Orange County Register

When it comes to pizza, we’re bombarded by California-style versions with toppings like avocado and shiitake mushroom, stuff that would likely make New Yorkers gag. Dude, we’re in Orange County, what do you expect?

So thank God for a joint like Original Pizza in Newport Beach, down by the peninsula. It’s been around for decades, the kind of old-school, no-nonsense establishment that serves pizza-by-the-slice on those flimsy, pleated paper plates — or whole pies in plain white cardboard boxes. Located just steps away from the ocean, Original has become a sort of institution in the area, a casual spot where beachgoers mosey on in with sand-covered flip-flops. The pizza is nothing fancy, just cheese and your regular ol’ toppings like pepperoni and ham. But that crust. It’s thin. OK, not New York-style thin but thin enough, not that awkwardly medium crust or thin but flaccid variety. Original’s crust has a nice crunch to it and the flavorful sauce and bubbly cheese hits the spot …

Original Pizza stops its dine-in business after 9 p.m. so we had to make do with a to-go order just after 9. A medium 14-inch pepperoni pizza set us back $17 after tax, a bit pricey for a regular pie these days, but in this case, totally worth it. We couldn’t even wait the 7-minute drive home and immediately ate a piping hot slice in the car. As I was chewing away, a hot string of cheese hit my chin. Ouch, hate when that happens!

Oddly enough, Original does offer a local special: The Balboa pizza, which comes with white sauce and grilled chicken. Oh well. Like I said, we are in OC. If you go, don’t forget to bring cash. A place this old-school doesn’t take credit cards.

Original Pizza

2121 W. Balboa Blvd.

Newport Beach, CA

949.673.1451

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.