Sonny’s Brings Pizza and Brooklyn Vibes to University Heights
The team behind Madison on Park and Madi just dropped their newest project in University Heights: Sonny’s, a 1980s Brooklyn-inspired pizza joint that fuses Italian-American soul food with downtown New York grit.
Tucked into a century-old former auto shop around the corner from Madison, Sonny’s embraces the charm of its roots with reclaimed wood, graffitied walls, vintage wallpaper, and a bright orange pizza oven straight from Italy.
This place feels like a backstreet pizzeria that grew up, got cool, and moved to University Heights.
Where Nostalgia Meets Neighborhood Cool
Designed by Anna and David Sindelar of Archisects, the space includes a mezzanine modeled after a nonna’s cozy kitchen, a mahogany staircase, and a patio perfect for lingering over cocktails and slices.
From the booth seating to the copper-topped bar, Sonny’s is a full-on neighborhood hangout, with just the right amount of edge.
What’s on the Menu?
Expect Neapolitan-meets-New-York-style 12” pizzas like:
- Blitzkrieg Bop – cup n’ char pepperoni, basil, romano
- No Sleep Till Brooklyn – mushrooms, speck, red onion
- Smoke on the Water – sausage, rapini, smoked provolone, Calabrian chili
Plus: Chicken Francese, wagyu burgers, baked clams, and shrimp cocktail.
The culinary program includes private events and immersive dinners by Sicilian chef Francesco Bonsinetto (Cucina Migrante).
Behind the Bar
The cocktail menu at Sonny’s University Heights leans heavily on amaros and fun. Try the Brass Monkey or a Run DMC, or sample a Negroni flight if you’re feeling fancy. Funky natural wines and a breezy indoor-outdoor setup complete the vibe.
See you there!
Dinner, drinks, takeout—and a whole lot of personality, neighborhood charm, and bold flavors that make it the kind of spot you’ll want to keep coming back to.
📅 Sonny’s is now open daily from 4 PM to 11 PM
📍 1728 Madison Avenue, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
