Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
oChef » Papa Johns Pizza – San Diego
Papa Johns Pizza - San Diego
Photo from Papa Johns Pizza
Papa Johns Pizza at a glance
San Diego Mid-City
- 🍕 Pizzeria
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#689 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#55 Pizzeria out of 68 in San Diego
Average
4.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
221
Reviews
40.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly delivery
- Good deals
- Easy ordering
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- Poor service
- High prices
The restaurant Papa Johns Pizza in San Diego’s vibrant Mid-City neighborhood offers you a classic pizzeria experience. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal, whether you’re grabbing lunch, dinner, or even a late-night bite.
With convenient service options like no-contact delivery and takeout, enjoying your favorite pizza is always easy. This spot is known for its reliable service and delicious offerings, making it a go-to for many locals.
Overview: Introducting Papa Johns Pizza
Papa Johns Pizza offers a rather mixed experience, often shining brightest when it comes to convenient delivery. Many appreciate the friendly delivery drivers and the ease of ordering through their app.
However, the overall experience can be inconsistent, particularly concerning the food itself. While some find their pizzas satisfying with generous toppings, others report issues with sparse ingredients and inconsistent preparation.
The in-store customer service can also be a point of contention, leading to varied opinions on a visit.
Average
4.9
out of 10
221
Reviews
40.3%
Satisfaction
115
negative
17
neutral
89
positive
Papa Johns Pizza holds an overall score of 4.9, placing it squarely in the average category. This is reflected in a mixed customer satisfaction rating of 40.3%, indicating that while some patrons are pleased, a significant portion leaves less impressed.
These figures are drawn from 221 customer opinions, with 89 positive remarks and 115 negative ones. Breaking down the experience, Food scores an average (5.5), with opinions often split between generous toppings and sparse ones.
Service also lands in the average range (4.4), frequently praised for polite delivery but sometimes criticized for in-store interactions. Value (5) is seen as average, often depending on available deals, while Ambience (4.5) is similarly average, with parking being a positive but lack of dining space a drawback.
What people like
- Friendly delivery drivers
- Good deals available
- Easy app ordering
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Poor in-store service
- High pricing without deals
If you’re considering Papa Johns Pizza, managing expectations is key. For a smoother experience, leverage their app for ordering and keep an eye out for their deals to maximize value.
Their delivery service often receives praise, making it a reliable choice for a night in. However, be aware that food consistency can vary, and in-store service might not always meet expectations.
It’s a place that can deliver a satisfying meal, but a 4.9 recommendation score suggests it’s not without its potential drawbacks.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Papa Johns Pizza
Food (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it seems like theres a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.5 (which is average) and customer satisfaction sitting at 45.7% (mixed). Many folks really enjoy the pizza itself, often highlighting the crust, freshness, and wings. With 42 positive remarks out of 92 total comments, its clear that when they get it right, the food can be piping hot and delicious with generous toppings.
However, there are also 41 negative comments, indicating significant areas for improvement. Common complaints revolve around burnt crust, little sauce, and issues with pizza temperature. Some even mentioned a fridge taste or concerning food safety issues like hair in pizza sticks, which are definitely dealbreakers for many.
Food
92
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
41
negative
9
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Piping hot pizza
- Fresh crust
- Generous toppings
What people don't like
- Burnt crust
- Little sauce
- Food safety concerns
Often praised
- pizzaThis place, however, is the best pizzeria delivery in the area. The first time I ordered, my large extra cheesy pizza was heavenly, with so much cheese and cooked to perfection. Whoever prepared the pizza on May 5th is the real MVP.
- cheesePapa John's pizza truly beats out all the other pizza places, even the fancy ones. The crust is soft and fresh, the pizza is piping hot, the cheese is gooey, and they are generous with toppings. It's delicious!
- foodit's sooo good
- pizzasMy experience at this restaurant was great, primarily due to their always great pizzas. The pricing is great, especially if you catch a sale.
- toppingstoppings are plentiful
- Hawaiian BBQ pizzaThe hawaiian BBQ pizza is awesome
- PizzaGreat I wanted Pizza
- Pizza Hut crustPizza Hut crust was better
- cheesy breadalways with an order of cheesy bread
- crustCrust is soft and fresh
Frequently criticized
- pizzaI am so sick of being screwed over by this Papa John's. They CONTINUE to take my money, then after over an hour of waiting for my order to arrive, they tell me they can’t make my pizza because they are “too busy. ” This results in my refund or dispute taking multiple business days to be processed.
- sauceWhile Papa John's has been a favorite in the past, this particular visit was my first at this branch. I found the pizza to be very light on toppings and there was barely any sauce. This significantly impacted the overall taste and enjoyment of the pizza.
- toppingsEven Little Caesars and Pizza Hut have better crusts. The toppings were sparse, with not enough pineapple pieces, and it didn't have much meat. It was disappointing!
- Papa John'sI’m so sad that this is the only Papa John's within our new house's delivery radius. Papa John's used to be my go-to, but this store always disappoints. I don’t know if it’s the company or this store in general, but they’ve really gone downhill the past few years.
- banana peppersshe remade just a banana pepper pizza only.
- better ingredientsa company who's slogan starts with "better ingredients"
- bread sticksovercooked, dried out, cold, crispy, bland bread sticks
- burnt crustburnt crust & little sauce
- crustcrust is mediocre
- extra saucepractically sauce less
If you're craving pizza and they nail the basics like a fresh crust and generous toppings, you might be pleasantly surprised. However, be aware that consistency can be an issue, with some experiences falling flat due to quality control or temperature problems.
Service (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
Despite some challenges, many customers (38 out of 103 comments) appreciated the service. They often mentioned fast delivery and nice people, with some even highlighting excellent customer service from friendly staff and prompt drivers. However, a significant number of experiences (61 comments) point to issues.
With a customer satisfaction of just 36.9% and an average score of 4.4, many encountered terrible customer service, rude staff, wrong orders, and frustrating waiting times. This indicates a need for improvement.
Service
103
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
61
negative
4
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast delivery
- Excellent service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Wrong orders
- Terrible service
Often praised
- serviceMy pizza delivery drivers have always been nice and polite, and my pizza arrives piping hot. I appreciate your service in the food industry.
- staffthe staff are always friendly and welcoming
- customer servicegreat customer service especially for one of there staff members Moni
- ordernever had a messed up order
- appapp makes ordering so easy!
- deliveryThey deliver of course
- delivery driversSuper friendly delivery drivers
- delivery orderMy experience was with a delivery order
- driversdrivers are always prompt, friendly and fast
- employee qualitythe employee quality
Frequently criticized
- customer servicelady work inside very bad customer service
- orderThe pizza was not what I ordered.
- waiting timeAfter an hour of placing my order they still hadn't made my order
- serviceInstead of making it or hurrying up, suggested I go somewhere else
- cashierI had to drive back to the restaurant. Upon my return, I was told that I need to listen to the cashier to see if they got the order right. This implies it's the customer's responsibility to ensure the employee hears them correctly.
- deliveryThey said my pizza was delivered and no one answered (lie
- staffwho ever answered was very rude did not apologize and was actually yelling at me.
- General Manager AnnabelleAnnabelle did not even let me explain she picked up the call and said rudely
- LucyLucy the manager tells me that there wasn't a note for said order
- apologyNo apology or explanation
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a gamble. While you might get a friendly, fast delivery, be prepared for potential issues with order accuracy or customer support. If consistent, top-notch service is your priority, you might want to proceed with caution.
Ambience (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, the score for ambience sits at an average 4.5, though customer satisfaction is quite low at 27.3%. On the upside, some guests have found the atmosphere to be pleasant, with comments like Atmosphere: 5. Plus, the parking lots are a definite win, often described as never crowded and okay, not too crowded, which is always a relief.
These positive observations come from 3 remarks. However, there are some clear areas for improvement, with 5 negative observations. Guests have raised concerns about a cleanliness issue and the presence of shady homeless people outside.
A major drawback is the lack of seating, with complaints like No tables and No place to eat, which can really impact your experience.
Ambience
11
Reviews
27%
Satisfaction
5
negative
3
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Easy parking
- Pleasant atmosphere
What people don't like
- Cleanliness concerns
- No seating available
- Homeless people present
Often praised
- ParkingParking is okay, not too crowded.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- parking lotsParking lots never crowded
Frequently criticized
- cleanliness issuethis is a cleanliness issue
- felt unwelcomeMy order was made wrong, and the staff refused to fix it, stating there was nothing they could do. Upon arrival, I immediately felt unwelcome due to the lady's nasty attitude. However, the El Cajon location resolved the issue by fixing my order, even though I hadn't ordered from there.
- place to eatNo place to eat
- shady homeless peopleWatch out for the shady homeless people
- tablesNo tables
If you're just looking for a quick grab-and-go and value easy parking, this spot might suffice. However, if a clean, comfortable dining area and a welcoming atmosphere are important to you, you might find yourself disappointed and should consider other options.
Value (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, scoring an average 5 with customer satisfaction sitting at a rather mixed 40%. Based on 15 customer remarks, with 6 positive observations, many appreciate the opportunity to save money through promotions and deals, especially when they catch a sale. Using Papa Points is also a popular way to get good pricing and even score a $1 tip for great service.
However, the 8 negative opinions highlight some significant pain points. Many feel that buying in store is a rip-off, with pizza price often being expensive or overpriced. There are also frustrations around refund issues, with customers feeling like their money is taken without the order being fulfilled, leading to a perception of poor value when not on a special.
Value
15
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great deals available
- Use Papa Points
- Sale pricing good
What people don't like
- In-store prices high
- Pizzas overpriced
- Refunds are difficult
Often praised
- $1 tipplease do 1 dollar tip for great job well done
- Papa PointsI had Papa Points, so I was able to save $10
- dealsLove their deals.
- good dealsthey send periodic good deals
- pricingPricing is great if you catch a sale
- promotionsShe even applied some promotions that I didn’t even know was going on!
Frequently criticized
- pricesignificantly more expensive than any pizzas on special
- buying in storebuying in store is the worst rippoff
- expensiveseemed a little expensive for the quality of pizza
- moneyI am so sick of being screwed over by this Papa John's. They CONTINUE to take my money, then after over an hour of waiting for my order to arrive, they tell me they can’t make my pizza because they are “too busy. ” This results in my refund or dispute taking multiple business days to be processed.
- pizza pricevery small overpriced pizzas
- refundWhen I asked for a refund I was told I could only get a partial refund
If youre savvy with promotions and deals, you can find some decent value here. Otherwise, be prepared for potentially expensive pizza price and possible refund headaches, especially if youre not using a discount.
How are the prices at Papa Johns Pizza?
On average, you’ll spend around 21 per person – based on 19 guests. That places this Pizzeria in the $21–$30 category, which wed call comfortably mid-range, perhaps a touch above. While the average sits at 21, its interesting to see that most diners (8 out of 19) actually spend a bit less, in the $11–$20 range.
Another 5 guests fall into the $21–$30 bracket. This means there are great options for a more budget-friendly meal, alongside some premium choices reaching up to 50 $. It’s a nice spread, but definitely leans towards accessible mid-range pricing.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 19 reviews.
How this Pizzeria stacks up against similar spots in San Diego for value.
Overall, for a Pizzeria in San Diego, we feel the pricing is quite fair. It offers options for those looking for a quick, affordable bite, as well as those wanting to splurge a little more. Its a solid choice if youre looking for good value in the mid-range.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Papa Johns Pizza
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Delivery
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Fantastic Late-Night Pizza Delivery!
Even though it was a late delivery order, placed within 1 hour and 20 minutes of closing on a football Sunday, my experience was fantastic. After navigating an automated phone system, I finally reached a helpful person. The pizza was picture perfect and delivered by a friendly and enthusiastic young lady.
I ordered a large 5-topping, white sauce, garlic stuffed crust pizza, cheesy bread, and dessert. Everything arrived 15 minutes before the estimated delivery time, piping hot and picture perfect. This late-night meal was a bomb, feeding myself, my housemate, his girlfriend, and my neighbor.
I'm grateful for the hard-working crew who take pride in their work. Despite a long day, I had an absolutely fantastic experience thanks to them.
- pizza10
- friendly and enthusiastic young lady10
- piping hot10
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Perfect Orders, Great Value!
My last two orders have been perfect. They don't skimp on cheese and toppings are plentiful with a perfect bake. I'm not sure why the reviews aren't at least a 4 star, but I'll be returning.
- cheese9
- toppings9
- perfect bake10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Disappointing Experience with Quality Guarantee
I ordered two large pizzas from this establishment on 9/2/24, a bacon and pineapple with extra sauce, and their specialty meat pizza with extra sauce. Unfortunately, when my order arrived, both pizzas were practically sauce-less and completely inedible. I ended up throwing the entire order away, which is something I dislike doing, but it was that bad.
I contacted them immediately and spoke with Jose, who assured me that a note would be made and my order would be replaced under their quality guarantee. I was told to simply call to claim it. However, when I called this evening, the manager, Lucy, stated there was no note for my order.
Consequently, I wasted food and received no reimbursement or the promised replacement. Despite ordering frequently, this experience has officially lost them my business. I hope others read this before trusting their "quality guarantee" promises and consider opting for a refund if available.
- Jose6
- pizzas1
- extra sauce1
- quality guarantee1
Visit Type
- Delivery
Group Type
- Family
2
Disappointing Pizza and Poor Service
I typically only leave reviews for positive experiences, but this situation warrants an exception. I ordered a pizza for my children and discovered that some of it was doughy and not fully cooked. When I called the store to request a credit or coupon for future orders, as we order frequently for our kids, I was initially met by a worker who transferred me to the General Manager, Annabelle.
To my surprise, Annabelle did not allow me to explain the issue. Upon answering the call, she rudely stated, "your order was fully cooked. " When I reiterated that it was not, she insisted it was impossible due to their oven temperature.
She then condescendingly suggested I send photos to her personal cell phone, which I found very odd.
- pizza2
- General Manager Annabelle1
- oven temperature2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Best Pizza, Amazing Deals!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The app makes ordering incredibly easy, and I love their deals. This is my go-to place for pizza.
Papa John's pizza truly beats out all the other pizza places, even the fancy ones. The crust is soft and fresh, the pizza is piping hot, the cheese is gooey, and they are generous with toppings. It's delicious!
- app9
- deals9
- pizza10
What Papa Johns Pizza offers
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
Offerings
- Late-night food
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What service options and parking are available at Papa Johns Pizza in Mid-City?
At Papa Johns Pizza, you can enjoy convenient no-contact delivery, takeout, and standard delivery services. When you visit, you’ll appreciate the free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of spaces available for your convenience.
Does Papa Johns Pizza offer accessible options and what dining times are available?
Yes, Papa Johns Pizza is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot. You can plan your visit for lunch or dinner, and they also offer dessert options to complete your meal.
How is Papa Johns Pizza rated overall?
Papa Johns Pizza has an overall score of 4.9, indicating an average experience. Its Food (5.5), Service (4.4), Value (5), and Ambience (4.5) all fall within the average range.
What do customers appreciate most about Papa Johns Pizza?
Customers frequently highlight the politeness and efficiency of their delivery drivers, the convenience of ordering through their app, and the availability of good deals and promotions that enhance value.
What are the common complaints about Papa Johns Pizza?
Common complaints include inconsistent food quality, such as sparse toppings or issues with crust, occasional poor in-store customer service, and pricing that can be considered expensive without the use of special deals.