Leona's Cucina Italiana

My order was late, but that doesn't matter. Place is busy for a reason. Great old school Italian flavor. Amazing sauce. Amazing bread. Amazing cheese. If you are in SD, you must stop by or order from this place! GLORIOUS

Ordered through Door Dash and the food was amazing! I’m always on the hunt for the best Italian food and this place did not disappoint! My only complaint is I wish the Caesar salad had shaved Parmesan instead of grated.

I tried numerous Italian restaurants in San Diego, but this place in particular is the best I've had so far. They have a diverse menu, and their customer service is always stellar. I highly suggest trying their pastas!

I love Leona's... Probably the first "quality pizza" that I had in San Diego (This is coming from a New Yorker!!) I've lived here for over 2 years now and this is one of the only pizza places I find to be even remotely acceptable. Not sure what it is about CA... but this state desperately struggles to produce good pizza. This place is one of the exceptions. Also, their pasta dishes are absolutely delicious. My boyfriend and I order the half and half specials from time to time and we've never been disappointed.

The food is phenomenal. The service is wonderful. The marinara made me sing Puccini and the alfredo made me weep like Pagliacci. The garlic bread alone is why San Diego doesn't have any vampires. Please do yourself a favor and eat here. At least weekly.

I haven't given a review yet out of sheer laziness. But I really need to let people know how great this place is! We have gone a few times within a month. My wife hated marinara sauces...until I got spaghetti from here and she then stole my food! We have tried a few different things and it is all amazing!! They are so sweet and she even gave us a cheesecake for our anniversary 😊❤. They are a gem please please go to th for a great meal. You will not be disappointed.

I ordered off of Postmates. The food was hot and delicious. True Italian food. The portions are Great!!!! definitely enough for 2 maybe 3 meals. The garlic bread is so tasty and it's huge!! The food was seasoned to perfection, even the side sale which was so simple was so good because of the freshness and dressing. We definitely have to come and enjoy this amazing food in person!

What a great find. Ordered the lasagna/spaghetti combo with meatballs, and for the hubby linguine baby clam and shrimp, with a side of cheese garlic bread. Not to mention it came with a side of amazing soup (or salad if you wanted) and a giant piece of garlic bread...okay, deal! Ordering was easy with texts to give ETA, delivery was great and exactly the time quoted, and food was amazing. Not one thing to complain about.The price was great too, with portions big enough for leftovers or enough to share. Highly recommend.

Sooo yummy! The staff is the sweetest! You get so much food for price and every bite is delicious!

Minestrone is what I always order and it is SO good. I like this place because you get what you pay for: fair portions and enough garlic bread to dip in your marinara once your yummy lasagna is gone! I’ve mostly ordered to go but have come in about twice and the establishment is nice and clean. Thank you for the great food and customer service.

Wow. Though the wait for my food was almost am hour and a half, it was well worth it. The food portions are enough for two or three people to share. I ordered shrimp primavera, pizza, and wings. Every bite was delicious and the whole family loved the tastiness of the food.

I have been here my fair share of times, the lunch special is the best deal in town. The food tastes great, the portions are great, and so are the prices. Ignore Any post about bad delivery service, they don't deliver, not their fault if uber or whatever messed up your order or it got to you cold. Place looks well taken care of by the owner, and fresh as reasonably possible, so any food poisoning BS probably comes from people who don't wash their hands before eating.

Cheesiest cheese if that's a thing. Friendliest staff to me personally, so that's why this is the only pizza place I go to get the best quality ingredients. I recommend the 4 cheese pizza with pesto sauce instead of regular sauce thank me later ;) switch it up once in a while.

I had spaghetti and their pizza. To be honest, the food is just high quality cafeteria food. I mean that as a complement. I honestly can't complain considering its cheaper than dominos down the street when it comes to their specialty pizzas also taste better than Domino’s. while I don’t think this place has better pizza than the more premium places near Northpark. if you’re in the area of this pizza. This place will serve you relatively good food on a budget! when it comes to their spaghetti, it definitely screams high quality school cafeteria spaghetti. again, I mean cafeteria as a high compliment. well, I think this place can easily improve on the quality. As long as the prices don’t creep up. i’m all for it. I guess on top of that, this food comes out fast. I was able to call them to get a 16 inch pizza with half-and-half specialty and pick it up in about 15 minutes. all the other places normally would take closer to 30.

So after a long day, we needed something quick to eat and why not pizza, i called it in and the pizza special was priced well, ingredients where all portioned well, the place was newly renovated , very enticing, i will definitely go back to try the other menu items ☺️☺️

Had the love pizza and the buffalo wings. Food was good, service was great!

We love Leona's! Our experience has been nothing pleasant time after time. The pizza and service have been nothing less than outstanding as well. My children love it, and I do too. I order the eggplant parmesan sub and each time I get nice crispy eggplant and great seasoning.

Great family owned pizza shop. For 20 years have searched for a great Boston/New York style pizza in San Diego. The only place I ever found was the Venetian over in Point Loma, which is too far from me, now being without a car. Reasonable prices, pizza the way you wanted it and an excellent house salad. Are usually go for takeout there, and they are open late. The first picture is of Leona herself as I am about to pay. She’s working awfully hard, I’ve been there more than a dozen times the past 2 1/2 years and she’s always there making the pizza and manning the counter. This is the kind of business that deserves our support here in City Heights.

Ordered three different pastas and a large Hawaiian for about 90 bucks. Everything was great 👍

Jorge “George” Mendoza

I had spaghetti and their pizza. To be honest, the food is just high quality cafeteria food. I mean that as a complement. I honestly can't complain considering its cheaper than dominos down the street when it comes to their specialty pizzas also taste better than Domino’s. while I don’t think this place has better pizza than the more premium places near Northpark. if you’re in the area of this pizza. This place will serve you relatively good food on a budget! when it comes to their spaghetti, it definitely screams high quality school cafeteria spaghetti. again, I mean cafeteria as a high compliment. well, I think this place can easily improve on the quality. As long as the prices don’t creep up. i’m all for it. I guess on top of that, this food comes out fast. I was able to call them to get a 16 inch pizza with half-and-half specialty and pick it up in about 15 minutes. all the other places normally would take closer to 30.

Jessica Bondoc

So after a long day, we needed something quick to eat and why not pizza, i called it in and the pizza special was priced well, ingredients where all portioned well, the place was newly renovated , very enticing, i will definitely go back to try the other menu items ☺️☺️

cristina pulido

Had the love pizza and the buffalo wings. Food was good, service was great!

Candyce Raiford

We love Leona's! Our experience has been nothing pleasant time after time. The pizza and service have been nothing less than outstanding as well. My children love it, and I do too. I order the eggplant parmesan sub and each time I get nice crispy eggplant and great seasoning.

Richard Trepsas

Great family owned pizza shop. For 20 years have searched for a great Boston/New York style pizza in San Diego. The only place I ever found was the Venetian over in Point Loma, which is too far from me, now being without a car. Reasonable prices, pizza the way you wanted it and an excellent house salad. Are usually go for takeout there, and they are open late. The first picture is of Leona herself as I am about to pay. She’s working awfully hard, I’ve been there more than a dozen times the past 2 1/2 years and she’s always there making the pizza and manning the counter. This is the kind of business that deserves our support here in City Heights.

Juan Luis Gutierrez

Ordered three different pastas and a large Hawaiian for about 90 bucks. Everything was great 👍

Ordered via DoorDash even tho I live close 😅 seriously the best meal I’ve had all year. Every item was perfect. Do yourself a favor and try this spot.

Wow! This place is AWESOME! Food was on point, and the staff was extremely courteous. If you are in the area, this place is a must! The calzones are HUGE and delicious. The alfredo pizza is to die for! We can't wait to go back!

Great mom and pop pizza joint! Delicious pizzas and that is coming from my family who have quite the palette. Love love love the pesto pizza, the aroma beats any chain pizza. Reasonable pricing. Highly recommend. Located in a plaza, so feel free to park on the street or in the plaza when going in to pick up your order. Originally found this gem on an delivery service app, but now I usually order on their direct website hosted by beyond menu vs an affiliate that charges more and pays them less.

My new favorite burrito spot. Hella good, you can tell they take pride in there food. The little things they do all add up.

The place is under new management! The owners are so friendly, sweet, and caring. It truly feels like a family restaurant and I cannot understate it. The food was beyond delicious, and my family loved it. We ordered the Family Special, which included Salad, a Large 16" 1 Topping Pizza, we got pepperoni, lasagna, and 4 slices of garlic bread (which are huge!). Everything was delicious, and we were all left more than full and had plenty leftovers. Definitely coming back, and this is probably my new favorite.

Nikki Cox

Ordered via DoorDash even tho I live close 😅 seriously the best meal I’ve had all year. Every item was perfect. Do yourself a favor and try this spot.

Jay Cee

Wow! This place is AWESOME! Food was on point, and the staff was extremely courteous. If you are in the area, this place is a must! The calzones are HUGE and delicious. The alfredo pizza is to die for! We can't wait to go back!

Johnny Hoegemeier

I tried numerous Italian restaurants in San Diego, but this place in particular is the best I've had so far. They have a diverse menu, and their customer service is always stellar. I highly suggest trying their pastas!

Luis

The place is under new management! The owners are so friendly, sweet, and caring. It truly feels like a family restaurant and I cannot understate it. The food was beyond delicious, and my family loved it. We ordered the Family Special, which included Salad, a Large 16" 1 Topping Pizza, we got pepperoni, lasagna, and 4 slices of garlic bread (which are huge!). Everything was delicious, and we were all left more than full and had plenty leftovers. Definitely coming back, and this is probably my new favorite.

Mike Rolfs

The food is phenomenal. The service is wonderful. The marinara made me sing Puccini and the alfredo made me weep like Pagliacci. The garlic bread alone is why San Diego doesn't have any vampires. Please do yourself a favor and eat here. At least weekly.

We bought 2 large subs & there was VERY thin slices of meat & cheese..and the oil & vinegar was omitted..plus the sandwiches weren't cut in half??!! We will give them another chance since we've been there b4 & this is a 1st! Their antipasta & greek salads are great tho! The service is always great as well..

This little restaurant is a personal favorite of mine in City Heights. Great pizza choices and they are delicious. My other favorites are their meatball sandwiches and Philly cheese steaks, I prefer to have my meals delivered than dining in. Friendly staff and clean inside the restaurant. I recommend

Food was surprisingly fresh. Staff was attentive and service was quick. Garlic bread was hearty, salad was crisp, and dishes were large and tasty. I was satisfied. Neighborhood is a little sketchy... If you live here though, make sure you check it out. Meals were a little pricey for me but included the bread and salad. I wouldn't necessarily make my way to visit again but I'd recommend it to those in the area.

Stopped in before a show at Tower Bar across the street. Solid pre-game pizza & subs.

The food was delicious and I enjoyed every bite. However I do not agree with the prices, a little expensive.

JO Cordero

Food was surprisingly fresh. Staff was attentive and service was quick. Garlic bread was hearty, salad was crisp, and dishes were large and tasty. I was satisfied. Neighborhood is a little sketchy... If you live here though, make sure you check it out. Meals were a little pricey for me but included the bread and salad. I wouldn't necessarily make my way to visit again but I'd recommend it to those in the area.

Tim Fears

Stopped in before a show at Tower Bar across the street. Solid pre-game pizza & subs.

Angel Mora

The food was delicious and I enjoyed every bite. However I do not agree with the prices, a little expensive.

I miss Etnas that was across from Hoovers so much. Had been going there for years and years for my Vegetarian Calzone!! Well I think I just found my new go to for the same. Tastes just as good as Etnas did. I might add though that the marinara sauce I asked for on the side to use with the calzone is a little richer in flavor than Etnas was. 😋

jul bar (Jules)

I miss Etnas that was across from Hoovers so much. Had been going there for years and years for my Vegetarian Calzone!! Well I think I just found my new go to for the same. Tastes just as good as Etnas did. I might add though that the marinara sauce I asked for on the side to use with the calzone is a little richer in flavor than Etnas was. 😋

Leona!! I just heard you moved to FL. I’m originally from NY and Your Lasagna was the closest tasting I’d been able to find since moving to San Diego…But it just doesn’t taste the same anymore. I’m not sure if it was your touch of love that was missing or the lack of much pasta and ricotta cheese. You will be missed! All the best to you in FL☀️

I loved the plants, the pizza was not worth the price though.

We ordered food from here off doordash. Shrimp Alfredo and it smelt bad, tasted terrible. The garlic bread is burnt. The only thing good was the salad.

Page Ashby

We ordered food from here off doordash. Shrimp Alfredo and it smelt bad, tasted terrible. The garlic bread is burnt. The only thing good was the salad.

I like the place, I've ordered from here before and loved the food but it always been though delivery. This time I ordered online, and found that there was a discount that could be applied to my order. I ordered it and went to go pick it up. They charged me without the discount and made me pay even more than I was supposed to pay in the total without the dicount from what the online receipt stated. After mentioning this to the lady upfront, she stated that they didn't have my order in the system but the food was ready go if that makes sense. And when recreating my order in there system, they charged me more than my online receipt.

Ordered a pizza at 8:05pm and was given “latest delivery” time of 8:51. Was told multiple times that the driver was “on his way” and it finally showed up at 9:41 after I’d asked to cancel it twice. So the food was sitting in the car for at least an hour? We refused the delivery and were only offered a 50% refund. Not cool.

Very bad service in there take out menu the can drink is written 1.50 and they charging 2.69 told me that my order will be ready in 10 and they took 40 min while the restaurant was not busy at all .very bad never coming back . Before they use to have good management I miss old owners

Sorry to say it was a 1st time to order here. Went by reviews and photos. Took over an hour to deliver. Big portion of. Half half meat lasagna/spaghetti/ordered extra meatball. Not very big. But sauce was too sweet and heavy on tomato paste. Side minestrone soup lacked veggies, garlic bread had no flavor. Overall everything lacked flavor. Sorry but don't recommend. Very disappointed to pay hard earned money for a lack luster meal.

We used to love this place. The last time I ordered, I gave the benefit of the doubt, but we ordered last night, and everything was terrible. The pizza sub was clearly cooked in bulk, then frozen for quicker cooking. It just tasted like freezer burn. It was still cold in the middle too. It was disgusting. The pizzas were overcooked. The garlic bread was just a slice of thin stale bread with margarine on it? I'm so disappointed because it used to be one of our favorite restaurants. At least the crows ate it....

We have been ordering their fried mozzarella sticks for years. It was very common for us to place an order for just multiple orders of them. But we just ordered this weekend, and they’ve changed their vendor. My wife and I are incredibly bummed and now have to seek out a new restaurant. They went from delicious battered mozz sticks to the gross bread crumb mozz sticks. Huge difference, and huge downgrade. I hope management sees this and goes back to their previous vendor.

Holy crap, do NOT order the fettuccine Alfredo from this place! I almost immediately vomited taking a bite. The chicken tasted rotten, the “sauce” was like white water with no flavor. What an insult to Italian food. And the nerve to charge $18 for that slop. I am in shock at how bad that was. You have ITALIAN in your name, for Gods sake. You should go out of business just on the Alfredo alone. So disappointed! AND WHY DO YOU HAVE TO WATER THE RANCH AND CEASAR DRESSING DOWN??? UNBELIEVABLE.

Phil Salwan

We have been ordering their fried mozzarella sticks for years. It was very common for us to place an order for just multiple orders of them. But we just ordered this weekend, and they’ve changed their vendor. My wife and I are incredibly bummed and now have to seek out a new restaurant. They went from delicious battered mozz sticks to the gross bread crumb mozz sticks. Huge difference, and huge downgrade. I hope management sees this and goes back to their previous vendor.

S Smith

Holy crap, do NOT order the fettuccine Alfredo from this place! I almost immediately vomited taking a bite. The chicken tasted rotten, the “sauce” was like white water with no flavor. What an insult to Italian food. And the nerve to charge $18 for that slop. I am in shock at how bad that was. You have ITALIAN in your name, for Gods sake. You should go out of business just on the Alfredo alone. So disappointed! AND WHY DO YOU HAVE TO WATER THE RANCH AND CEASAR DRESSING DOWN??? UNBELIEVABLE.

randi siegall

Sorry to say it was a 1st time to order here. Went by reviews and photos. Took over an hour to deliver. Big portion of. Half half meat lasagna/spaghetti/ordered extra meatball. Not very big. But sauce was too sweet and heavy on tomato paste. Side minestrone soup lacked veggies, garlic bread had no flavor. Overall everything lacked flavor. Sorry but don't recommend. Very disappointed to pay hard earned money for a lack luster meal.

Cristina F

We used to love this place. The last time I ordered, I gave the benefit of the doubt, but we ordered last night, and everything was terrible. The pizza sub was clearly cooked in bulk, then frozen for quicker cooking. It just tasted like freezer burn. It was still cold in the middle too. It was disgusting. The pizzas were overcooked. The garlic bread was just a slice of thin stale bread with margarine on it? I'm so disappointed because it used to be one of our favorite restaurants. At least the crows ate it....