Oak Creek Shopping Center storefront is pizzeria’s second in the City of Irvine, 11th overall for the brand

SAN DIEGO, California (Sept. 2, 2026) – Mr. Moto Pizza, the San Diego-based purveyor of New York City-style gourmet pizza, has announced the grand opening of its newest Orange County location, marking its fourth establishment in the region. Situated within the bustling Oak Creek Shopping Center in the City of Irvine, at 5613 Alton Parkway, this new storefront occupies the space formerly held by Brooklyn’s Finest Pizza. This strategic expansion signifies Mr. Moto’s second presence within Irvine, complementing its existing unit at The Square shopping center, and elevates the brand’s total number of locations to eleven across Southern California.

The opening on September 2, 2026, underscores a period of aggressive and successful expansion for Mr. Moto Pizza in Orange County. Within a mere eleven months, the brand has firmly planted four new flags in the highly competitive Southern California culinary landscape. This rapid growth commenced with The Square location in Irvine in October 2025, followed swiftly by an outpost in The Village at Orange in the City of Orange in December 2025, and a Costa Mesa unit that opened its doors in February of the current year. This accelerated timeline highlights a deliberate strategy to saturate key markets and cater to a burgeoning demand for high-quality, artisanal pizza offerings.

The Strategic Significance of Irvine and Orange County Expansion

The City of Irvine, a master-planned community renowned for its robust economy, affluent demographics, and family-centric population, represents a crucial market for any restaurant chain seeking significant growth in Southern California. Its consistent population growth, coupled with a strong corporate presence and a vibrant residential base, ensures a steady flow of potential customers seeking diverse dining options. The Oak Creek Shopping Center, in particular, is a well-established retail hub, drawing consistent foot traffic from surrounding residential neighborhoods and commuters along Alton Parkway. Its accessibility and community integration make it an ideal location for a concept like Mr. Moto Pizza, which aims to become a neighborhood staple.

The decision to open a second location in Irvine, rather than diversifying into entirely new Orange County cities, speaks to the initial success and strong reception of Mr. Moto Pizza at The Square. It also reflects a calculated move to capture a larger share of the Irvine market, offering greater convenience to residents in different parts of the city. The replacement of Brooklyn’s Finest Pizza by Mr. Moto also signals a dynamic shift in consumer preferences within the local pizza segment, indicating a potential demand for fresh concepts and a different interpretation of the New York-style tradition.

From San Diego Roots to a Regional Powerhouse

Mr. Moto Pizza’s journey began in 2015, when founder Gibran Fernandez, who is affectionately known as "Mr. Moto" himself, opened the first storefront in the vibrant Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. Fernandez’s vision was to bring an authentic New York City-style gourmet pizza experience to the West Coast, characterized by meticulous dough preparation and premium ingredients. This initial venture quickly garnered a loyal following, establishing a reputation for quality and flavor that resonated deeply with the local community.

The success in Pacific Beach laid the groundwork for systematic expansion across San Diego. Over the ensuing years, Mr. Moto Pizza expanded its footprint within its home city, culminating in seven successful locations. The brand’s most recent San Diego milestone was the grand opening of its University Towne Center (UTC) store, which celebrated its inauguration just prior to the Irvine Oak Creek announcement, further solidifying its dominant presence in the San Diego metropolitan area. This proven track record of establishing and operating multiple successful units in a highly competitive urban environment provided the confidence and operational blueprint for its ambitious push into Orange County. The brand’s ability to replicate its success across different San Diego neighborhoods, each with its own unique demographic and dining preferences, demonstrated its adaptability and the universal appeal of its product.

The Mr. Moto Pizza Difference: Craftsmanship and Culinary Innovation

At the heart of Mr. Moto Pizza’s acclaimed offerings is its unwavering commitment to the traditional New York City-style pizza methodology, elevated with gourmet touches. A cornerstone of their product is the pizza dough, which undergoes a rigorous 48-hour crafting process. This extended fermentation period is crucial, allowing the yeast to slowly develop complex flavors and create a superior texture. The result is a dough that, when baked, yields a fluffy, airy border known as the cornicione, while maintaining a perfectly crispy bottom crust capable of supporting a generous array of toppings without becoming soggy. This dedication to dough craftsmanship sets Mr. Moto apart in a crowded pizza market, providing a distinct textural and flavor profile that resonates with connoisseurs of authentic pizza.

The menu at Mr. Moto Pizza showcases a diverse range of options, designed to cater to various palates. Their "red pies" feature classic tomato-based sauces, exemplified by "The Hulk," a meat-lover’s dream laden with pepperoni, bacon, ham, and sausage. For those who prefer a departure from traditional tomato, the "white pies" offer rich, creamy bases. A standout in this category is the "Smoky Greens," which combines fresh spinach, creamy ricotta, aromatic garlic, and a sweet balsamic glaze, creating a harmonious blend of savory and tangy notes. Beyond these signature creations, guests are empowered to unleash their culinary creativity by building their own custom pies from a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Furthermore, catering to the grab-and-go convenience popular in urban settings, individual slices are always readily available, making it an ideal stop for a quick and satisfying meal.

Beyond the Slice: A Comprehensive Dining Experience

While pizza remains the star, Mr. Moto Pizza’s menu extends far beyond, offering a comprehensive selection designed to enhance the dining experience. Their "famous stuffed knots" are a particular highlight, often cited by loyal customers as a must-try appetizer. These savory dough knots, filled with various delicious ingredients, provide a delightful start to any meal and serve as a unique differentiator for the brand.

San Diego-Based Mr. Moto Pizza Opens Fourth Orange County Location

Recognizing the needs of families and groups, Mr. Moto offers a highly appealing "Family Special." Priced at $49.99, this package includes one large specialty pizza, a choice of either a House or Caesar salad, one pasta dish, and four garlic knots. This bundled offering provides significant value and convenience, making it an attractive option for family dinners or gatherings, reinforcing Mr. Moto’s appeal as a community-oriented eatery.

Innovation is also a key ingredient in Mr. Moto’s culinary philosophy, evident in its rotating "Pizza of the Month" feature. For September and October, the special is "The Extraordinary Chicklet," a creative blend of chicken sausage, piquant jalapeños, crispy onion, and creamy buffalo ricotta. This seasonal offering keeps the menu fresh and exciting, encouraging repeat visits from customers eager to sample new flavor combinations.

The menu further boasts a range of classic pizzeria complements, including succulent chicken wings, hearty calzones, and generously filled stromboli. For those with a sweet tooth, a small but carefully curated selection of desserts provides a perfect conclusion to the meal. This diverse menu ensures that Mr. Moto Pizza caters to a wide array of preferences, positioning it as a versatile dining destination.

Market Dynamics and Economic Implications

The entry of Mr. Moto Pizza into the Oak Creek Shopping Center, especially by taking over an existing pizza establishment, signals a dynamic and evolving market for casual dining in Irvine. Industry analysts note that the fast-casual pizza segment has experienced robust growth nationwide, driven by consumer demand for customizable, high-quality meals served in an efficient environment. Mr. Moto’s focus on gourmet ingredients and a distinctive New York-style crust allows it to carve out a niche in a market that includes both large national chains and smaller independent pizzerias.

The brand’s rapid expansion in Orange County can be seen as a vote of confidence in the region’s economic vitality and its residents’ appetite for diverse and quality food options. Each new location, including the Oak Creek site, contributes to the local economy through job creation – from kitchen staff and servers to management and delivery personnel. Furthermore, it adds to the vibrancy of the shopping center, potentially drawing new visitors who may also patronize other businesses within the complex. For Irvine residents, the new Mr. Moto Pizza location means enhanced dining choices and increased accessibility to a popular regional brand.

Leadership Perspective and Future Trajectory

Gibran Fernandez, the founder and driving force behind Mr. Moto Pizza, articulated the brand’s deep appreciation for its reception in Orange County. "Orange County has welcomed us with open arms, and Irvine has truly become a second home to us," Fernandez stated. This sentiment underscores not just commercial success but also a genuine connection with the communities the brand serves. His emphasis on "a unique combination of flavors and outstanding quality, along with our famous stuffed knots" highlights the core tenets of Mr. Moto’s brand identity: innovation within tradition and a commitment to culinary excellence.

The continuous growth, particularly the concentrated expansion in Orange County, suggests a long-term strategy to establish Mr. Moto Pizza as a dominant regional player. With eleven units now operational and a proven model for both initial success and sustained growth, the brand appears well-positioned for further expansion, potentially exploring other affluent Southern California markets or deepening its presence in existing ones. The consistent quality and unique offerings are critical factors in building brand loyalty and ensuring repeat business in a highly competitive food service industry.

Mr. Moto Pizza at Oak Creek Shopping Center is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., ready to serve the Irvine community with its distinctive New York City-style gourmet pizzas and a full menu of complementary dishes.