Persona Neapolitan Pizzeria Santa Barbara.com

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Persona Neapolitan Pizzeria 905 State St, Santa Barbara Phone: (805) 899-4999 Category: Italian, Pizza Hours: Sun-Wed 11am-11pm, Thu-Sat 11am-midnight Price: < $10 Map Web Site Write a review of this location!

Reviews by the General Public

Wood-Fired Brick Oven Makes the Difference, 1/28/2014
Reviewer: Gary from Santa Barbara, CA
Pizza in this country has of late taken a turn for the better. More and more establishments have started using wood-fired brick ovens. Persona's does this and also uses high quality ingredients to quickly produce a delicious pie. It might be possible to find a better pizza, but you'd better be prepared to look for a bit. Santa Barbara Axxess Card is good here for 50% off your first visit, and 10% thereafter. Will definitely be back!

Simply worth driving downtown for this pizza, 10/18/2013
Reviewer: Anthony from Santa Barbara, CA
Walked into Persona shortly after they opened and have been back several times. The Neapolitan style pizza with double-zero flour makes a pizza that is light and tasty. This pizza bar is affordable if you don't go crazy with toppings. My whole family loved the pizza and Gelato flavors. Simply worth driving downtown for this pizza.

Best Pizza in town!, 9/29/2013
Reviewer: Meemee b. from Santa Barbara, CA
This place has been on my list to try for some time. We were reluctant once to go in a few weeks ago because we heard a baby screaming in the place but this time it was later after a movie, and OMG! It was PURE YUM!!! I got mine w/buratta, a little garlic, prosciutto, margarita, kalamata olives, it was to die for! The arugula salad w/just lemon, evoo, and parm was amazing too! I took leftovers home and reheated the next day and it was almost as delicious as the first time. The dough is perfect and doesn't make you feel like you're going to explode, you can easily eat a whole pizza yourself like authentic Italian style. Last time I had pizza this good was in Italy! Don't get me wrong, I live for NY pizza in NY, but this pizza is scary good!

Best Pizza, 9/22/2013
Reviewer: smara from Santa Barbara, CA
BEst pizzas for the best price. I love that they only have a few specials and focus on it being a personalizing station. The salads are really good too. No dressing skimps like some places. the margarita is such a good deal.

Really like lots of things here, 4/24/2013
Reviewer: steve from Santa Barbara, CA
Liking European Pizza a lot, -we just frankly don't think much of the "Authentic" Pizza places is town. So we were set to not like this place. But wow, that hot oven cooks quick and toasted/charred (maybe a little too much...thought that could be fixed if they scraped the oven floor a little more often...hint...owners...it was a little too bitter charred) Don't get us wrong though...it was the best in town for our preferences. Amazing that they allow you to add a BIG ball of Burrata Mozerella cheese for only $3 more...we did that on the White Pizza....which we thought was easily the best of the evening. The other Pizza when we added ingredients...got a little soggy...so keep it simple?...and just do one or two. Nice, they will give you a cold glass for your Sierra Nevada Ale. And, like the other reviews have said...the Gelato is the best we maybe have ever had....I mean it....sorry if you never try it...you have NO IDEA what you are missing...better than Italy...whoever this crazy guy is who makes it in LA? Chocolate...wow....Cookie Dough...unbelievable. Seriously...this may be the best ice-cream store in town despite only limited flavors...we would come here twice a week just for it. We liked the simple ambiance...and that after a couple of minutes in line with you telling them exactly how to make your pizza in front of you...it slips into the oven for 1 minute...and there you have it...quick authentic delight....REAL PIZZA taste. City parking lot 2 is right behind them off Canon Perdido...so super quick to enter by their back door...not a parking hassle like some places. This is a winner...a big winner.... Haven't tried the salads yet, but they looked good. The way to go for a couple is to order 1 White Pizza w/Buratta(for sure..it is profound)..(we left off the garlic).a couple of beers..one $4 salad, and then a Gelato....and share it all...less than $30.

Don't Listen to the Naysayers, 4/19/2013
Reviewer: Rob from Santa Barbara, CA
We made our first visit to Persona during lunch and were extremely satisfied. The pizza is very good (italian tomatoes, home made dough, custom topping bar, etc..) and the service was fantastic. Instead of judging from someone else's review, give it a try and see for yourself. We'll definitely be back.

This one is not going to make it..., 3/9/2013
Reviewer: Don from Santa Barbara, CA
Very disappointing. Crust was undercooked and doughy. Toppings were spartan. Cold and cavernous building. Will not be back.

So disappointed
Reviewer: Grace from Santa Barbara, CA
I was prepared to love this place and was terribly disappointed. The crust was mushy and the toppings completely tasteless, we are talking about roasted garlic! The cooks behind the counter were not helpful, bordering on rude and the decor is nothing to write home about. The bathrooms were dirty. I will not be back

Good idea, decent pizza
Reviewer: Sophia from Santa Barbara, CA
I was prepared to dislike this place, and was presently surprised. First, on a busy lunchtime downtown, it was almost empty but dramatically overstaffed. The staff have clearly been trained to be very friendly and solicitous, but it feels forced and because staff outnumber customers by about 4-1, there is an air of desperation about it. However, I have to say (and I am a big pizza snob) that the pizza was really good, and extremely good value. Nice crust, chewy inside and crisped/charred outside, really good, fresh, sauce and you could taste the olive oil on the topping. The 12" size is too much for one person, but assuming you split a pizza and a salad, lunch for two is less than $15 which is unbeatable.

Very Lovely Wood-Fired Pizza
Reviewer: Jason from Goleta
There's a ridiculously broad spectrum for pizza types--to me, as others, finding the perfect, thin, wood-fired pizza is a constant mission. Wasn't disappointed with Persona. First time dining here (obviously--since the place just opened) but can't lie that I was very taken with the food. The concept (stand in line and pick out the toppings) seems ill-suited for the busy lunch crowd and noticed quite a few folks looking uncomfortable in the order line, but if you ignore the business model and focus on the food, it's definitely a winner: a thin, light crust with that delicious, hallmark flavor that is blackened/charred/crispy (you know it if you've seen it--it's awesome). All the toppings in the selection process were of nice quality. Size: The pizza is sized so that it's almost just a little too big to polish one off yourself but a tad too small to split and be full (unless perhaps you get a few more toppings). Had the Salsiccia specialty and really loved it. This is a big space for a $10 pizza; so I hope it can make it--would love to be able to refer this place to friends for a long time to come. Atmosphere is nice too, kinda modern, sparse, clean decor (not all cobbled up with Italian bric-a-brac and tchotckies)

a gimmick
Reviewer: Mike from Santa Barbara, CA
Not very good pizza. Noticed many of the plates had pizza still on them as guests left.(at least the crust) Not a good sign. Not sure how you would fix the problem as the restaurant it set up for this concept. It is what it is. Not much for $7.Great but skimpy cheese. Hard to compete in this price space with Subway. Sorry to say but 4 months max. Hope I am wrong. The order line is painfully slow but your pizza is done when you get through it. Nice. Just seems like you stand a long time.

Excellent, best pizza in town
Reviewer: David from Santa Barbara, CA
I joined a good friend here for lunch today. They have been open exactly one week and the place had a steady flow of customers. It took us a few minutes to understand the menu. You start with one of three base pizzas ($7) then you can add on a variety of toppings, or just stick with the base. They also have three or four custom speciality pizzas. We went with the Margherita and a custom one with just a few toppings. Everyone is super friendly including the pizza makers, the owner, the cashier. Smiles all around. The pizzas cook in a wood burning oven that's at 700 degrees. I am told next week they are going to increase it to 1000 degrees. By the time we paid, got our water, and sat down, the pizza had already arrived. They aren't kidding when they say it cooks in 30-60 seconds. The pizza is delicious. I love how light and delicate it is and you can really taste the quality of each ingredient. They are not heavy handed with the sea salt or olive oil, which I appreciate; just really enough to contribute to the overall flavor profile of the pizza. For $10 you can get a 12" pizza (we each had 3 slices leftover) and a drink. Is this the best lunch bargain in town or what? I will be back here for sure.

Yummy!
Reviewer: D from Santa Barbara, CA
Really tasty pizza!! It's a fun concept of creating your own pizza ( subway style) the crust was perfect. Prices Reasonable. Salads need more dressing.

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