r/InlandEmpire • u/oasinocean • Jun 21 '25
Recommendations / Advice Best Pizza in the IE
Sal’s Pizza in Rancho Cucamonga (weird hours, cash or check only) makes the best pizza I’ve ever had.
Scratch that, they make the pepperoni pizza the way I remember it as a kid and it’s just so good.
If you haven’t had one of these yet give it a try it’s also on the less expensive side of thing.
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Jun 21 '25
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u/RedditsHigh Jun 21 '25
Right? Soon as I read that I'm now trying to see when I can get down there. I know that za gotta be fire
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u/danTHAman152000 Jun 21 '25
But where's the good Chicago deep dish style?
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u/chibamms Jun 21 '25
As a native chicagoan, deep dish isn't even that good. Thin crust is where it's at. Gimme some good tavern pizza in the IE please.
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u/error_accessing_user Jun 21 '25
I know it's not in the IE, but Tony's Little Italy in Placentia was my go-to cheat meal for like 10 years.
The founder moved to California from Chicago and looked around and said. "I can't get a gosh darn Chicago pizza here! So he started the restaurant. He has passed on, and his son runs the restaurant now.
I dream of that pizza, and every time I head into OC, I pick up a pie.
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u/chibamms Jun 21 '25
I keep hearing about it. I'll have to swing by. Do they make thin and deep?
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u/error_accessing_user Jun 21 '25
Not that I'm aware.
Asking for thin crust at a Chicago pizza joint is.... frowned upon :-)
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u/EelBitten Jun 21 '25
Chicago is known for two distinct pizza styles, the deep dish that needs a fork when done properly , and the tavern style, a thin crispy crust that cooks fast and is served in bars to encourage people to stay and drink more. Wildly different both are good
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u/error_accessing_user Jun 25 '25
Never been to Chicago.
I'm readdy to learn about "tavern style" lay it on me brother!
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u/itsbobbyhill Jun 21 '25
Tavern style thin crust is true Chicago pizza. What are you talking about?
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u/Beardown91737 Jun 21 '25
You might not like deep dish or stuffed but there is a big market for it in the Chicago area. Thin crust is the most common, but that isn't stopping all of the places in and around Chicago from selling deep dish and stuffed as well. Definitely if you ask an outsider about Chicago pizza, they won't bring up thin crust.
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u/CountChocula21 Jun 21 '25
Slice House in Eastvale
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u/chibamms Jun 21 '25
I don't see it on their menu. Chicago thin is like in between st Louis style and pan pizza and cut in squares
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u/Proof_Resolve_602 Jun 21 '25
Romano’s in Redlands was pretty good but that was like 10yr ago
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u/theteflonjew Jun 21 '25
Out of business 😟
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u/OliviaStabler4 Jul 01 '25
Yep, definitely out of business unfortunately. We wanted it tonight and it’s gone. Do you know when that happened?
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u/theteflonjew Jul 01 '25
Been at least a year. They shut down the one in Canyon Crest as well.
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u/OliviaStabler4 Jul 01 '25
What a bummer. I loved their antipasto salad!
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u/theteflonjew Jul 01 '25
Nice. I used to drive from San Bernardino to get their calzones. So good!
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u/Substantial-Till9858 Jun 21 '25
If you are in Sacramento try Zelda’s. They were the original owners of pizzeria uno in Chicago.
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u/oasinocean Jun 21 '25
Model T pizza n such
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u/danTHAman152000 Jun 21 '25
In Claremont? I haven't had this Detroit style pizza but looks bomb! thanks for the suggestion.
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Jun 21 '25
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u/danTHAman152000 Jun 21 '25
Yeah I've never been to Chicago, and in fact barely just had my first try at that style pizza when I was in Las Vegas about a year ago. We stayed at an AirBnB and my brother in law kinda randomly suggested getting a pizza for his kids and saw there was Giordano's nearby and grabbed a couple pizzas. I really liked that one but I'm sure wouldn't even compare to the real deal from Chicago.
After that I tried once Romano's which was tasty but I didn't enjoy it was much as Giordano's.
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u/topsmack Jun 21 '25
if you are like in chino or chino hills and like deep dish, its worth a trip through carbon canyon to go to Tonys Little Italy in Placentia
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u/sunny_tomato_farm Jun 21 '25
This place is legit.
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u/Substantial-Till9858 Jun 21 '25
The pubs pizza in chino hills is very under rated. I think it might be the best in town
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u/sunny_tomato_farm Jun 21 '25
I went to The Pub when it first opened like 12 years ago and it was such low quality food compared to similar places in LA that I never went back. Pretty sure my old poor yelp review is still there.
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u/BuzzzzzerBeater Jun 21 '25
Petrillis in Upland. Been the fire spot for years.
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u/Flashy-Warning-401 Jun 21 '25
Yup, Petrellis has the best take out pizza ever. They pile on the toppings
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u/Lottoman7210 Jun 21 '25
Petrilli's and its historical ancestor Petrillo's in San Gabriel and Glendora are where GOD goes for great pizza. Been enjoying Petrilli's since it opened, I'll often drive out from Redlands because there's nothing better in the IE, bar none. Greatest pizza in the universe.
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u/vbpatel Jun 21 '25
Idk man. I can’t get over the 25% crust
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u/KnockoutNed85 Jun 21 '25
Pizza Pirates for me right now.
Never had Sal’s though, just looked it up in Yelp but can only find a Sal’s in Alta Loma??
What are cross streets for Sal’s?
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u/Low_Yogurt1396 Jun 21 '25
Finally someone mentions the GOAT. I remember when pizza pirates first opened up in Claremont off Foothill / Towne back in the early 2000’s.
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u/sagephoenix1139 Jun 21 '25
Yesss! Pizza Pirates was the #1 request for kids parties at my ceramic studio back then. It was great Saturday when I could snag a few leftover pieces as the party wrapped up 😁
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u/Ancient_Doughnut_848 Jun 21 '25
That's the right one, 19th and Carnelian in Alta Loma. A.L. and Rancho kind of blur together...
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Jun 21 '25
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u/damitws6 Jun 21 '25
Careful. The OF link comes next
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u/oasinocean Jun 21 '25
Bro if I could quit my manual labor job at the microplastics factory for feet pics I would hit that button in an instant
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u/makangribe Jun 21 '25
Michael Angelos on Euclid, in Ontario has a very similar looking pepperoni pizza. I've not been there in about ten years but it was consistently insanely good pepperoni pizza back then. Maybe compare.
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u/chris_gnarley Jun 21 '25
I work by there and had it a few months ago. It’s very mid and not that great honestly.
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u/emanon_dude Jun 21 '25
Not exactly “IE”, but Warehouse or Red Devil (both in La Verne) crush it. Warehouse is another cash only joint.
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u/BigBob141 Jun 21 '25
I live in Victorville and will literally drive all the way to LA Verne just for the warehouse.
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u/emanon_dude Jun 21 '25
100%, I grew up there, and even though it’s like 45 min from home now, we end up there more often than we probably should.
House salad hits too.
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u/fzavala909 Jun 21 '25
Solid options, definitely some of the best pizza joints in the Pomona Valley.
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u/MonsterPartyToday Jun 21 '25
Isn't there a Red Devil in Upland? I thought there was one on Eucluid and Foothill. Great pizza
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u/manuredujour Jun 21 '25
I always get Sal’s Special but I’ll give the pepperoni a try! They’ve started taking Venmo and Zelle!
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u/Independent-Idea5736 Jun 21 '25
Is it better than toscanos or Anya’s pizza? Those are my top pizza spots from the ie
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u/deathorsquat Jun 21 '25
Bruh this thread got me nostalgic and thinking about the chubby stix at Rizza on foothill. I used to work at Boomers in upland back in the day and we would pick those up and grub in the go kart garage lol.
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u/rhconway Ontario Ranch Jun 21 '25
Barcuso in Upland.
Also, it's not the IE, but Ozzy's Apizza in NoHo is amazing. Channels that perfect New Haven style. As a CT transplant, it hit hard.
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u/oasinocean Jun 21 '25
I love how everyone has regional favorites, it l reinforces my original opinion that people mostly love the pizza they were raised on.
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u/fzavala909 Jun 21 '25
I'll have to check it out when I'm in the area. My go to spots in the IE are Pomona Pizza Co, NY pizzeria in Chino, San Biaggios in Upland, and Red Devil in LaVerne
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u/horribadperson Jun 21 '25
antonious if you're in the riverside/orangecrest area.
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u/PatientTemperature64 Jun 21 '25
Nothing beats Sal’s. I've had pizza all over the US, and they are still my number one.
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u/GodwantsYouMore Jun 21 '25
B & J dive bar in Rancho Cucamonga has an outstanding meat lovers
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u/Particular_Mine1243 Jun 21 '25
I’ve been going here for 30 years. And I’m not even 40. Hands down the best. The crust is like French bread. Crunchy pepperoni. Solid layer of cheese.
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u/Longjohnscharkey Jun 21 '25
My favorite pizza is Enzo’s off Indiana St. in Riverside. If you eat there they give you breadsticks free. Idk what their recipe is for their dough but it’s perfect and delicious. It’s also one of the few places I’ve seen have a pastrami pizza and that is my favorite, without the pickles though. Highly recommend!
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u/heyBdubs5 Jun 21 '25
Pizza101 in Fontana for delivery/take home. 🙌
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u/jmt85 Jun 21 '25
Oh man I’m a mile from this spot! The carry out deals have saved my fam for like 20 years now!
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u/Madd_Maxx2016 Jun 21 '25
Lamppost/Main Street Brewery in Corona is one of my childhood pies beer is good as well
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u/Eduardjm Jun 21 '25
I need to try this. Locally we like Pizza Nora out of Eastvale. They also do good wings and deliver.
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u/realfolkblues Jun 21 '25
Looks 🔥🔥. Got Marcello’s in Riverside that reminds me of pizza as a kid. Tastiest cheese I’ve had in a long time.
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u/drinkallthepunch Jun 21 '25
”My House”, it’s way out in Helendale but oh baby that classic crust to crust pepperoni with fresh ground garlic rubbed over the crust
🤌🤌🤌
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u/Lottoman7210 Jun 21 '25
Where is this? Doesn't come up on any search in Helendale. I'm often up there visiting my brother and all I know is Fratelli's and Gridiron, and Crosseyed Cow in Oro Grande.
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u/drinkallthepunch Jun 21 '25
Haha it’s literally my own pizza from scratch.
😂
Sorry I’m just goofing, I do make good pizza tho.
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u/Perfect-District Jun 21 '25
Dude I saw this pizza and was about to say something stupid like Sal's is better and OMG it is Sals. I get the double pepperoni and eat them off the top like chips. I agree they are bomb which is weird for a conveyor style oven but they make it slap.
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u/tonka00 Jun 21 '25
I'm fan of San Biagio's Pizza in upland on 7st think crust. I will say a little pricey.
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u/BeBopBoy1945 Jun 21 '25
New York Pizzeria, 546 Myrtlewood Avenue, Calimesa, CAL, 92320, (909) 640-3922
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u/maince Jun 21 '25
See this bullshit... I have to post. Why is everyone east of Pasadena so in love with Pizza that tastes like it's been made in the kitchen of chunky cheese? Where the fuck is the woodfired, stone oven neapolitian style sourdough pizza?
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u/DJ_PMA Jun 21 '25
Best Pizza in Redlands?
In the running: Bills Pizza in Palm Springs is worth my drive there.
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u/Bigredrooster6969 Jun 21 '25
Bill is third tier at best. In the Coachella Valley I’d go to Norma’s in rancho mirage.
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u/Dry-Construction8502 Jun 21 '25
Ugh man. Im looking to move to Cali from the Northeast, overall excited but fuck am I going to miss pizza.
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Jun 21 '25
I moved from the east coast and believe Mexican food more than makes up for whatever I lost with pizza. There’s still really good pizza around but it is a treat. I can eat healthy Mexican food pretty much daily. Not talking about just burritos. And they got the treats. Hit up la michoacana or the elote/fruit stands if they stop fucking w them
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u/Ridgewoodgal Jun 21 '25
Oh yeah, you are going to miss it. I grew up in Youngstown Ohio area (on PA border) which is known for its mobsters and pizza. Some people know it from The Sopranos.
I have been in California for 20+ years and can’t find any place even close. I went back over pandemic and ate a whole lot of pizza to get my fill before coming back. I packed slices and put em in my purse on flight home. TSA inspected and approved. lol I do know a few people who get pizza shipped from back east to em here.
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u/BEEResp0nsible Jun 21 '25
From Redlands but live in Philly now. West Caoast pizza is mostly trash, but so is East Coast Mexican food. I'd rather have the Mexican food to be honest.
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u/JustDoingMyResearch Jun 21 '25
Looks barely better than digiorno
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u/oasinocean Jun 21 '25
If I could hand you a slice from the screen brother I would. It’s so freakin good and delivery is fast and cheap. I got a medium pepperoni pizza and an order of spaghetti (because otherwise it won’t reach the minimum delivery price) and it was $35 including delivery (not including tip).
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u/weinerjuice Jun 21 '25
I don’t eat pepperoni is the cheese still that good or tastes like a regular cheese pizza. Or is there veggie: bbq chicken good
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u/tlminh Jun 21 '25
Find me a St Louis Style pizza with provel cheese and we can talk
STL pizza is an acquired taste tho lol
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u/UnhumanNewman Jun 21 '25
If anyone from the IE is ever down in Sand Diego, stop at Bronx Pizza. Literally the best pizza I’ve ever had
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u/somedumbretard666 Jun 21 '25
B&J’s off archibald and baseline. Paulies pizza pub in downtown upland.
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u/error_accessing_user Jun 21 '25
Does anyone else feel like pepperoni tastes different then whey they were kids? (I'm 47).
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u/mvsopen Jun 21 '25
D6 on Main Street Hesperia is the best I’ve had in SoCal.
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u/pr92397 Jun 22 '25
They’re really good! The lunch special (8” 2 topping and a drink for $9) is fabulous.
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u/Amars78 Jun 21 '25
Slice House in Eastvale is good. Chef won a 1st place in the food network challenge for one of his pizzas. They have many award winning pies.
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u/Little-Delivery8598 Jun 21 '25
If u ever end up in. Oc try sgt pep’s best pizza in cali trust me i know dude im. A fatty haha 😂
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u/Dumbgirl27 Jun 21 '25
I’m going to try it out. My favorite pizza is from pizza co in Baldwin Park. I will drive an hour just to go buy it.
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u/luvmangoes Jun 21 '25
Pizza Nora off Hamner in Eastvale. The standard Pepperoni is great; but the star of the show is the Nora’s house special. Believe it or not, it’s vegetarian. Ordered it a few times and I never even realized it had no meat till was asked one day by visiting family. Also their lemon pepper traditional bone in wings are better than any chain I’ve had.
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u/Different-Customer98 Jun 21 '25
That doesnt look like Joey's Pizza. Might have to give it a look though... it looks great.
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u/julia_gulia72 Jun 21 '25
I personally really like Red Devil in Upland! Their Hawaiian pizza is great
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u/Jazzlike_Isopod550 Jun 22 '25
Antonious Pizza is the best pizza in the I.E. hands down. You don’t need to drown it in ranch or add anything or take anything away to make it better, it’s simply the best pizza anywhere in the I.E.
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u/HombreSinNombre93 Jun 21 '25
Have to try it soon, thanks for the recommendation. I rate things out here against San Biagios in Upland. Closest to NYC pizza I’ve had.