La Mesa is growing in popularity as the place for culinary comfort. But one thing it has lacked is a good pizza place to chill and hang out.
As of this month, that has changed, with the arrival of Surf Rider Pizza Co., an East Coast style eatery and comfortable beach hangout that first arrived in the Ocean Beach community eight years ago.
La Mesa is growing in popularity as the place for culinary comfort. But one thing it has lacked is a good pizza place to chill and hang out.
As of this month, that has changed, with the arrival of Surf Rider Pizza Co., an East Coast style eatery and comfortable beach hangout that first arrived in the Ocean Beach community eight years ago.
“La Mesa is a great family community and is a perfect fit for Surf Rider Pizza Co.,” said Hilary Rossi, Surf Rider Pizza Co. founder and The Patio Group’s Senior VP of Food and Beverage. “We reach out into the community and support sports, local events and clubs and our team loves to participate and be involved! We are consistent in our approach across all Surf Rider locations and have had success with our customer’s experience.”
There is an outside patio with heaters available as the weather cools down and two bars.
The outside bar, Himmelberg’s, was added to pay homage to Joey Himmelberg, the fallen best friend of owner Gina Champion-Cain.
“He was a colleague to our entire company culture, and we unfortunately lost his laughter a short time ago. Joey Himmelberg used to be a partner in Joe n’ Andy’s bar in La Mesa while also residing there for years,” Rossi said.
But Surf Rider’s offers beverages beyond alcohol and soft drinks, to include organic iced teas and coffee from Swell Coffee Company.
“Not everyone likes sodas, and I have always been a huge tea person,” Rossi said. “Surf Rider Pizza Co. has always offered freshly brewed Iced Teas and these are available with our daily all day specials.”
But first and foremost in importance, of course, is how the pizza tastes. Surf Rider offers flavors no one else does, according to Rossi.
“I have loved pizza since I was one year old, and I will love pizza until I am 99,” Rossi said. “I get just as excited when I see a child enjoy a slice of cheese pizza as I do when I cover a lifelong meat lover to a slice of the Signature Surf Rider. Pizza is fun. It is simple as that.”
Surf Rider intends to stay involved in the La Mesa life, even to the point of offering some live music and other entertainment by locals in the community.
