Oggi’s Pizza & Brewery - Vista

Classic diner-interior. Decently busy on a Wednesday lunch. Pizza was nice, beers were so-so. Good service, prices were acceptable.

Date. . . . . . . . . . ...9.13.15
Type. . . . . . . . . . ..Chain Brewpub, Sportsbar
Location. . . . . . . ..Stripmall
Prices. . . . . . . . . ..Normal to Higher
Tap Selection. . . .Large, 10 House Beers, 15+ Guest Taps
Bottle Selection. .10 Guest Micro and Macro
Full Bar. . . . . . . . .Yes
Samplers. . . . . . ..Yes
Full Pours. . . . . . .Yes
Beer Level. . . . . ..Below Average
Food Level. . . . ...Below Average
Staff. . . . . . . . . . ..Friendly, On-Point
Growlers. . . . . . ..Unclear
Noise Level. . . . ..Louder
Décor. . . . . . . . . ..Clean, High-Ceilings, 15 TVs
Kid Friendly. . . . .Yes
Dog Friendly. . . ..On Patio
Parking. . . . . . . ...Private Lot
Cash Only. . . . . ..No
Recommended. ..No
Comments: Came here to watch football with a group of 5. Our server was quite engaging and on-point even given the large amount of tables she had. I was advised to not try the hot wings or their house beers. I ordered Port Wipeout IPA on tap. Beer came out and was an un-hopped (non-bitter) honey ale of sorts that tasted like unsweetened tea. So not even an old or heat damaged keg of Port Wipeout; simply not the right beer. I asked the server about this and was told that was the beer she put in. I don’t doubt it, but the keg lines were probably switched around with something else, probably one of their house beers. Went for Ballast Point Sculpin instead (older keg but drinkable). Moved on to Belching Beaver Great Lei, finally, something fresh. Kid friendly stuffed the place with kids while parents watched football, but it seemed to be a non-issue. We ordered the BBQ Chicken Pizza and the crust tasted like raw dough. Sauce was very salty. The cheese sort of slid off the crust trying to eat it. Total bill for a medium pizza and 3 beers with tax and tip was $50. So overall, I was disappointed and probably will not be back. Pizza Port is sounding like a perfect substitute right about now.

Visited December 6, 2014.

This isn’t far from the freeway but it’s kind of out of the way for any beer tourism and it’s not like Oggi’s is a beer nerd destination these days. If you’re heading down Melrose all you’ll see from the road is the word pizza so head towards that. This originally closed in 2006 or so, then it went through at least a couple different ownerships and names (you can reference the yelp ratings if you want to follow the progression), and now it’s Oggi’s again. According to the bartender the chain was not happy with the way the replacement ran so they removed the name. Not all that exciting but it’s all stuff I learned while trying to figure out if this place was still open.

This is in a large shopping center but off to one end and this portion of the parking lot is a lot smaller than the rest. Inside is very new looking. Lots of tables spread across several eating areas and a bar with stools around 3 sides of it. They have a number of both house and guest beers. They had two new beers for us to try: the imperial India pale lager (just tasted like a malt liquor, minimal hop presence) and the oaked version of the Torrey Pines IPA (tasted very woody). Apparently the barrel aged IPA was aged in bourbon and wine barrels, but it really tasted like oak chips with no spirit/wine character. Oh well. Not a fan of either. We watched a bit of the college football games (don’t even remember who it was to be honest) and took off. Didn’t eat. The service was friendly and as helpful as they could be without knowing much about the beer.

This is definitely not a beer nerd destination.

I wouldn’t go back, and I admit I’m basing that almost solely on the decor and ambiance. WAY too Fakey McNewbuilding. Weirdly like a bad Mexican place crossed with a dentist’s office. The only alluring thing they had on tap was their signature stout aged in a Grand Marnier barrel. This was worth the trip, though as I said, it isn’t worth another.

Friday lunch, I walk in, and it’s pretty quite. A beautiful place, with very beautiful servers. I order a flight of tasters for $7.50: California Gold, Sweet Spot Hefe, sunset amber, McGarvey’s, Black Magic Stout, Paradise Pale, Torrey Pines IPA, and specials of 101 IPA and Grand Marnier Stout, Certainly the best of the Oggies as others have said. Food and beers are pretty good, but it’s tough to compete with nearby greatness of Lost Abbey, Green Flash, and Stone.

I like Oggis, but this has got to be the best bar Oggis has to offer. Very courteous staff willing to talk about the brews. Good food as always.

Visited earlier in the day so the place was not packed, sports on the television. I did not eat anything here but a small sampler, which was okay. The beer selection was better than expected with a few new Oggi’s beers (101 IIPA, BA Stout) on tap. I could dig this place if I lived here.The service was prompt and friendly.

My favorite Oggis. Too bad it takes me nearly a friggen hour to get to this one. Why can’t the Oggis in Mission Valley be this good? Anyway, unlike some of the other Oggis, this one generally has special beers on tap, such as Stinger, Hop Whompus, Hop Juice, etc. Plus, they sell 750 ml. of Witch Doctor and Diablo to go.

Pretty waitresses, sports on the TVs, great beer, and great food. The selection is limited to crappy macros and Oggi’s own brews, but their range is diverse. Their standard calzonne and Paradise Pale Ale is one of the best meals in the area, IMO.

Good pizza. Good beer. Missed out on Hop Whompus. Dang!