Pesto Craft Kitchen (SDSU area)

mmm-yoso!!! welcomes you back to reading about food in San Diego. Kirk has been working a lot of (weekend) overtime and Cathy is writing a few posts., like this one.

Customized, wood fired oven pizzas have been a restaurant phenomenon since about 2014. I've written two posts about Pieology and one post about Blaze.  Pesto Craft Kitchen took over what originally was the location of Social Life Neapolitan Pizza in 2016. Pesto offers more than customizable pizza and salads.
The menu is visible when you walk in (this is an old photo with old prices because I apparently could not take a clear picture of it in the last year). (Use THIS link to see current prices on the website)
You walk along the ordering line.
A decadent snack served here are these delightful 'garlic knots', you can purchase 4 or 8 as an appetizer.   
You can sort of see the fire in the oven through the protective glass.
There is an extensive selection of wines and beers.
 We started with the calamari fries ($9.95) These are served with a roasted garlic spicy tomato sauce. Meaty strips of squid, breaded with a herb-y coating.  A large portion, apparently meant to be shared or this could be a low-carb meal.
  When we do enjoy a pasta dish, baked is preferred.In this case, four cheese ravioli ($13.95) which had craft pesto and was topped with marinara and mozzarella. The pasta, cheese fillings, pesto, marinara and even the side of toasted garlic bread were each distinctive in fresh flavors.  This was a filling meal…yet we wanted more.  
I went back in line and ordered a smoked ham calzone ($9.95)
 Mozzarella and ricotta are the cheeses, the wood fired crust had the char that gave the crust flavor and crunch.  The cheeses, the bit of marinara sauce…this was wonderful.  We had a bite in the restaurant and took the rest home for dinner.  A great day of meals. 

Pesto Italian Craft Kitchen  6011 El Cajon Blvd, Suite A San Diego, CA 92115 (619)265-2700 Website Open Sun-Thurs 10:30-9:30, closes at 10:00 Fri-Sat