Beantown Pizza.

Boston's Gourmet Pizza is diving into the Southern California market, not just dipping a toe.

Boston Pizza Restaurants LP is opening 17 restaurants in the region this year. The Dallas-based chain already has Rancho Cucamonga and Long Beach locations, and plans to add restaurants in Mission Valley, San Diego, Hesperia, Lancaster, Palmdale and Watts soon.

The restaurants feature an upbeat atmosphere and separate-seating sports bars. Besides pizza, the restaurants offer salads, steaks, and sandwiches. The menu also includes Boston versions of the barbecue and Thai chicken pizzas that have made the California Pizza Kitchen a household name.

So far, the expansion plan is working.

"We have been extremely delighted to see the results of the first California openings for Boston's," said Howard Terry, vice president of marketing. "These stores are on track to be the highest sales volume restaurants in our system and it's an indicator of how well our concept works for the California restaurant patron."