Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Giovanni’s – San Diego
Giovanni's - San Diego
Photo from Giovanni’s
Giovanni's at a glance
San Diego Core-Columbia
- 🍕 Pizzeria
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 75 of the guests
#487 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#41 Pizzeria out of 68 in San Diego
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
398
Reviews
67.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Good value
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Hidden fees
- Poor facilities
- Service inconsistency
The restaurant Giovanni’s, a beloved pizzeria in San Diego’s Core-Columbia neighborhood, invites you to experience its cozy and casual atmosphere. You can enjoy delicious Italian-style pizzas and small plates, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
With options for dine-in, takeout, and even no-contact delivery, it’s designed for your convenience.
Overview: Introducting Giovanni's
Giovanni’s offers a casual spot where the focus is clearly on the food. Many patrons rave about the `flavor` and `crust` of their pizza, often finding it a `decent price` for the quality.
It’s a straightforward place that delivers on its core offering. However, some experiences suggest that while the food shines, other aspects can be less consistent.
Issues like `additional request` charges and the basic `decor` occasionally temper the overall impression, indicating areas where the experience could be smoother.
Good
6.8
out of 10
398
Reviews
67.1%
Satisfaction
108
negative
23
neutral
267
positive
Giovanni’s holds a solid Restaurant Score of 6.8, placing it in the good category, while Customer Satisfaction sits at a mixed 67.1%. This suggests a generally positive reception, though there’s room for improvement in some areas.
The most talked-about aspect, Food (7.5), clearly stands out as a strength, reflecting many positive comments about its quality. Delving deeper, Service (5.6) appears to be an average point, with some customers noting room for improvement.
The Ambience (6.2) is also considered average, often described as simple but functional. Finally, Value (6.3) is seen as fair, though some specific charges have drawn criticism.
These insights are drawn from 398 customer opinions, comprising 267 positive and 108 negative remarks.
What people like
- Delicious pizza and calzones
- Good value for money
- Friendly, helpful staff
What people don't like
- Unexpected extra charges
- Limited parking, no bathroom
- Occasional service issues
Giovanni’s is a place worth considering if you prioritize good, straightforward pizza and don’t mind a no-frills setting. With a Recommendation Score of 7, it suggests that for many, the positives outweigh the negatives, especially when it comes to the main dishes.
If you’re seeking a quick, satisfying meal with a focus on taste and reasonable pricing, Giovanni’s could be a good fit. Just be mindful of potential extra charges and the casual atmosphere, and you’ll likely find it a reliable option.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Giovanni's
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 90% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7.5 and a solid customer satisfaction of 75.8%. Many patrons, 166 to be exact, rave about the delicious pizza, great crust, and fresh ingredients, often highlighting the generous toppings and overall flavor. Theres a clear appreciation for the variety and quality of dishes available.
However, not every experience is perfect, with 36 comments pointing out some areas for improvement. Concerns occasionally arise regarding a doughy or burnt crust, watery sauce, or toppings that dont stay put. A few customers also noted issues with food not being as fresh as expected, suggesting some inconsistency.
Food
219
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
36
negative
17
neutral
166
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious pizza
- Great crust
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Doughy/burnt crust
- Watery sauce
- Toppings fall off
Often praised
- pizzaThe atmosphere is nice, simple, and offers the possibility of a brief break in the center of San Diego, with the view of the trolley passing by! The pizza is decent, thin, and has a fragrant crust! Honestly, I prefer it to many others I've tried in America.
- foodI watched the staff firmly and kindly redirect a transient visitor, and I appreciated the respectful exchange. Our food was AMAZING! The kids shared a 10" with extra +extra cheese --- such good quality mozzarella!
- crustThis was our first time at this place, and we were absolutely blown away by the flavor. The crust was perfectly balanced – neither too thick nor too thin – and offered a wonderfully satisfying crunch from the first bite all the way through. The perfect amount of toppings did not fall off.
- calzoneMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the fresh and fine ingredients in the delicious calzone. It's my favorite takeout, and it came in a beautiful sturdy box, perfect for my train ride.
- toppingsThe crust was perfectly balanced – neither too thick nor too thin – and offered a wonderfully satisfying crunch from the first bite all the way through. The perfect amount of toppings did not fall off. I'd highly recommend this place and definitely plan to return.
- chicken wingsThey have several daily specials. I got a plain cheese slice and 4 chicken wings for around $9. It took about 20 minutes because the wings were made to order 😊.
- flavorThis was our first time at this place, and we were absolutely blown away by the flavor. The crust was perfectly balanced – neither too thick nor too thin – and offered a wonderfully satisfying crunch from the first bite all the way through.
- pepperoni pizzaThe pepperoni pizza was delicious
- saladSalad was so fresh it tasted like it came straight out of the garden
- sauceThe crust and sauce were amazingly flavorful
Frequently criticized
- pizzaI observed a worker rotating the pizza in the oven at the last minute, and it was ice cold just five minutes after we received it at the hotel. The pizza was very hard to eat and did not settle well afterwards.
- foodThe food made me incredibly nauseous
- Caesar saladCaesar salad doesn’t contain chicken
- Italian foodThis is not real Italian food
- alfredothe alfredo caused me to immediately throw up
- breadthe bread was burnt in spots
- calzonethe calzone was not fully cooked
- chickenCaesar salad doesn’t contain chicken
- crustThe crust was thin and surprisingly not crisp and did not have much flavor.
- dishesthrow up from the dishes
If youre looking for generally delicious pizza with a great crust and fresh ingredients, this place is a good bet. Just be aware that some experiences mention inconsistencies with crust quality or sauce, so manage your expectations. Overall, its worth a try for a satisfying meal.
Service (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
When it comes to service, many customers have had a great experience, with 52 positive remarks highlighting the friendly and attentive staff who often go above and beyond. People frequently praise the quick order preparation and excellent customer service, making visits smooth and pleasant. However, the overall score of 5.6 and a customer satisfaction of 52% suggest a mixed bag, with 45 negative opinions pointing to significant issues.
Concerns include long waiting times, rude staff attitudes, and poor customer service, which can unfortunately detract from the experience.
Service
100
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
45
negative
3
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick order preparation
- Excellent customer service
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude staff attitude
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceservice were both rated a perfect 5 out of 5
- staffthe staff goes above and beyond
- peopleIt's definitely a must-stop when taking the train. The people there are really nice, and their food is spot on delicious 😋.
- ServiceService was great!
- GeorgeGeorge was great at making sure we got it the way we wanted it
- airport accessyou can take the bus (literally 10 steps around the corner) straight to airport!
- chefawesome chef who puts their heart into the details
- convenienceIt's a life saver when you're waiting for the train
- cool languageThe food was bomb, and the prices were not too bad. I also enjoyed the soccer game and the cool language the staff was speaking, contributing to a great atmosphere.
- customer serviceGreat customer service
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service here needs a hard reality check!!!
- customer serviceThey burnt my pizza and then refused to give a full refund. It seems they have no concept of customer service.
- cashierThe cashier never made eye contact and was a bit grouchy.
- waiting timeIt took 35 minutes to get a 10-inch thin crust pizza.
- Italian staffnessun italiano lavora qui
- Spanishextrañamente no me quería hablar en español
- accenthanno letteralmente riso di me per l’accento italiano
- attitudethe girl in the front started giving us attitude
- contactedhow come I wasn't contacted
- deliveriesTold that they don't have any one doing deliveries
If you're looking for quick service and a friendly face, you might just hit the jackpot here. However, be prepared for the possibility of longer waits or encountering some less-than-stellar attitudes, as service quality can be inconsistent.
Ambience (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to the atmosphere, many guests (28 out of 47 comments) find plenty to enjoy! They often highlight the nice atmosphere, cleanliness, and ample seating as positives. It's frequently praised for being kid friendly and conveniently placed right by the train station, offering a peaceful environment for a quick break or to catch a soccer game.
However, the overall vibe is a bit of a mixed bag, reflected in an average score of 6.2 and a customer satisfaction of 59.6%. Some guests (17 comments) faced challenges with parking, while others found the minimal decor or unsettling transient activity outside to be a downside. A significant concern for many was the lack of working bathroom facilities, which definitely impacts the experience.
Ambience
47
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
17
negative
2
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, kid-friendly atmosphere
- Convenient train location
- Ample seating
What people don't like
- Parking is difficult
- No working restrooms
- Unsettling transient activity
Often praised
- atmosphereThis is a simple trattoria located at the Santa Fe depot in San Diego! The atmosphere is nice, simple, and offers the possibility of a brief break in the center of San Diego, with the view of the trolley passing by! The pizza is decent, thin, and has a fragrant crust!
- locationThe blue trolley opens right in front of the pizza place
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Clean restaurantClean restaurant with HD TVs
- HD TVsClean restaurant with HD TVs
- cleanlinessIt's clean
- conveniently placedconveniently placed right next to the train station
- hidden gembeautiful hidden gem
- kid friendlyKid friendly
- kid-friendlinessvery kid friendly
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereI was a bit skeptical at first because this place doesn’t look like much. The decor is minimal and the atmosphere is pretty basic. But wow, was I surprised!
- ParkingThe restaurant offers gluten-free options and allows customization of orders. Parking was not easy, which was a definite downside 😷. We visited for dinner, and the price per person was between $20–30.
- Parking optionsThe atmosphere was rated 4/5. Parking is unavailable and it's difficult to find parking.
- Parking spaceThe atmosphere was rated 4/5. Parking is unavailable and it's difficult to find parking.
- bathroomel baño no funciona
- bathroom facilitiesthere is no bathroom available
- decorI was a bit skeptical at first because this place doesn’t look like much. The decor is minimal and the atmosphere is pretty basic. But wow, was I surprised!
- grime and oil lidcovered in grime and oil and other foods
- lidwhen she gave them a lid it was dirty
- pacePace is small and very spare
If you're looking for a quick, casual stop right by the train station with a clean, kid-friendly vibe, this spot could work for you. Just be prepared for potential parking hassles and the lack of proper restrooms, which might make you opt for takeout instead.
Value (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers find the prices quite reasonable, often calling it an inexpensive spot for a good meal. With a score of 6.3, it lands in the average-to-good range, and the convenience of card and Apple Pay is a definite plus. These positive sentiments contribute to a 65.6% customer satisfaction, based on 21 positive remarks.
However, the value isnt universally praised, with 10 negative remarks pointing to some frustrations. A few customers feel its overpriced, especially due to unexpected side charges for things like tap water, ice, or fountain drink refills. There are also mentions of online prices being cheaper than in-store, which can be a bit of a surprise.
Value
32
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Easy payment options
- Good value for money
What people don't like
- Hidden extra charges
- Perceived as overpriced
- Inconsistent pricing
Often praised
- priceI got two slices of basil ricotta pizza and it was super delicious. As I've just started working downtown, this is the cheapest place I've found so far, offering amazing quality for the price. The staff was super nice, and OMG, that pizza was freaking good!
- pricesprices are very reasonable
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- $94 chicken wings ~$9
- Apple Payy Apple Pay
- card paymentAceptan pago con tarjeta
- cheapest placethis is the cheapest place I’ve found so far
- decent priceIt was perfect for a family of 4. The pizza was legitimately very good and at a decent price. Having made pizza in NYC for 10 years, I have to give them respect.
- great pricegood food at a great price, this spot delivers
- inexpensiveone of the most inexpensive places in the area
Frequently criticized
- additional requestIn hindsight, we realized that we should have also had the calzones or other items from the menu. One important tip to remember is to place all of your orders at once, as we discovered that each time we made an additional request, it resulted in an extra charge on our card.
- expensiveit's a little too expensive for what they give you
- fountain drink refillyou have to pay $1 for a fountain drink refill
- iceice in any drink isn’t free
- online pricesOnline prices are cheaper than in store prices
- overpricedOverpriced and disgusting
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The pizza was way over priced and the dough was really doughy with not a lot of flavor, even for a margarita pizza. To make matters worse, they charge $1 for a fountain drink refill, which is outrageous considering how inexpensive fountain soda is.
- side chargesthere are a lot of side charges
- tap waterTap water in a plastic cup is $1
- toppingTopping 4 bucks each
If you're seeking an inexpensive meal and appreciate reasonable prices, this spot could be a solid choice. Just be mindful of potential extra charges for things like tap water or drink refills to ensure your bill aligns with expectations.
How are the prices at Giovanni's?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 75 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Pizzeria, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find themselves spending in that sweet spot, with a good number also enjoying options in the $1–$10 range, suggesting a nice mix of value-focused choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 75 reviews.
Heres how this Pizzerias value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Pizzeria in San Diego, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers a good balance, making it accessible for a casual meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Giovanni's
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Blown Away by Flavor and Crunch!
This was our first time at this place, and we were absolutely blown away by the flavor. The crust was perfectly balanced – neither too thick nor too thin – and offered a wonderfully satisfying crunch from the first bite all the way through. The perfect amount of toppings did not fall off.
I'd highly recommend this place and definitely plan to return.
- flavor10
- crust9
- crunch10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
10
Best Pizza in San Diego!
While waiting for the trolley, I grabbed a slice of pizza and it was the best pizza in San Diego! 🙀
- pizza10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Delicious Pizza, Basic Vibes, Great Price
I was a bit skeptical at first because this place doesn’t look like much. The decor is minimal and the atmosphere is pretty basic. But wow, was I surprised!
The pizza was delicious, with a very good flavor that totally exceeded my expectations. It’s also cheap, which makes it even better. If you’re looking for fancy vibes, this isn’t it.
But if you care about good food at a great price, this spot delivers, at least at happy hours.
- pizza9
- flavor9
- price10
- decor3
- atmosphere3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
1
Terrible Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly disappointing. The service needs a serious improvement; the lady who assisted us during dinner was very rude and made us feel uncomfortable with her responses. The food was also a major issue, making me feel incredibly nauseous and it did not look right.
It was overpriced and frankly, disgusting. I would advise against going here if you want to avoid throwing up from the dishes or the hospitality.
- service1
- lady1
- food1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
1
Rude Service Ruined the Experience
I was trying to enjoy my food when one of the waiters was very rude and disrespectful to a mother and child next to me. Not only did she give inappropriate responses to what I believe are regular requests for a waiter, like “can I have a box? ”, but when she gave them a lid, it was dirty.
I was appalled by her behavior and won’t be returning.
- waiter1
- responses1
- lid1
What Giovanni's offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What service options are available at Giovanni's Trattoria?
Giovanni’s Trattoria offers a range of convenient service options to suit your needs. You can enjoy a meal with table service, opt for quick takeout, or have your order delivered, including no-contact delivery for added safety.
Is Giovanni's Trattoria accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, Giovanni’s Trattoria is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. It’s also great for kids, providing high chairs and a welcoming environment for families.
How does Giovanni's generally rate with customers?
Giovanni’s holds a Restaurant Score of 6.8 and a Customer Satisfaction of 67.1%. Its Food (7.5) is a standout, while Value (6.3) and Ambience (6.2) are average, and Service (5.6) could use improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about Giovanni's pizza?
Customers frequently praise Giovanni’s pizza for its `flavor`, `crust` (neither too thick nor too thin), and generous `toppings`. Many find it a `decent price` for the quality.
Are there any common complaints regarding Giovanni's pricing or facilities?
Some customers express concern over `additional request` charges, `fountain drink refill` fees, and the lack of `bathroom facilities`. `Parking` can also be a challenge.