1. Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store
2300 SE Bristol St Ste F, Newport Beach; 949-852-9500; sgtpepps.com
Kids love pizza and the secret behind great pizza is awesome ingredients. At Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store, the staff is committed to grating more than four tons of mozzarella cheese and making 500 gallons of pizza sauce monthly — now that’s a lot of pizza.
The store has been in operation since 1976 and uses only the freshest ingredients. Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store introduced a pizza catering truck in 2019 to deliver the freshest pizzas across Orange County. Equipped with a full kitchen on board, the truck makes pizza to order and serves it hot and fresh.
East Coast pizza lovers will be happy to know that this pizza place subscribes to the Eastern take on pizza, and we all know quality New York style pizza is not an easy find in Southern California. It is also a great place for families to enjoy a quality meal or pick up some swanky swag. An example of their funny shirts is the Pink Floyd interpretation of pizza as the shirt states it’s the “dark side of the pie.”
The menu caters to pizza lovers from all walks of life as the restaurant offers the famous pizza shop appetizer, garlic knots, as well as its own staple Great Balls of Fire, which is pizza dough stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, and tomato. The menu has lots of pizza options including margherita, buffalo chicken, the works, Sgt. Pepperoni’s version of Hawaiian pie, or guests can build their own pizzas. The prices of the lunch deals offered can’t be beat as guests can get two slices of pizza and a soda for less than $10.
2. Ruby’s Diner
Multiple locations; rubys.com
For all those looking to add a touch of vintage to their dining experience, head to Ruby’s Diner where the atmosphere takes guests straight back to the 1940s. Cape Cod native Doug Cavanaugh created Ruby’s in 1980. He remembered seeing an old, dilapidated building at the end of the Balboa Pier after taking a jog and realized it would be the perfect spot for a family restaurant.
Enter the concept of emulating an American diner from the good old days. Each location has its own transportation theme, and is designed with 1940s décor and nostalgic menu items. Kids can try a signature milkshake or get vanilla or chocolate syrup added to their cola, but the real crown jewel of the menu is their burgers like their mushroom Swiss, cobb, and Ruby Melt burgers.
Ruby’s also has great sandwiches, fresh salads, and all day breakfast. Get a basket of frings, which is a combo plate of French fries and Ruby Rings to pair with a burger or take part in the all day breakfast, which has everything from French toast to corned beef and hash.
3. Stonefire Grill
Multiple locations; stonefiregrill.com
Stonefire Grill is a family restaurant started by the Harrigan family, which had 11 people altogether within their clan. Said to be “simply and lovingly prepared with both taste and budget in mind,” Stonefire Grill came to fruition in the summer of 2000 when sisters Mary and Maureen Harrigan put their heads together to create the family favorite restaurant.
The menu is immense, and caters to every kind of diner-goer. Eat from the crowd pleasers menu, which boast hearty favorites for larger groups like whole tri-tip and a full slab of ribs, whole chicken and tri-tip, or a whole chicken and full slab of ribs.
The pizza is to die for as Stonefire Grill offers a traditional cheese, pepperoni, the works, or mesquite barbeque. Pair a meal with a fresh salad as it has five options to choose from including a Caesar, classic cobb, or zesty signature BBQ chopped salad. There is also a kids menu for picky eaters including chicken strips, mac and cheese, and a 7-inch pizza.
