Pizza Cassette, a San Diego restaurant known for New York-meets-Italian-style pizza, is preparing to open a new brick-and-mortar location in Pacific Beach at 1459 Garnet Avenue.
The company’s second location will open in the former home of Rizers Pizza sometime in early 2026, according to San Diego Magazine. The new Pizza Cassette will offer 60–80 indoor seats, with the potential for outdoor patio seating. Guests will order at a counter, and food will be delivered to tables by runners. The space will feature a high-end electric Italian oven due to permitting restrictions, although pizzas at the original Bay Park location were baked in a wood-fired oven.
James “Jimmy” Terwilliger, founder and owner, began making pizza as a teenager in upstate New York and has professional experience at San Diego favorites including Ciro’s Pizzeria & Beerhouse, Catania, Wheat & Water, and Biga. He also consulted at Buona Forchetta before opening Pizza Cassette in 2022 as a permanent pop-up at The Gärten in Bay Park, where it has built a loyal following over the past three years.
The menu emphasizes artisanal, scratch-made ingredients. Most pizzas are made from scratch, including meatballs and sausage, with dough inspired by Neapolitan techniques, using double-zero and Type 1 flour. The menu includes specialty pizzas, classic pies, seasonal Foldies, pasta dishes, salads, sandwiches, and house-made desserts. Crust and cheese options include gluten-free, cauliflower, and vegan cheese.
The Pacific Beach location marks Pizza Cassette’s first full indoor restaurant, moving beyond its original pop-up setup. The permanent space will allow the brand to expand its artisanal offerings and continue delivering its signature scratch-made pizzas, handcrafted pastas, and elevated comfort food to San Diego diners.
