The closure of Round Table Pizza at 3250 Governor Drive, tucked within the University City Marketplace, was confirmed this week. The location had been a neighborhood staple for pizza lovers since the early 1980s, offering dine-in, carryout, and delivery of the brand’s famed edge-to-edge pizzas, hand-rolled dough, and proprietary three-cheese blend. It was also one of the original franchises of the Round Table Pizza brand, making its closure particularly poignant for longtime patrons and local franchise history.
Round Table Pizza, founded in 1959 by Bill Larson in Menlo Park, California, has long touted its commitment to “Pizza Royalty,” emphasizing high-quality ingredients, robust sauces, and generous toppings. The University City outpost upheld those traditions for more than 40 years, providing a casual family-friendly atmosphere for team celebrations, birthday parties, and weeknight dinners.
Locals reacted to the closure with disappointment and nostalgia. "I've been going to this location my entire life. It's a block from my parents' house. It hosted kids' birthday parties, little league celebrations. Second-generation owned and operated business. Really nice people,” said one longtime customer. “Not sure of the circumstances, but I wouldn't blame them for hanging it up after nearly five decades. Everyone has their definition of comfort food. This was mine. Not Round Table, but THIS Round Table, with decor stuck in the 1980s."
The reason for the closure has not been publicly disclosed, but the shopping center has seen a shift in recent years, with new tenants and concepts replacing older establishments. University City Marketplace is currently anchored by a Sprouts Farmers Market and includes a mix of fast-casual eateries and small businesses.
Round Table Pizza continues to operate around a dozen locations throughout San Diego County, including branches in La Mesa, Mission Valley, and Encinitas. The company has also launched a modernization campaign in recent years, revamping its store designs and branding to compete with newer pizza concepts and delivery-focused chains.
For longtime customers of the University City location, the closure marks the end of an era - and yet another reminder of the changing face of San Diego’s neighborhood centers.
Round Table Pizza continues to operate around a dozen locations throughout San Diego County, including branches in La Mesa, Mission Valley, and Encinitas. The company has also launched a modernization campaign in recent years, revamping its store designs and branding to compete with newer pizza concepts and delivery-focused chains.
For longtime customers of the University City location, the closure marks the end of an era - and yet another reminder of the changing face of San Diego’s neighborhood centers.
Originally published on July 30, 2025.
