2145 Pizza in Costa Mesa was once a gas station auto garage on the corner of Placentia Ave. and Victoria St. Since opening in April 2017, they’ve served up some of the best food in Orange County.
2145 maintains the facade of an auto garage with sliding doors and a wide open floor plan. Their unique look goes along with a distinct dining experience unlike any restaurant in the area.
The indoor dining space features large communal tables and a prominently rectangular bar. Outdoor seating is set on an adjacent patio under a web of string lights, providing a backyard feel perfect for those warm SoCal nights.
Pizza boxes and wood for the oven
By: Matthew Mendoza
“We have an interesting vibe,” says Vanessa Brandon, general manager of 2145. “People talk about the music, the feel. It’s very open, so it’s a great atmosphere for people.”
She adds, “We’re very relatable. We try to build that experience with people while enjoying a simple thing like pizza.”
The one-of-a-kind aesthetic mirrors their unconventional pizza menu, which offers a mix of Japanese and Italian flavors. Head Chef Eduardo Salcedo uses a 12-year-old dough starter he brought back from Japan.
“Our chef has big Italian and Japanese influences, so we work off of that,” says Sous Chef Raul Saucedo.
The pizzas are prepared with familiar Italian ingredients alongside a Japanese fermentation process for the dough. Small plates of Japanese stylings play up the fused menu. The shishito peppers, wagyu corn dogs, and oyakodon arancini exemplify the melding of multiple influences.
“We see all the same food everywhere. There’s so many ingredients and different things you can do, so we like to play around a lot,” says Saucedo.
As the seasons change, so follows the menu. They’ve offered special dishes for different events throughout the year, such as sliders on Memorial day and black dough pizza for an All Hallows’ Eve dinner party on Halloween.
Local beers, sake and wine are what’s up at 2145
By: Matthew Mendoza
With a youthful staff and crowd, 2145 hosts a lively and laid-back dining experience.
“The service is very casual and young, with a lot of energy,” says Roberto Espinoza, “bartender captain” at 2145.
Espinoza’s goal is that all guests enjoy the service and the food, and that they have fun in the relaxed environment.
The bar boasts a variety of local beers from several SoCal breweries in addition to select wines and sake.
For weekend refreshment, 2145 features a brunch menu from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Brunch includes traditional menu items plus exclusives such as a variety of toasts and breakfast-themed pizzas. And for you day drinkers, bottomless mimosas.
2145 Pizza’s out-of the ordinary dining experience and piquant pizzas make it the perfect place for a night out with friends, a date, or a go-to dinner spot.
Tusk’s Favorite Menu Items
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- Spicy Salami Pizza By: Matthew Mendoza
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- Brussels Sprouts By: Matthew Mendoza
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- French Fries By: Matthew Mendoza
Spicy Salami Pizza
If you can’t handle the heat, then this pizza is not for you. The salami is spicy, the chile is spicy, the whole pizza is spicy! But also extremely flavorful.
Brussel Sprouts
For someone who does not enjoy brussel sprouts, these are amazing. The red wine and mustard vinaigrette topped with pistachios pair perfectly for a surprisingly satisfying dish. Plus they’re great for sharing.
Fries
2145’s take on this classic side is superb. The fries themselves are savory and the accompanying sauces are a sublime complement.
2145 Pizza
2145 PLACENTIA AVENUE
COSTA MESA, CA, 92627
