Lolo's - The Best Pizza in San Jose that's near impossible to find
Walking through the eastern barrios of San Jose like San Pedro, Los Yoses, Barrio Dent, Barrio Escalante, and others, will give you a constant reminder of the train system that Costa Rica used to have running from Coast to Coast. From Limon to Caldera and on to Puntarenas, the train carried cargo and passengers since it’s inception in 1873, and was completed in 1890. In the 1930′s, part of the rail system was even electrified. In 1991, a strong earthquake brought so much damage to the system, that the cost was too high to bring it back to it’s original operating condition, and in 1995 the governemtn ceased operatios all together. However, since 2003, the railroad has been operatig again in San Jose as a sort of light-rail system for commuters. Although there’s nothing light about it – the system is using heavy diesel pumpers to pull the trains – the train lumbers across San Jose, from San Pedro to the University of Costa Rica, all the way west to Pavas. There is even a line that is running from San Jose to Puntarenas, privately operated and directed at tourists.
What does the Costa Rican railroad system have to do with an amazing pizza place in Barrio Escalante? If you didn’t ride the train, you might never know it was there. Right along a section of the tracks that runs from Barrio Escalante to Barrio California, with no access to a street, is Lolo’s, in small yellow house. when you walk through the front door and into the living room, what is now the restaurant, a feeling of being at home sweeps over you. Not just because it is a home, but because the inside is tastefully and comfortably decorated, making it feel like you just walked into your slightly extravagant aunt’s house. In the back is the totally open kitchen, where you can see the small staff effortlessly tossing pizza dough or preparing lush green salads.
Sit down to an impressive selection of pizza toppings and style, as well as a deep wine list that has a variety of international flavor. The service is excellent, the ambience, even the music is enjoyable. Prices are super reasonable, and a large pizza can fill even the heartiest of 3 stomachs. We know when travelers come to San Jose, or Costa Rica in general, that pizza isn’t something that they are really excited to experience. But when you get tired of rice and beans, an awesome pizza can be a welcomed change of flavor.
Lolo’s can be found in Barrio Escalante. From Avenida Central, head north from Bagelmans, turn right at the first corner. When you hit the railroad tracks make another right, Lolo’s is a few doors down on your right hand side.
