Frank Pepe's pizzas have always been my favorites but I no longer travel to the East Coast. Can anyone point me to the closest thing in California? What I am looking for is texture and flavor of the dough. The wood oven is a plus .

Not that close to Cal, and it depends on where you are . . . but if you can get to Sedona, Grand Apizza, a fine New Haven establishment, has a small pizza shop there called Apizza Heaven run by a relative. Probably one of the only places outside Connecticut you'll see the "apizza" name. Haven't eaten there, but of you're in the area, might be worth a try.

Where in Cali? There is a place in San Diego that is inspired by BAR in New Haven. Also "Double Mountain Brewery" in Hood River, Oregon was started and run by a guy who worked at pepe's for a while

Five guys burgers and fries

Try In + Out Burger, otherwise I'd say, buy a plane ticket. Good luck!