Gianni’s Pizza
725 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 649-1500
Gianni’s Pizza deserves its place as the indisputable titan of pizzerias in all of Monterey County. Hungry patrons from neighboring towns like Salinas travel to Monterey to satisfy their craving for the ultimate authentic pepperoni and sausage, combination and Hawaiian pies, but the monster meatballs, loaded gooey calzones and old-school full bar deserve attention, too. The downhome decor (picnic tables, red-and-white checkered tablecloths and small candles at the center of tables) make dining out a deliciously quaint experience.