Tuesday 5th of January 2010 10:47:56 PM

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The Solana Beach Pizza Port location definitely has that southern California beach feel. Then add in some great craft beers and food and what more could you ask for.

The tables are lines of picnic table stretching from door to back wall; somewhat reminiscent of the beer halls in Germany. The surf boards though ensure one that they are definitely someplace else.

Beer selection during my visits has always been diverse and beer quality is excellent. Staff were very friendly and service was superior. Definitely worth visiting when in the area.

Tuesday 28th of October 2008 03:53:43 PM

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Think of the cool, beach-side pizza joint you went to in high school, but add the really good microbrew that you're now able to drink. Sounds nice, right? Well, that's Pizza Port.
The Solana Beach location is just a couple of blocks from the ocean and it seems to feed in off of that vibe. Long, wooden tables are the theme here so, if you don't like eating next to someone that you don't know, you may want to come during the off-peak hours. There isn't really a bar, and the beer taps are right next to the pizza ovens.
We went in on a Saturday for lunch and were shocked to find a slice + salad + beer lunch special available that day for only about $6. Spectacularly cheap for SoCal standards, but especially so considering that the salad was less a salad and more having fun with the "How much veggies can we fit into our wooden bowls" question. Seriously, this was a huge salad, and, even though I don't use that much dressing, the little packet provided didn't even come close to being enough. And it wasn't that garbage iceberg, but really good stuff: lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms and even bell peppers.
But what about the beer? Along with their own brews, of which they had quite a few, they had a slew of California brews on tap, running the gauntlet from a Sierra Nevada that I had never heard of to an Alpine Brewing, which is a local SD brewery.
They had a pale (I believe the Overhead) on cask, so I got that, although I was told that this was not a part of the lunch special, but it only ran me about $4. Good stuff, but not quite the hoppy punch that I typically like. My companion got the rice ale (yes, rice) and that was wonderful. Kind of like an amber but with a really nice, slightly sweet taste. I got another one to finish off before walking to the beach and decided on the Seaside Stout. I like my stouts heavier than this, and, honestly, it tasted uncannily like Guinness, but better.
Parking is available in a small lot at the Lomas Santa Fe/Coast Highway intersection with 2- and 4-hour spaces. It's also right across the street from the Solana Beach Coaster station.