New discovery of old place - great thin crust pizza at BG Emilio's in Lake Forest (OC)
You know every once in awhile you come across a place that you've just passed on by for years...and then once you've been there you think what a fool you've been for not discovering it earlier.
I've lived in SoCal now for 21 years, 16 in south Orange County. I am always on a quest for great pizza, thin or thck crust, and sausage is my preferred topping. Having grown up in Chicago, I think I have an idea of what good pizza is in multiple styles, and while I have touted a couple of deep dish places in SoCal, the lack of more really good thin crust pizza has astounded me.
That being said, the other night we wound up at BG Emilio's in Lake Forest after taking my son bowling for his 7th birthday. A non-descript storefront in an aging strip mall, I had heard some good things about it but had never been. Wow! It's the real deal. No antiseptic SoCal gloss-look...this is a "pizza joint" reminiscent of old-time Shakey's or, for some like me from Chicago...Barnaby's. Booths and picnic table style benches, a long counter where you can order, pick up and watch pizzas being made...but best of all, a thin crust pizza that's as good as I've had in a long time. Good crisp crust, not overly thin, flavorful sauce, good sausage, and a nice balance of crust, cheese, sauce and toppings. My parents were visiting from Chicago and even they commented on this being a very good pizza, one of the best they can remember having in SoCal.
I'm looking forward to a return visit this weekend to see if it holds up as well on a 2nd visit. Note: They have a pizza/salad buffet on Tues nights and Family Karaoke on Thurs and Sat.
BG Emilio's
23364 El Toro Road (at Jeronimo in the Long's Drug Store center)
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-859-9351
By RSMBob
on May 18, 2006 11:44 AM
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Thank you RSMB. I've been looking for a thin crust replacement since Franco's closed down their location on Los Alisos and Jeronimo in MV. Had you ever tried them?
My favorite pizza in the area is still Antonucci's at Alicia & Muirlands in MV. Have you been there?
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I never did have Franco's but I do remember the name. I did try "Fat Pizza" when they were at the Kaleidoscope and it was ok, nothing great.
Antonucci's is another one of those places I've been by but never been to. I will go in the next week based on what you said and give it a try. Sounds like a good excuse for a family dinner out!
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Barnaby's. Wow. Haven't thought of there in years...even pre-Aurelio's. Lots of wood, darkness, watching the pizza being made. Weren't there peanut shells on the floor?
Did the pizza have sufficient crispness to hold it's own or did it bend/flop? Can you tell what the sausuage was seasoned with? Cheese gooey or crispy? Slices or Squares?
Thanks for the rec' though...
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Belive it or not, there are still a few Barnaby's left in the Chicago area, and when I was back there at Christmas, my family all went to one and surprised my parents. We had a great time...it really has not changed much over the decades...and the pizza was outstanding.
As for BG Emilio's, yes, it was plenty crisp even though it was cut in slices. Can't tell what the sausage was flavored with, maybe some fennel, and the cheese was mixed..crisp on the edges with some gooeyness towards the center, bubbling hot!
One note, I think it's at El Toro and Muirlands, not Jeronimo.
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A voice of dissent:
I tried B G Emilio's on the recommendations here and what I got tasted exactly like a reheated frozen Jino's pizza. It was so bad, I fantasize that they ran out of pizza and had to buy a frozen one at the market.
I honestly don't know how it could be so bad after the glowing recommendations here. I'm going to try Antonucci's one of these days to compare. I'm tempted to give Emilio's a second try sometimes, but then again ... not.
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Hmm... I may have to change diner plans. After RSMB's rec. yesterday, which was the 1st that I recall for BGE's, I received a coupon for BGE's in yesterday's Pennysaver.
Had you ever been to Franco's? Their last location was at Jeronimo & Los Alisos, also previously in the Kaliedescope & old Mission Viejo Mall.
I guarantee Antonucci's.
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I've only been in Lake Forest 2 years and I guess I missed Francos.
Pizza is very personal. I'll admit I'm an east coast pizza snob and basically never like pizza in California.
I find Z's Pizza to be acceptable. But I'm not sure which location, since my experience comes from having it delivered through Restaurants on the Run at work.
I've been meaning to try the ex-Z's, now Serrano Pizza in the Ralphs/ Ace Hardware / Bagels and Brew center on Lake Forest - any opinions on that one?
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Yikes, sounds like we went to 2 different places. I wnet with few expectations and was obviously impressed. I just liked the pizza and the atmosphere...but it will take another try I guess to see if it was just me on that one night.
Antonucci's is next on my list to try...a bit more upscale but JB and others sure have great things to say about it!
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Antonnuci's is more upscale than your average pizza parlor for eating in but, we do take out pizza from there all of the time. They have a take out window just inside the front door.
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I have to concur with JurisDog. Wow, that was pretty bad. I personally wouldn't classify it as a thin crust pizza but, rather a cracker crust pizza. If you like that type of crust, Big O To Go at Marguerite and Jeronimo in MV is much much better.
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Well, heck, outvoted 2-1 I guess. Sorry I apparently led you astray...just goes to show how subjective some things are.
Last time I had Big O was about 5 years ago and it just seemd like a DOmino's wannabe to be...food to fill you but nothing special.
Hey, I guess it has to happen sometime. I've turned on a lot of people to a lot of great places in SoCal...several pizza places among them...but this is the first time I can remember a strong dissent coming back. That being said, I guess we can agree to disagree.
I do need to get Antonucci's on my list...maybe take the family out tehre next week for my wife's B-Day.
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Not a problem. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
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My wife and kids and I made a 2nd trip to BG Emilio's Monday night...and I'll stand by what I wrote despite the dissent from JD. It was very good...and having a buy one large get one free coupon only made it better!
If I can clarify, this is not "gourmet" pizza -- it's "pizza joint" pizza. A thin crisp crust slightly charred on the ends, not an overabundance of cheese or sauce or toppings. The sauce is flavorful and the sausage is very good...not the typical "rabbit pellets" you get at so many places. Because the crust is thin and not bready, the pizza tends to go quickly. However, despite the thin-ness of the crust, both times our pizzas were prperly cooked so that the crust supports the toppings without flopping and making a mess.
I'm going to try Antonucci's soon and will write about it, but I've been to probably 100+ pizza places in SoCal through the years, including 30-40 in South OC, and this is easily in the top 10 overall and is for now my go-to for a thin crust pizza.
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OK, with your confirmation, I'm now ready to use my coupon as well. I'll let you know.
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Since I first posted this, I have tried to venture out to try some other places peope have recommended in the area. Bottom line is that people who say that SoCal is a pizza wasteland ARE mistaken...there are some good places out there.
Antonucci's in MV - place is a hiddn gem...take out pizza window in front but a nice italian restaurant and new bar area make it a great place for couples or families. Owner looks WAY too much like Ron Jeremy but very friendly. Pizza is well-made...bready crust with a good amount of toppings.
Big O to Go in MV - another place that has been there forever but I had never been. Thin crisp crust absolutely LOADED with toppings. Uses pretty high quality ingredients (VERY good sausage) and the owner talked with me about his biz. I rarely get a pizza to go (only option here), but this is where I will probably order from if that's what I want.
Biagio's in LF - went with the family and the pizza was thin crust but somewhat bland tasting. Place was packed and seem to be a lot of regulars.
Ok, of the 3 plus BG Emilio's, the pizzas were all good but all different. I personally liked BG Emilio's the best...to me it had the best balance of crust, sauce, cheese, toppings. Others (obviously) have a different opinion, but I will likely be back to all 4 at some time.
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We're with you RSM. BG Emilio's is one of our favorites when in the MV area. Are they open Sun yet?
D'Amore in Sherman Oaks is very close when it comes to thin Crust.
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