Pizza Orgasmica & Brewing Company– brewpub
Contract brewed by Devil’s Canyon Brewery, Belmont, CA
The Richmond
823 Clement @ 9th Ave (Google Map)
Official Site | BeerAdvocate | Yelp
House microbrew: $4.50, with $3.50 nightly specials
Open at 11am, closes Sun-Wed midnight, Thu 1am, Fri/Sat 2am
MUNI: 1, 2, 28, 38, 44
Approaching Pizza Orgasmica, you will find two entrances, both of which look like back doors. On the left, you can enter into what I guess would be called the main dining room, across from the kitchen. It’s not your typical pizza joint in there, though. Chairs are nowhere to be found, as diners sit on cushions on the floor at low tables in two large U shapes. (One dining companion used the term “pizza brothel.”) It’s dark, intimate, and fairly unique outside of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurants. Behind this area is a more conventional dining area, for those who can’t get off the floor once they’re on it, or for those scared of the dark.
Through the other door (or through this back dining area) is the bar area. Much of this area is visible in this TV commercial for the place, which I’m really linking to because it stars one of my favorite ex-bartenders from Lucky 13. Of note are a large, Garden of Eden-inspired mural across from the bar, and a plethora of televisions ranging in size from large to wow. There’s a nice, long bar, behind which you’ll find six “house” brews and six guest taps, as well as a full bar. There are a bunch of tables across from the bar, and a few couches and other seating options scattered about the rest of the spacious room. I’ve never seen the place crowded, but that may be because I’ve never been during a major sporting event, of which they apparently show most. I do know you can show up and most any point on a Friday night and have a seat or four waiting for you.
Pitchers are available, but I’d recommend starting off with a flight, partially so you can see what-all they have to offer, but mostly because, well, let’s just say they’re better known for their pizza, which is a creative brand of California-style, quite well-regarded by locals. Service has always been laid-back but quick and quite friendly (there’s a definite Santa Cruz kinda feel to it, really).
It’s admittedly not the best destination for beer touring purposes, but if you do find yourself in the Richmond, it’s a great place for pizza and to see what’s coming out of the Peninsula.
While you’re in the neighborhood…
540 Club, 540 Clement @ 7th Ave
3 Comments
July 23, 2009 at 9:47 am
on the contract brewing issue – even though it’s brewed there, pizza orgamica has it’s own brewmaster, Rev. (or at least they used to, i don’t know if that’s changed)
Rev used to work at sf brewcraft before taking over the brewing duties – he would head out there, and brew on their system, but it is undeniably their own own. This practice is fairly common too, since it allows those with big brew system to sublet time, and those who can’t have breweries still offer custom beer.
July 23, 2009 at 11:11 am
Lemme get this straight. You bailed on Broken Record (roasted corn w/ chorizo butter!!!!!) so you could go to the pizzeria in my hood? It’s def. not a beer destination. I’m pretty sure Mike from Brewcraft is at least the asst brewer for Orgasmica still.
BTW, Broken Record has their own contract beer, but it’s made by Firestone-Walker. “Fuck Your Stupid Wheat Beer.”
July 23, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for the tips, guys!
Brian- I stayed home last night, I just finished writing PO up last night (I visited on Saturday). Trust me, I wanted to go; haven’t been to BR in like a year.