This week, our dining travels took us to a couple of restaurants who serve up Pizza. Here is the dirt:

The first stop was to Venice Pizza House on El Cajon Blvd in the “Hood”. Venice has been open since 1954, almost as long as “WE” have been working the streets and Nicole was worried that some of our old trades would come up and ask if they could hook up again. Then we reminded ourselves that we were “Downtown” kind of hustlers and we were probably pretty safe from running into any of our old tricks in this neighborhood. Kind of scary to imagine what that must have looked like!

Moving right along! Upon entering we looked around at all the plastic and old furniture, sighed and said “oh no not another cheap imitation of Italian food!” We were seated, the place was quite busy, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the food did smell good. We ordered “The Works” pizza with extra sausage and onion. What can we say, Mexican to the core!

To our surprise, the pizza looked, smelled and tasted better than any we had ever shoveled down our deep hot and hungry throats! The crust was fresh and tasted like it was truly homemade. We had visions of a hot and sexy Italian stud in the kitchen tossing our dough around. They didn’t go cheap on the cheese either. Who doesn’t love great cheese on their pizza? And plenty of it! Over the years we both have enjoyed our share of “meat,” and this sausage was, hmmm, shall we say “Military Fresh and Plentiful?” If you know what we mean. The vegetables tasted fresh and were cooked to perfection. Our mouths and bellies were in Seventh Heaven! We asked other patrons what they thought about their meal and everyone was well pleased. In spite of the old and tacky décor the food was awesome. We give this place a Queen’s blessing.

Venice Pizza House is located at 3333 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104 Phone 619.283.2333. They are open Tues – Thurs 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Fri – Sat 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., Sun 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 .pm. and closed on Mondays. Priced moderate

Rosaria Pizza in North Park: At the time of publishing this article, we may both be dead from the food and what we endured to get this story. Walking into this place and taking a first breath was like inhaling the fumes of a “yellow hankie bar with a nasty back room,” and surely, some people will know exactly what we are talking about.

The sign outside stated “2 Slices, One Topping and a Soda $4.50,” in this economy, we thought it might be good to review a bargain spot for a quick pizza. The old adage “You get what you pay for” never rang truer than today.

This place obviously is appealing to Tweekers, Cockroaches and Alley Cats, and I bet the Cockroaches and Alley Cats only stop by when they are really starving. We ordered their special with Sausage. What a big mistake! The crust was tough and foul. The sausage balls were smaller that a squirrel’s privates and the sauce was raunchy and bitter tasting. After the first bite it was all over. I just cannot imagine how someone could be proud of this so called “food” and have the audacity to serve it to the public. Like I said, Tweekers, Cockroaches and Alley Cats

Their rating by the Health Department was an “A” and we are certain the Health Inspector never tasted anything here. Probably a lot smarter than we are!

What we find so ironic is the name “Rosaria Pizza”. What was this Mexican thinking? If Rosaria actually owns and operates this place she should consider converting it to a Mexican Café where hopefully she would know something about the cuisine.

This place is gawd awful and if you dare to eat here be prepared to have your stomach pumped!

Rosaria Pizza is located at 2859 University Ave in North Park. If you want to know the hours just hunt down a “Tweeker” in North Park.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Until Next week,

Nicole & Papa Frank