The closure was revealed in a characteristically candid and self-deprecating social media post from Harbison, who informed customers that what was originally planned as the restaurant's eighth anniversary celebration will now double as a farewell party.
"Well life certainly has it's up's & downs huh?" Harbison wrote. "Our 8 year anniversary party next weekend is now our anniversary party AND going out of business sale party!"
The restaurant plans to offer 50 percent off beer on June 20 and 50 percent off its remaining food inventory on June 21 as it winds down operations.
Unlike many restaurant closures that arrive wrapped in carefully crafted corporate statements, Harbison's announcement was notable for its blunt honesty.
"Our lease is up next month, got nowhere to move to, and the $ is gone," he wrote. "Tis what it tis, tis'nt what it tis'nt Dagnabbit."
While the closure marks the end of Angry Pete's current chapter, Harbison made clear he has no regrets about the journey.
"Am I ashamed of closing down? ABSOLUTELY NOT!" he continued. "I started this business with a $7k Christmas bonus from the casino & a dream."
That story is central to Angry Pete's identity.
Founded in 2018, Angry Pete's began as a small pop-up operation serving Detroit-style pizza at farmers markets, festivals, brewery events and temporary food-service locations throughout San Diego County. Over time, Harbison developed a fiercely loyal following by introducing many locals to Detroit-style pizza years before the style became a mainstream trend throughout Southern California and beyond.
The business expanded through a series of unconventional locations, including partnerships with breweries and bars across the region. Angry Pete's operated at venues including Burning Beard Brewing, Eppig Brewing, Kensington Brewing Company, Little Miss Brewing, JP's Pub, Desi's Bar & Grill, Santee Lakes and other locations before eventually opening a dedicated brick-and-mortar restaurant at Santee Lakes and another inside a retro former Taco Bell building in Kearny Mesa.
The Kearny Mesa restaurant embodied Harbison's nostalgia-driven vision. In addition to Detroit-style pizza, the menu celebrated Michigan comfort food with Detroit Coney dogs, Faygo soda, Better Made potato chips, Mackinac Island fudge and other regional specialties rarely found in San Diego. The restaurant also became known for its free vintage arcade games, Detroit sports watch parties, and unapologetically Midwestern personality.
At its peak, Angry Pete's appeared poised for significant growth. But like many independent restaurant operators, the company faced increasing pressure from rising food costs, labor expenses, rent increases and operational challenges. Harbison previously shuttered the concept's Santee Lakes location in late 2024 after revealing a planned 78 percent rent increase and acknowledging that managing multiple locations had stretched resources too thin. At the time, he described the difficult realities facing small restaurant operators.
"The hard truth is that like many businesses, we've faced a challenging and rough road," Harbison wrote. "Increasing food costs, labor costs, and rental rates have made it harder and harder to maintain our business at a break-even level."
Those same economic realities continue to challenge independent restaurants throughout California. While large chains often have access to capital, purchasing power, multiple revenue streams and corporate infrastructure, smaller owner-operated businesses frequently operate on razor-thin margins. A lease renewal, equipment failure, staffing shortage or sudden increase in operating expenses can quickly become existential threats.
Harbison's closure announcement arrives amid a period of extraordinary volatility for San Diego's restaurant industry. Recent months have seen a growing number of independent operators announce closures, downsizings, restructurings and concept changes as rising costs continue to reshape the local hospitality landscape. Yet despite the financial challenges, Harbison's message remained remarkably optimistic.
"I'm extremely proud of what we were able to achieve in 8 years," he wrote. "No regrets at all. Might be something happening elsewhere soon, stay tuned."
That final line suggests Angry Pete's may not be completely finished. For now, however, customers have one final opportunity to celebrate a business that grew from a casino bonus and a dream into one of San Diego's most recognizable Detroit-style pizza brands.
As Harbison put it: "Best job I ever had. 100% truth."
Angry Pete's is currently operating at 5335 Overland Avenue in San Diego's Kearny Mesa neighborhood. For more information, visit angrypetespizza.com.
Originally published on June 14, 2026.
