The Best Things We Ate in January (Santa Cruz Pizza Edition)
January leaned heavy on pizza, and honestly, no complaints. A few spots around Santa Cruz and Watsonville put out pies that stuck with us, not just for the toppings but for the way the dough, texture, and flavors came together.
If you’re looking for the best pizza in Santa Cruz right now or trying to figure out which pop-ups are worth tracking down, start here.
Elote Pizza at La Pizza Piccolo
La Pizza Piccolo is doing pop-ups that feel worth planning your day around.
The elote pizza sounds like a gimmick until you try it. Sweet corn, creamy elements, a little heat, all sitting on top of dough that’s made from scratch and actually has flavor on its own. The crust comes out light with a good chew, which keeps the whole thing from getting too heavy.
If you’re searching for “unique pizza Santa Cruz” or trying to find a pop-up that’s doing something different with ingredients, this is one to follow closely.
Da 4 ⭐ Tavern Style at Girasol Pizza
Girasol Pizza is holding it down with tavern-style pizza, and the Da 4 Star is the one we keep thinking about.
This is that thin, cracker-style crust that stays rigid when you pick it up. No flop, no sag, just a clean bite every time. It’s cut into squares, so you get a mix of center pieces and edge pieces, and yes, you want an edge slice first.
Toppings here are dialed: house-made chicken sausage, cheese, whole olives, pepperoni. It’s simple on paper, but the balance is what makes it work.
If you’re Googling “thin crust pizza Santa Cruz” or “tavern style pizza near me,” this should be on your list.
Barking Dogs at Pogonip Pizza
Pogonip Pizza is one of the newer pizza spots in town, and they’re not playing it safe.
The Barking Dogs pizza starts with a dough that lands somewhere between a New York slice and a Neapolitan pie. You get structure, but also that airy chew.
Then it goes off-script. Pickles, pepperoni, and ranch dust. It shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it hits that salty, tangy, savory mix that keeps you reaching for another slice.
Grab a side of ranch and lean into it.
If you’re looking up “best new pizza Santa Cruz” or “creative pizza toppings near me,” this is exactly the kind of thing you’re hoping to find.