2025 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards Best Pizza Winner: Riip Beer & Pizzeria

Riip Beer and Pizza

From Chicago deep dish to thin-crust New York slices to Sicilian-style slabs, Huntington Beach pizza shops have added their own twists to these regional pies. But the people have spoken, and there’s a clear favorite. Voted the Best Pizza in the Surf City USA® Foodie Awards, Riip Beer & Pizzeria offers a family-friendly experience, a variety of options, and phenomenal flavors at its two locations in Sunset Beach and South HB. This two-time winner also has a world-class brewing facility on Pacific Coast Highway, taking top honors in 2025 for the Best Beer in Huntington Beach.

Transforming an icon

Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub closed its doors for the last time in 2021, ending an era for the beloved Huntington Beach sports bar at the corner of Magnolia Street and Garfield Avenue. Though South HB lost a legend, it gained a new neighborhood hangout spot with the opening of Riip Beer & Pizzeria in 2022. 

The classic dark dive bar interior is no more, though the iconic Fitzgerald’s floor-to-ceiling wood paneling (said to be sourced straight from Ireland) remains. Picnic-style benches have replaced the bar stools and billiards tables, and Edison bulbs strung from the ceiling add a festive flair. The result is a pub with character, one that’s welcoming for all ages and occasions, be it a youth sports team celebration or dinner with friends. 

The success of Riip Beer & Pizzeria led to the opening of a second pizza spot next to the original brewery in Sunset Beach. It’s the perfect pairing, making it easy for craft beer connoisseurs to grab a slice and head over to the tap room to try the newest release. This new location features a small video arcade for kids (and the young at heart) and a dog-friendly patio so you can bring your four-legged friends.

Must-try pizza

Riip pizza

You can’t go wrong with a classic thin slice at Riip Beer & Pizzeria. The dough is made fresh and fermented for 72 hours, then hand-stretched before being fired in the brick oven for that perfect amount of char. Biting into the crisp crust offers a satisfying crunch and texture, amplified by creative toppings like whole mozzarella, caramelized onion, pineapple, jalapeno, pepperoni, bacon, garlic oil, and everything bagel seasoning (Stay Loose, Haole). 

For an unforgettable bite, have Riip fire up a chewy Detroit-style pan pizza. A square pie, this style features a thick, golden crust with perfectly caramelized edges and piping hot cheese bubbling over a signature tangy sauce. Each pie is piled high with toppings like chicken and gorgonzola or jalapeno bacon cheddar sausage (don’t forget to dip it in your side of white cheddar beer cheese!). The hot honey drizzle is an epic addition to nearly any slice. 

Limited-offering specialty pizzas are also a popular tradition at Riip, which has whipped up combos like the smoked brisket vodka sauce and an Irish-style square slice with corned beef, pickled cabbage, and sauerkraut. There’s also a vegan option that’s a menu mainstay, featuring soyrizo, chili flakes, peppers and everything bagel seasoning. Every visit is a flavor journey when you put your tastebuds in the hands of this creative culinary team. 

Pizzas are available by the slice or whole. If you opt for a classic pie, you can even go halfsies so everyone in your party can have it their way. Pizza fries are also a great way to enjoy Riip’s combos on a bed of crispy potatoes, though the garlic version with grated parmesan and aioli is a solid pick sans sauce. 

Just keep in mind that the pizzeria’s brick oven method means slow-cooking—slices can often take just as long as a whole pie. But trust us, it’s worth the wait.

Riip Beer & Pizzeria:

  • 19171 Magnolia St., Huntington Beach, CA 92646
  • 17236 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92649