I love this place! I'm originally from New York and have not had pizza of this caliber since I've moved out here, and realistically, ever. You can taste the passion he has for what he does in every bite! I typically order a cheese, pepperoni, or cheese and olives pizza. The cannolis are definitely something to write home about as well, my boyfriend and I can't even share them anymore they are so good. Hammer's is simply the best. Period. read more

I'm going to start by saying I don't yelp restaurants. I read the reviews but don't yelp. I couldn't help but share my good experience with yall! The pizza was unbelievable! Definitely the best pizza I've had in San Diego. And Hammer himself is great. He cares about his work and is fun to talk to. This is a must go to and try! The location is a little funky but don't let it scare you away. You'll love the pizza! read more

There's a lot of "NY style" pizzerias in San Diego, the vast majority are unfit to be called such. This is real NY style......This guy is passionate about pizza and takes pride in his product The crust is light. It's crisp, thin, and with those blister bubbles underneath that indicate correct dough moisture and baking temperature. The sauce...fresh basil, not too sweet, not acidic, not overly spiced. Most importantly the ratios are correct. It's one thing to use superior ingredients, but to get them at the correct proportions is what makes a great pizza maker. I ate 4 slices, which is half of a pizza, and I didn't feel weighed down and gross like most half-pizzas would make me feel There's not a whole lot of seating, but who cares? I came here for a proper pie and I got one. read more

This guy is amazing! His pizza tastes great and I am so glad that he is in Encinitas.also don't ask for a side of ranch because he believes it masks the true taste of the pizza. I hope he stays for a long time because this is amazing pizza! read more

It's easy to drive past the best pizza in North County and not even realize you missed it. Hammer's is tucked away in a older strip mall on El Camino Real next door to a car wash. Sauce and toppings are what you'd expect for a good slice of New York pie. But let's face it, pizza is about the crust. And Hammer's crust is the best. It's that perfect combination of thin, chewy, and crispy that only comes from someone who has been practicing their craft for decades. Whole pie or by the slice, Hammer gets it right every time. read more

Great authentic New York pizza at reasonable prices. Deluxe and Artichoke pizzas were excellent. There's a "New York pizza" place in the shopping center up the block so look for "Hammer's" sign to be sure you're in the right place. read more

Hammer is a friendly guy who is making a good pizza. Thin crust,mood quality toppings- will come back

Best Pizza Encinitas! Hammer is a great guy and loves what he does. I defiantly recommend this place to any pizza lovers out there!

Closest thing in Encinitas's to getting a slice of NYC pizza. Just something about the second toasting on a slice of pizza!

Good Pizza.... colorful owner. Wish they delivered, as the pizza was not hot when we got it back home. I'm sure it is great out of the oven. read more

I drive by Hammer's on El Camino Real every day. I decided to stop in and support a local business. My mind was blown. Best NY style pizza I've ever had in San Diego. If you live in North County, Hammer's NY Pizza is a must try, I promise you won't be disappointed. Great atmosphere, when you enter the shop and sit down to eat your pizza it feels like you are in NY. And like others have said, Hammer is a cool dude. read more

i tried him one more time and he gave me a burnt pizza and had a nasty attitude. I think that he is still mad about my other review. I guess I'm not welcome here, Worst customer service ever. read more

THIS IS THE BEST PIZZA IN NORTH COUNTY! We have tried so many pizza places around and this is definitely the best. I have lived in NY and know NY pizza, this is the REAL deal! Also, the BEST customer service. Everyone should be ordering pizza from here :) read more

Great Pizza and great service... the cannolis are pretty darn good too! Definitely will be back next time we are in town.

One of the friendliest guys in business! Pizza is great! Every time I visit I'm going to Hammers!

Stopped by last Friday with my wife. Hammer took time to explain pizza ands its history to me. Was a great experience and the pizza was AWESOME. read more

I'm from Long Island, NY and this pizza is just like what you get at home! The absolute real deal as others will find this hidden gem real soon. read more

My daughters and I love this place! Great pizza, and a great guy. I consider myself to be a bit of a pizza snob, and I believe that this is some of the best authentic pizza that I've ever had. read more

Good pizza and I would have to say the best NY/NJ style pizza I have found in the area. My only complaint is that they do not deliver and are sometimes closed when they should be open. Besides for those minor things I really like there pizza. Make sure you try it if you have a chance. read more

Great pizza!! Finally had a good Sicilian pie since leaving the east coast 40 years ago. Many different varieties of pizzas. Love the fact that it is a thin crust east coast style for the regular pies. Must eat there. read more

It's a nice little shop.Basically a to go spot as there really isn't much in the way of seating. Good thin crust pie, Very well put together with just the right amount of ingredients. The owner is very friendly and the place has a good feel to it. read more

Finally, a pizza I can call "home". I have been searching far and wide for a really good pie in San Diego County- now I can say I found it. From the moment I walked in until the moment I walked out, I felt like I was part of a family to say the least. Hammer struck up a conversation with me as if he had known me my entire life. It was great. But what made the conversation even better was the quality of the pizza cooked to my liking. Very few pizza parlors cook pizza like this anymore. Thin crust; minimal cheese, smooth layer of delicious sauce; crispy, NOT burnt crust. What more can you ask for? The line should be out the door on a daily basis, but it's not. Why? A lot of people just do not know a quality pie even if it landed on their head. A majority of folks enjoy gooey, greasy, super cheesy, rubbery crust delivered to their front door for $7.99. It's sad, but true. It's similar to those that drink Budweiser and refuse Fat Tire Amber Ale. So, do yourself a favor order up a few slices or maybe a pie or two and witness first hand what a pizza should taste like. read more

Finally, got down to Encinitas to check out reviews I read about Hammers Pizza. I would call it a take out place since its one small table inside, and one table outside with chairs for slim people only. His pizza was the best I've eaten in California. He can only make sicilian pie with a 48 hour notice. His cannoli is made fresh. I'm looking forward to trying his extensive menu including egg creams, and cherry Lime Rickeys, I put his phone number on my phone so on my way back from the 5, I can order and pick up on my way home when I pass the place. read more

Fantastic, tasty pizza. Husband and kids loved - girls said "best pizza EVER!". Girls had the pepperoni and we had the margarita - simple but so yum. Owner is great and passionate about his what he does. This is our new go-to pizza place. read more

Thin, light, cheesy, pizza. Visiting from out of town. This is a slice of NY in SoCal. Hope to return.

Hammer knows his way around a NY style pie. If in Encinitas get a slice, you won't be disappointed!

This place was great! Just tried it two days ago and it was exactly what we had been looking for! Great NY pizza in California which isn't easy to find! Great service too! read more

Hammer's serves authentic NY pie, which most pizza shops claiming to serve NY style pizza in Encinitas don't. I have been meaning to stop in and try a slice for a while now and I finally did and I am impressed. Although I grew up in So Cal I did have the opportunity to live and work in NYC for about five years and I ate a lot of slices while I lived there. Let's face it, the best slices are made in NY and Jersey. While waiting for my pizza I had a great conversation with Mike, it turns out that Mike is from Montauk, NY. My brother and I owned a house in Montauk and I did a lot of surfing out there. It was great reminiscing about some great times in my life out east with him, we knew a lot of the same people and have been to the same places. Stop in and enjoy some real good and authentic NY pizza, you'll be glad you did. read more

New Yorker here giving a review....Sorry, wanted to love this pizza but it was super hard on the bottom. A true NYC slice should fold easily in the middle. The guy who runs it is nice. I think i'll give it another try one day, but if that's how he usually cooks the pizza, terrible. read more

Awesome pizza and cannoli!! A little hard to find, but definitely worth the trip. So much better than Flippin up the street. Tried the meat lovers and the white pesto - delish! Going back for sure! read more

This pizza is amazing!! It's like I'm in NY again enjoying what pizza is supposed to taste like. My go-to pizza spot when the wife lets me eat it! read more

Forget Flippins, forget the chain spots Pizza Hut or Domino's.....this is the spot. Their pizza is phenomenal. ...canoes are great too. Trust me...you want NYPizza, this is it. read more

This place is way overrated. 5 stars and one dollar sign are NOT accurate. I paid $25 for a large special pizza (at least 5 ingredients). The pizza was "OK". The were so few ingredients on the pizza, it probably cost $5 to make! This is NOT a single dollar sign place. In fact, there are so few ingredients on these pizza's that I think this place is expensive. The crust should NOT be the most dominant ingredient on a thin crust pizza! I'm not sure how this place has 5 stars and a single dollar sign as a rating - this is NOT accurate. read more

okay, this is really good pizza! and honestly the most legit NY style in the area. really unfortunate that i did not know about this place sooner! maybe hammers needs to advertise some more? more signs or something! because i believe if more people knew about this spot, it would have much more business! we had pepperoni with red onion and mushrooms, so good! we also had the one with ricotta (forgot the name) but that was even better! we always ask for extra sides of sauce for dipping. THEIR SAUCE IS SO GOOD! the garlic knots were not good though :/ give Hammers a try, spread word to friends and family, because this place deserves more business, really! read more

Drove by this place for years. Randomly stopped in to see what it was all about. For reals, best pizza place in Encinitas. Hammer is hilarious (actually owns and runs the place by himself), the pizza seems authentic to NYC, and it's cheap for how much food you get. I'll be coming back with friends. read more

If you want to watch tv and eat pizza, go somewhere else. If you want to do karaoke and eat pizza, go somewhere else. If you want great thin crust, New York style pizza, head to Hammer's. read more

Great food! Now get a sign and a Groupon and get this place filled with customers like it deserves to be! #hiddengem #toohidden

Hammer is the best! Great pizza, real NY style, we've tried as many NY style pizza places in San Diego as possible and Hammer is quite the best we've had. Plus Hammer is just a cool guy who will make you feel right at home. Just go there! read more

Had the Hammer Deluxe and was impressed. The crust was just right and it didn't have an overabundance of cheese like some pizzas. The salad tasted fresh. Visit this small business soon- he deserves to make it! read more

Super nice guys working there, very very good New York style pizza. Would recommend for sure!