August 15, 2020
Mr. Moto was founded in Pacific Beach in 2015 by Gibran Fernandez - a San Diego native who started in the pizza business at the age of 23 working for La Jolla's Pizza On Pearl, which was owned by his Uncle Aram Baloyan who also has ownership interests in The Taco Stand chain and La Jolla's Himitsu sushi restaurant. Mr. Moto Pizza House has since expanded with locations in North Park, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and another in La Jolla where it took over Baloyan's Pizza On Pearl. Mr. Moto is also building a branch in the Seaport Village space last occupied by Asaggio Pizza Pasta Plus, as well as recently took over another former NaPizza location in Encinitas for a northerly branch.
The newest Mr. Moto will open later this year in the Little Italy corner unit that housed the original NaPizza, a San Diego-based Roman-style pizza chain that went out of business in 2020. Like other branches, Mr. Moto's new restaurant will offer NYC-style pizza by the slice or full pie, with inventive toppings such as the Vodka Cream Pizza with vodka sauce, raspberry chipotle sauce, bacon and sour cream, or the Smoky Greens with fresh spinach, ricotta, garlic and sweet balsamic glaze. The eatery will also offer a variety of beer and wine.
Mr. Moto Pizza House aims to open by year's end at 1702 India Street. For more information, visit mrmotopizza.com and check out the menu below.
