News Summary
Truly Pizza in Dana Point has been ranked as the ninth best pizzeria in the U.S. by the 50 Top Pizza USA guide for 2025. In addition, the restaurant earned the ‘Performance of the Year’ award and co-founder John Arena received the ‘Icon Award.’ As Truly Pizza approaches its third anniversary, it plans to open a second location in Laguna Beach, bringing its acclaimed menu and dining experience inspired by the Amalfi Coast to a larger audience.
Dana Point, CA – Truly Pizza has made waves in the culinary scene by being ranked as the ninth best pizzeria in the United States according to the 50 Top Pizza USA guide for 2025. The recognition highlights the pizzeria’s commitment to quality and innovation within a competitive market.
In addition to its impressive ranking, Truly Pizza also received the “Performance of the Year” award, an honor that celebrates exceptional achievements in service, innovation, and overall business excellence. Co-founder John Arena further distinguished himself by winning the prestigious 2025 “Icon Award,” which recognizes individuals for their lifelong dedication to the craft of pizza-making.
Truly Pizza, located at 24402 Del Prado Ave, opened its doors in Dana Point in 2023 and has quickly become a popular dining destination in southern Orange County. As the pizzeria approaches its third anniversary, it plans to expand its reach with a second location set to open in Laguna Beach later in 2025. This new venue will be located at 320 N. Coast Hwy, near the Laguna Art Museum, and will feature an open-air dining experience inspired by the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
The Laguna Beach location will cover 2,000 square feet and offer outdoor seating for up to 100 guests, aligning with the original location’s design. The menu will mirror that of the Dana Point establishment, including the renowned Champion Cheese Pizza, which won the Best Traditional Pizza award at the World Pizza Championship in Italy. Other menu highlights consist of authentic Italian dishes, such as an Italian tuna sandwich and a salumi chopped salad, as well as Truly’s popular premium soft-serve desserts.
Operating hours for Truly Pizza are Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Since its inception, the pizzeria has gained significant accolades, including being recognized as one of only two pizzerias from Orange County to make the 50 Best Pizzerias in the USA list this June.
Co-founders John Arena, Chris Decker, and Michael Vakneen, along with Donna Baldwin, emphasize the quality of their dough and the use of local California ingredients as key differentiators in their pizza offerings. Truly Pizza features a distinct menu that includes a 12-inch American Artisan pizza and a square pizza known as a “grandma slice.”
In addition to its renowned pizza, the beverage menu will showcase regional craft beers, small-batch wines, and a selection of cocktails and mocktails from a full bar, further enhancing the dining experience.
In summary, Truly Pizza has proven its prowess in the pizza industry with multiple accolades and an ambitious expansion plan. As it embarks on this new chapter, leaders at Truly Pizza remain committed to sharing their passion for authentic, high-quality pizza with an even broader audience.
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Additional Resources
- Patch: South OC Pizza Parlor Named Top 10 Best in Nation
- Wikipedia: Pizza
- Los Angeles Magazine: Southern California Pizzerias Ranked
- Google Search: Southern California Pizzerias
- KTLA: Three Southern California Pizzerias Named Among the World’s Best
- Google Scholar: Pizza Industry
- Time Out: Two L.A. Pizzerias Named Among the Best in the World
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pizza Restaurants
- OC Register: Truly Pizza Expands Menu
- Google News: Truly Pizza
