Highlights
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oChef » Knockout – San Diego
Knockout - San Diego
Photo from Knockout
Knockout at a glance
San Diego Sorrento Valley
- 🍕 Pizzeria
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 21 of the guests
#651 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#50 Pizzeria out of 68 in San Diego
Average
5.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
404
Reviews
51.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- East Coast pizza
- Lunch deals
- Cool decor
Frequently criticized
- Rude staff
- Poor cleanliness
- Food inconsistency
The restaurant Knockout Pizzeria in San Diego’s vibrant Sorrento Valley neighborhood is your go-to spot for delicious pizza. This casual pizzeria offers a fantastic atmosphere, especially if you’re looking to catch a game, as sports are a key highlight here.
Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a full dinner, you’ll find a welcoming environment perfect for a casual meal with friends or family. You can enjoy your meal with convenient dine-in or takeout options.
Overview: Introducting Knockout
Knockout offers a casual spot where many appreciate the friendly staff and the East Coast style pizza. Customers often find the lunch specials to be a good deal, making it a convenient option for a quick bite.
The atmosphere, with its unique decor, also gets some positive remarks. However, experiences can vary, with some encountering rude service or issues with cleanliness.
There are also concerns about the food quality, specifically regarding blandness or inconsistent preparation, and some find the pricing to be a bit high for what’s offered.
Average
5.5
out of 10
404
Reviews
51.2%
Satisfaction
171
negative
26
neutral
207
positive
Looking at the overall picture, Knockout holds an average Restaurant Score of 5.5, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at a mixed 51.2%. This indicates a place with some clear strengths but also areas needing attention.
These figures are drawn from over 400 customer opinions, with 207 positive and 171 negative sentiments expressed. Digging deeper, the Food (5.9) and Value (6.6) topics generally receive more favorable feedback, suggesting that many find the offerings worthwhile for the price.
However, Ambience (5) and especially Service (4.5) show room for improvement, as these areas frequently draw more critical comments from patrons.
What people like
- East Coast style pizza
- Good lunch deals
- Cool decor/concept
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor cleanliness
- Inconsistent food quality
With a Recommendation Score of 5.5, Knockout presents a mixed experience. If you’re seeking a quick, reasonably priced lunch featuring East Coast style pizza and don’t mind a casual, sometimes inconsistent, atmosphere, it could be worth a try.
However, be prepared for potential service issues or varying food quality. While the value can be appealing, those prioritizing consistent service and pristine surroundings might find themselves looking elsewhere for a more reliable dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Knockout
Food (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 86% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners rave about the authentic New York-style pizza, praising its delicious taste, crispy crust, and generous toppings. The calzones, especially with their ricotta, also get a lot of love, making it a popular lunch spot. With 124 positive remarks, theres definitely a lot to enjoy here.
However, the food experience isnt always perfect, reflected in an average score of 5.9 and mixed customer satisfaction at 55.9%. Some of the 82 negative comments point to issues like greasy, stale, or soggy crusts, minimal toppings, and a general lack of flavor in certain dishes. It seems consistency can be a challenge.
Food
222
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
82
negative
16
neutral
124
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic NY pizza
- Delicious calzones
- Good slice deals
What people don't like
- Greasy, stale food
- Soggy crust
- Sparse toppings
Often praised
- pizzaThis place has been my go-to lunch spot for the last 3 years. It's a great mom and pop place with awesome East Coast style pizza you can get by the slice or whole. You can't beat 2 slices and a drink for under $10.
- foodfood is always fresh and tastes great !
- crustthe crust has a nice crunch to it
- toppingsThis place used to be just okay, but I gave them another chance and they do keep getting better each time. I really like their calzones; they don't skimp on the ricotta and they put in plenty of the toppings I ask for. The cannolis are also really decent and always crunchy.
- cheesethere's more cheese (if you like that)
- lunchThe service was really great, and everyone was always really nice to me. The food was also great, especially as after school food and good for lunch the next day!
- piesup to 8 pies out at any given time
- saladthe salad didnt have any iceberg lettuce
- thin crustGreat thin crust
- thin crust pizzaBest thin crust pizza i have had
Frequently criticized
- pizzaMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. I was served burnt and out all day pizza. The owner was not cordial in any way; asking a question resulted in a yes or no answer with a look of disgust.
- crustcrust of the pizza was lacking and uneventful
- foodThe food wasn't even good
- wingsThe wings weren’t cooked in our order properly
- disgustingmy drink was completely disgusting and undrinkable
- flavorThe toppings were sparse, requiring a magnifying glass to find, and seemed carelessly thrown on. The most concerning aspect was the complete lack of flavor and crunchiness. The dough was thin, soft, and flavorless, almost necessitating cutlery.
- greaseMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. While I found their pie to be decent, it was a bit heavy on the grease and the crust was quite soggy. However, I did appreciate their cool concept.
- pizzasstarted pulling all the pizzas off the shelf
- toppingsMy experience was okay. I ordered what I expected to be New York style pizza, but it was a thin, floppy crust with minimal toppings. It wasn't very filling, and I doubt it could be shared by four or even three people.
- ArtichokesArtichokes, no flavor and there were only a smidge of them
If youre craving a classic NY-style slice and catch them on a good day, you might find a delicious meal. But be aware that some experiences have been less than stellar, with concerns about grease and freshness. Its a bit of a gamble, but potentially worth it for the right pizza.
Service (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot has some real shining moments! Many customers have raved about the friendly staff, with shout-outs to specific employees and even the owner, Raul. Youll often find praise for the fast service and quick order pickups, making for a generally good experience, as seen in 48 positive remarks.
However, the experience isnt always smooth sailing, with a customer satisfaction rating of just 40.3% and an overall service score of 4.5, placing it in the average to mixed category. There are 67 negative comments, frequently mentioning rude responses, poor customer service, and frustratingly long waiting times, especially concerning the owner's attitude and delivery issues.
Service
119
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
67
negative
4
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Owner is friendly
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor customer service
- Long wait times
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant offered great value and friendly service. I had the option to either purchase pizza that was already prepared and could be reheated in the oven, or to wait for a fresh pizza to be made.
- deliveryThe cannolis are also really decent and always crunchy. I have only ever ordered delivery here and I would recommend it.
- ownerOwner was friendly
- staffThe staff is always friendly
- 2 gentlemenThis restaurant is a great option when your friends and family don't want chain pizza. The 2 gentlemen that helped us were very nice.
- StaffVery Friendly Staff
- attitudehis attitude made the experience great
- availabilityMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed their great pizza and appreciated how available fast it was. They offer a lunch special that includes two slices with a drink for $7, which is a fantastic deal.
- better serviceYou can also get better service
- cashierCashier was friendly
Frequently criticized
- customer service” He looked at me as if I asked for $100 and then reluctantly gave me the slice I wanted. Terrible customer service and also my same order that was around $9 is now $12. I won’t be coming here anymore and I genuinely hope this place goes out of business.
- serviceI have never been treated worse in my entire life. The staff were RUDE RUDE RUDE. I strongly advise others to do not support this establishment if this is how they treat their customers.
- ownerI was served burnt and out all day pizza. The owner was not cordial in any way; asking a question resulted in a yes or no answer with a look of disgust. I visited while out of town and was grossed out by the owner's deportment and his food.
- rudeThe staff member was very rude
- staffthe staff did not wanted to serve me
- deliveryordered online for 11.45 delivery, no one showed up
- hours of operationhours of operation were recently updated
- RaulRaul was really rude and grumpy
- adjust the timeIF you want people to not go eat there at a certain time, adjust the time
- catering jobsother catering jobs were already in line before me
If you catch them on a good day, you might experience friendly staff and quick service, which can make for a pleasant visit. However, be prepared for a potentially mixed bag, as there's a notable chance of encountering rudeness or frustrating delays, making it a bit of a gamble.
Ambience (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
The ambience here is a real mixed bag, scoring an average 5 with 47.8% customer satisfaction. Many appreciate the mom and pop pizzeria feel, noting the good location and decor with cool New York subway maps. There's also praise for space to sit and indoors and outdoors seating, based on 11 positive observations.
However, the atmosphere takes a hit from 11 other comments. A significant concern is cleanliness, with multiple mentions of dirty tables and filthy tables and floor. Some found the interior is lacking, describing the place as disgusting and messy, which can detract from the dining experience.
Ambience
23
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
11
negative
1
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cool decor and concept
- Ample seating and parking
- Good location
What people don't like
- Poor cleanliness
- Dirty tables and floors
- Lacking interior
Often praised
- TVs2 big screen TVs to watch sports
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- concepttheir concept is cool
- decorI love the decor with New York subway maps on the tables
- good locationgood location
- indoors and outdoors seatingThere is indoors and outdoors seating
- lunch spotGreat lunch spot
- mom and pop pizzeriaA nice mom and pop kind of pizzeria
- parking lotDecent sized parking lot
- place for lunchGreat place for lunch
Frequently criticized
- tablesthe tables were all dirty both times
- atmospherespot that looks just like their foul attitude
- chairsHowever, the interior was lacking. Some new chairs at a taller height would be welcome.
- cleanlinesscleanliness is terrible
- dirtyThe food wasn't even good compared to other Italian/pizza places. It was a rude, dirty, and slow experience with not even good food.
- interiorThe interior is lacking
- mopping the floorsThey were mopping the floors at 9:30 pm
- restaurant atmospherethe place is disgusting and messy
- shopWhy don’t you close your shop if you don’t want to be there ?
- tables and floorThe tables and floor look like a barn and are filthy
If youre looking for a casual spot with a cool concept and dont mind potentially overlooking some cleanliness issues, it might be worth a try. However, if a pristine environment is a must-have for you, you might find yourself disappointed.
Value (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has a lot going for it! Many folks rave about the price and fantastic deals, especially the popular lunch special combos like two slices and a drink. Customers frequently mention how reasonably priced everything is, often saying you cant beat the value.
With 24 positive remarks out of 40 total, its clear many feel theyre getting a good bang for their buck. However, its not all sunshine and savings. Some customers have felt it leans towards budget pizza or can be surprisingly expensive for what you get.
There are also comments about it being overpriced for the quality, with a few even calling it a waste of money. While the overall score is an average 6.6 and customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 60%, these 11 negative comments suggest room for improvement.
Value
40
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
11
negative
5
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great lunch deals
- Reasonable combo prices
- Affordable menu
What people don't like
- Can be overpriced
- Perceived "budget" quality
- Inconsistent pricing
Often praised
- lunch speciallunch special which was 2 slices and drink $ 8.50 3 slices and drink for $11. Deff better than one slice
- pricevery reasonable price for two slices and a soda
- pricesThis is our favorite pizza place, hands down. We experienced great quality and good prices. It's always a hit!
- $7for $7
- $7 after tax$7 after tax.
- $9 bucksPretty great deal for $9 bucks!
- 2 slice and a drink dealcan't beat it
- 2 slices and a drinkCan't beat 2 slices and a drink for under $10
- 2 slices and a sodaYou can get 2 slices and a soda for $6.50
- 3-slice deal3-slice deal ($8.75, free drink)
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was horribly greasy and overpriced for the quality. When picking up a slice of pizza, I had to pat it down with napkins because there was a pool of grease on top, which is not right.
- budget pizzait feels like budget pizza
- dealsI called this place and they were so rude when I asked what kind of deals they had. The person on the phone said, "NO, we don't give out free food.
- free foodwe dont give out free food
- pricingrandomly pricey for whatever reason
- same order” He looked at me as if I asked for $100 and then reluctantly gave me the slice I wanted. Terrible customer service and also my same order that was around $9 is now $12. I won’t be coming here anymore and I genuinely hope this place goes out of business.
- slice of pizzapricing for a slice of pizza by itself seemed to be close to $4-$5
- waste of $33What a waste of $33!!!!
If you're looking for a solid lunch deal, especially their slice and drink combos, this place could be a real winner for your wallet. However, be mindful that some find the regular pricing a bit steep for the quality, so stick to the specials for the best value experience.
How are the prices at Knockout?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 21 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.
While the average sits at 19, most guests actually spend in the 1 – 20 $ range, indicating a generally affordable spot with a few options for a more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 21 reviews.
How this Pizzeria’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
We think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Pizzeria, especially since there are options for both budget-conscious diners and those looking for something a bit more special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Knockout
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Greasy and Overpriced Pizza
My experience at this restaurant was horribly greasy and overpriced for the quality. When picking up a slice of pizza, I had to pat it down with napkins because there was a pool of grease on top, which is not right.
- grease2
- quality2
- price2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Rude Staff, Early Pizza Removal
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. We arrived 30 minutes before closing, and despite not being busy, they began removing pizzas from the shelf. It felt like they didn't want our business.
The young staff members were rude and inconsiderate. We ended up taking our service elsewhere.
- pizzas2
- young workers1
- service1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Pizza Experience
My experience at the restaurant was not the best. I went at 4 o'clock and the pizza looked like it had been sitting in the glass container for hours before being thrown in the oven. While it wasn't the best, the price was $9 for two slices and a drink.
- two slices and a drink5
- pizza2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Colleagues
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
6
Potential but Needs Improvement
I gave Knockout Pizzeria two tries, first grabbing a slice and then ordering a couple of fresh pies to see how they held up straight out of the oven. The staff member was super friendly, and I appreciated how affordable the menu is, especially with some solid deals. Delivery time was as expected.
That said, the pizza itself didn’t quite land for me. The single slice I bought tasted a bit stale (would not recommend), and even the fresh pie I got for my office team members, while better, was very greasy and had quite a bit of flop. The crust has a nice thin base and some flavor, but it was a bit chewy.
They all told me to not order from here again. : (I think if they baked the pizzas a little longer, cut down on the oil, and used fresher ingredients, this place could really shine — even if it meant raising the price a bit. Right now, it feels like budget pizza, and personally, I’d rather just grab a slice at Costco.
But with a few improvements, it has the potential to be something great.
- staff member10
- affordable the menu8
- crust5
- stale2
- greasy3
- flop3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Absolutely Love This Place!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I absolutely love this place :). The service was fast, the pizza was delicious, and the people were kind.
The location is also very good. I can't ask for anything else.
- fast service10
- delicious pizza10
- kind people10
What Knockout offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Knockout Pizzeria accessible and easy to park at?
Yes, you’ll find Knockout Pizzeria is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms. Plus, parking is usually plentiful with free street parking and a free parking lot available for your convenience.
Does Knockout Pizzeria cater to families and those with dietary needs?
Absolutely! Knockout Pizzeria is good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs. For dietary preferences, you’ll be pleased to know they provide excellent vegetarian options alongside their classic offerings.
How does Knockout generally rate among customers?
Knockout has an average Restaurant Score of 5.5 and a mixed Customer Satisfaction of 51.2%. While **Food** (5.9) and **Value** (6.6) are seen as average, **Ambience** (5) and **Service** (4.5) show more room for improvement.
What kind of pizza does Knockout offer?
Knockout is known for its East Coast style pizza, often praised for its thin crust and fresh ingredients, available by the slice or whole.
Are there any common complaints about Knockout's service or cleanliness?
Some customers have reported issues with rude staff and inconsistent service. Additionally, cleanliness, particularly regarding tables and the overall interior, has been a point of concern for others.