Deep dish pie purveyors Berkeley Pizza, inspired by Chicago-style by way of the Bay Area pizza places including Zachary's in Berkeley and Oakland, got their first start at the Little Italy Mercato before opening their first storefront downtown on Island Ave. in 2011, a dine-in shop that houses 12 beer taps.

Known for his stuffed pizza, which layers cheese and fillings between two crusts, with tomato sauce on top, Berkeley Pizza owner Danny Palacios is now bringing his signature creations to San Diego's craft beer epicenter. A new outpost of Berkeley Pizza is headed to 30th Street, to a former upholstery store space tucked in between Coin Op Game Room and The Office.

When the buildout is complete by mid-April, the pizza palace will also serve salads and increase the number of beer taps to 24. The original store offers takeout and delivery options in addition to dine-in service, so expect the same here, as well as a potential new late night dining spot; the downtown location is open until 3 a.m. on weekends.

· Berkeley Pizza [Official Site]

· All Expansionwire Coverage on Eater [~ESD~]