Sonny’s Pizza

Perhaps it’s Sonny’s sly understatement that won over DishingPizza. Sonny’s correctly bills itself as a neighborhood pizza joint that slings square slices. However, this circa 2019 Park View, DC pizzeria doesn’t advertise these design elements:

1. Signage – Although Sonny’s has the requisite neon “Sonny’s” sign in the doorway, it’s the vintage “PIZZA” lettering that makes a statement, reminiscent of Tony Soprano’s Bergen County, New Jersey storefronts during the opening credits.
2. Interior – Furniture repurposed from a bowling alley may be uncomfortable, but it has a retro look.
3. No Kisses – To reach the rear patio, one must traverse a serpentine hallway maze off the restaurant, and pass through the dark, groovy No Kisses Bar, the first of Sonny’s two adjacent sibling establishments.¹ The juxtaposition of the analog-era Sonny’s and the neon-electric No Kisses is a shocking and exciting surprise. Mia and Vincent wouldn’t be out of place canoodling in a velvet banquette, sipping McCleary blended scotch for a nightcap after Jack Rabbit Slim’s.²
4. The Van – The capacious, covered, all-weather, rear patio is filled with standard-issue beer garden picnic tables.³ However, the centerpiece of the space is a gleaming 1974 Citroen H van repurposed as a drink car.

Sonny’s pizza defies easy classification. Although it’s thick and rectangular, it’s neither Detroit-style nor Sicilian. Other reviewers refer to Sonny’s pizza as “grandma-style,” but DishingPizza’s grandma never made pizza, so this is a foreign concept.

Charmingly served on middle school lunch trays, the 12″ x 16″ pizzas are substantial and heavy. Although DishingPizza had two slices, less pizza-obsessed diners might be satisfied by a single slice.

The bready, soft, expertly baked crust is a star. Tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings go edge-to-edge on these pies, leaving no naked crust and contributing to the weight and fillingness of each slice. The fresh, mild tomato sauce and thin, even coat of mozzarella and parmesan complete a delicious and unfussy pizza.

Go for the terrific design and friendly atmosphere. Stay for the fantastic pizza.

¹ The second of Sonny’s sibling establishments is Doubles, a ping pong-themed coffee bar and community space. Sonny’s entrepreneurial ambitiousness, expanding their footprint to adjacent businesses to enliven the neighborhood, is far preferable to creating additional Sonny’s locations.

² Readers requiring an explanation of this Pulp Fiction reference probably shouldn’t go to No Kisses Bar.

³ DishingPizza visited on a Tuesday night – trivia night. Tables were filled with young patrons eager to flex their trivia muscles.

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Sonny’s Pizza
3120 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20010

Style: Dunno

Pizza quality: 🍕🍕🍕🍕
Overall experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Slice: $4.75
Slice price per square inch: $0.20
Slice greed factor: 🤑

Pie (12″ x 16″): $28
Pie price per square inch: $0.15