good too!!!
Written March 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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