On The Line: Paul Hibler Of Pitfire Artisan Pizza, Part Two

“We are trying to get you to just stop for a moment and commune with us. Our busy, cyber world is losing these places. I am happiest when I see people table hopping and visiting with their friends in a Pitfire.”

Paul Hibler brings up a great point. We are guilty of allowing our smart phone to take over our lives. At least there are people like Hibler to remind us of more old-fashioned ways to socialize.

Read our interview with Paul Hibler of Pitfire Artisan Pizza, Part One.
And now, on to Part Two. . .

When you're not cooking in the kitchen, what are you doing?
Hopefully I am with my big Pitfire family or my smaller, home slice family.

Hardest lesson you've learned.
There is no free lunch in this world.

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What is your favorite childhood memory?
Fishing in Yosemite with my dad.

What happens to unattended children at Pitfire?
They will be given three shots of espresso and a puppy.

Last song playing on your radio:
Taylor Swift's Fearless is playing right now. Hey, I have a 4 and-a-half year old daughter who just discovered her. My musical life will never be the same.

Talk to us about the quote on the wall of your speakeasy, Pie Society.

Grace is my daughter, and the conversation above was witnessed by our beloved nanny, Karen Cruz. She posted it on my Facebook page. Charisse Cardenas, the designer who polished up Pie Society, saw it and connected the dots, because she also knew of my love for the picture of Muhammad Ali. This is how weird and creative my world can be.

How do design and company culture tie together at Pitfire?
The culture and soul is founded at the intersection of Food, Art and Community. We try to approach everything we do in a kind of disruptive manner. Pitfire is at first familiar. It's a pizza joint, after all. But as you become engaged in the experience, there are things that might be surprising or slightly out of proportion. The food is elevated, you order at the counter, but we take great care of you at the table.

There's a DJ spinning records and a weird mural on the wall. We are trying to get you to just stop for a moment and commune with us. Our busy, cyber world is losing these places. I am happiest when I see people table hopping and visiting with their friends in a Pitfire.

Do you have any skills that are non-food related?
I used to be a fly fishing guide.

What would you be doing if you weren't in this business?
I would be building houses.

When you use the internet, what's on your homepage?
What's a homepage?

Last thing you looked up online:
I Googled “Above ground swimming pools”.

When did you start offering valet parking?
Right from the start. And remember everyone, IT'S FREE VALET!! We have a very big parking lot, but there is no street parking around the store, so we try to make things convenient.

Last book you read; how was it?
The Son by Philipp Meyer. Epic multi-generation saga about Texas. Written in the tradition of Lonesome Dove and Cormac McCarthy. I could not put it down.

What were you up to five years ago?
Falling in love with my wife, Tiffany, and getting ready to have our first child together.

Is there anything you'd like readers to know that we haven't already asked?
I am very happy to be down in Costa Mesa. I am trying to get to know the area. If you see me, say “Hello.”

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