Joe's Pizza (of Santa Monica!)...bridging the gap between New York and LA for pizza!

111 Broadway (at Ocean Ave.)
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310)395-9222
Sun-Thurs 10AM-Midnight
Fri-Sat 10AM-3AM
CASH ONLY!

Joe's Pizza. Joe's. Pizza. A hole has been filled in me that I longed for ever since I moved out here.

After much buzz about Joe's Pizza (famous of Carmine and Bleecker in New York and just famous of New York period) and a bit of delay, are finally open in a great little spot in Santa Monica right by the ocean. Let me explain a little bit to the people of LA. Joe's to many in NY is the standard by which many New Yorkers set there level of quality for pizza. And while New York has many amazing pizza places Joe's really does have a certain something that you can't quite put into words. You can go anywhere in NY and get a great hot dog from any vendor and you can go just about anywhere in NY and get a great if not VERY decent slice of pizza but there is still one Joe's pizza.

Finding out the rumors were indeed true that they opened yesterday, I HAD to head on down there. Now let me explain, I'm in a play currently and was finishing up at 11 last night at Santa Monica and Vine and was compelled to go down there. That's what kind of hold Joe's has on me. I was past Mid City in the middle of the city, far from the 10, and headed all the way over to the ocean at midnight to grab a slice of this man's pizza. Upon arrival I see a super simple store front where they make pizza and that's obviously the main concern. A couple of tables with stools and that's about it but that's really all you need. Joe was telling me that earlier that day the place was a madhouse! Luckily for me, we went late, and LA people seem generally resigned to the fact that there isn't much nightlife out here unless you're clubbing or getting wasted some where. So this new location, while they still had customers popping in, was way more under control.

THE CHEESE!

THE PEPPERONI!

Citysearch was on-hand while we were there to "paparazzi" Joe in action

Stunning results!

In life, you hope that you find what you love doing and are able to make money doing it. Joe seems to be one of those fortunate of people of whom it's plain to see that he loves making people pizza, and feels a great satisfaction from making people happy with his craft. It's people like him that you want to be around when it comes to food.


So how's the pizza? Some of the best I myself have had the experience of tasting. Now I won't claim that this will be the best for you cause after all we all have differences of opinions when it comes to food, but I can wholeheartedly say that you'll at least like it...a lot. So many intangibles are involved from the sweetness of the sauce, to how the dough is thin and crunchy but has just the right amount of give to be able to fold. It's the consistency of the cheese and how all the ingredients interact with each other. It's the marriage of all things coming together, in the right amount of heat, where you get consistent results. Joe's Pizza has all this, not to mention the guy is just a sweet man who has got it down to a science. His pizza can only be understood by tasting it. Words fall flat when it comes to describing it.

I ordered up 2 slices, one cheese and one pepperoni and was very satisfied. And yet I was compelled to buy another slice to completely fill me up as if I was afraid Joe's wouldn't be there tomorrow. What profound pizza this is for me. Top it all off with the fact that they have bottled Coke and you have a meal that could become as popular in Santa Monica as In N Out and Fat Burger are in other places.

Oh, and did I mention the price? Try $2.50 for a slice. I think the idea is that he knows he can sell his pizza at such a great price because if you keep it at a price people can afford, they'll be more apt to come on back...with friends. So yeah he may lose a little at first on projected figures, but in the long run he's got you hooked. Sure it's worth more than that. At other places they they do in fact charge more, but it's hard to rationalize pricey pizza at anytime, because most people know what goes into making one.

As I pause and reflect on what we like and don't like, as people who just love food...and in the end isn't that what it should all be about? Just about what you like. Pizza is one of those things which should be based only on what you like, and not it's state of origin. But Joe, you make a mean pizza that is as New York as all 5 boroughs. But more importantly, you make a pizza that fits my idea of what great pizza tastes like. I welcome you with open arms and hope you never leave LA!

PS. They DELIVER! And here's the menu for download.

Free Refills: No
Entree Price Range: $2.50 to $2.75 a slice and pies range from $17 to $20

Pizza Lover Alert!

111 Broadway (at Ocean Ave.)
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310)395-9222

Just wanted to blurb for a moment that I hear that Joe's Pizza (a mecca of pizza straight from New York) shall be open for business tomorrow in Santa Monica! If you've been to New York and had his pizza you know it's a mighty fine piece of pizza...that is quite the understatement. Call Friday first to confirm but this what I heard!

Prepare for Pink's size lines wrapped around the corner!

***UPDATE***
Possibly not Friday but FOR SURE THIS WEEKEND! Heck go camp out now for that first slice!

Cheebo's...In honor of our current sky

7533 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323)850-7070
Mon-Thu 8AM-11PM
Fri-Sat 8AM-12PM

The sky still has it's fresh layer of orange thanks to the fires that have crisped the south land. All that orange has reminded me of our very own Cheebo restaurant here in Hollywood. If you've ever been patrolling down Sunset you'll know that is quickly one of the most memorable places on the strip thanks to it's orange artsy exterior.

Inside your eyes are treated to pop art laden walls while your butts are treated to "getting-to- know-all-about-your-nearest-neighbor" seating. And though the seating is sometimes tight it's always been a friendly environment...maybe Cheebo's attracts all the right people.

While perusing their menu you'll notice it's quite eclectic and for the most part healthy. They strive to use organic, all natural, nitrate and hormone free products, but this doesn't mean flavorless. In fact, most of their plates exude a natural in your face experience. Take their Cheeborrito for instance. While possibly one of the simplest items on their menu, they have paid attention to make sure the the bacon is chopped and spread evenly throughout. They give you 3 extra items of your choice to accompany the eggs, hash browns, bacon and salsa already inside the tortilla.

I'm not going to mention everything on their menu though most of it I could easily write about. I will however make mention of two often bought items. One being the Porkwich. Their description of it is "slow roasted organic pork, pickles, roasted onion, manchego cheese, tarragon may on ciabatta". My description, "pork holiness nestled between artisanal bread". This is one of the "slamminest" (non BBQ) pork sandwiches on the West side. By the way, I love the chips that come with this plate (as well as many of their other plates), they're freshly made and never too salty.

The other favorite is their pizza. The crust is soft on the inside and a little less soft on the outside, the cheese is smooth with lots of "string" character, the toppings are very fresh, and it's consistently like this. It comes out on a wood plank and is good enough for one (with an appetite) or two people (if you're eating light) . Their pizza is by far above average but obviously more artisanal and therefore wasn't on my pizza week postings. That's not to say it isn't absolutely fabulous and worth ever cent you pay for it, it's just not your traditional pie (to some it's even better than tradition) . Pictured above is their Alfredo Slab, a white pizza with ricotta, ham, spinach and mushrooms. It's one of Celeste's favorites and I think has been ordered by someone in our party almost every time we've been. Now if you're going for take out, you may want to to order their famous "slab" which is a 3 foot slab of pizza that can be sectioned off for toppings.

This is just a sampling of the many glorious items they have to offer and though I only mentioned day time meals they will blow your socks off as well when it comes to dinner. I really do wish I could name off all the plates that are special, but I think you'll just have to go and discover for yourself. Oh man, before I forget, they have a killer Arnold Palmer...it's seriously my favorite. It's fresh lemonade and not your typical tea to boot!

Parking can be weird depending on when you're there. It's a safe bet to park on the street around the place but just pay attention to the signs...it is West Hollywood after all. The staff are pretty on it and though the place has some serious hustle and bustle to accompany the noise level, it's generally a pleasant experience always. When you do decide to go, try and grab a spot on their patio on a sunny day, it always reminds me about how nice it is to enjoy Hollywood.

PS. celebs go here...often... & FREE WIFI.

Free Drink Refills: Yes
Entree Price Range: Breakfast/lunch $7 to $20 and dinner is $10 to $24 with one special plate (28 day dry aged Prime all natural NY strip) setting you back $35

BIG PS. I have a winner for the ticket give away, thanks to all of you who gave it a shot. Keep checking the site for more opportunities (sometimes they're not the subject of the post) and BIG HINT, I'll have another REALLY REALLY soon.

Pizza Week on What's To Eat LA: North End Pizzeria

8600 W 3rd St Ste 2
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 550-8956
Everyday 11AM-11PM

Finishing off this pizza week on What's To Eat LA, we have North End Pizzeria (their website is down but the menu link is below). This spot is an interesting entry on to my list because it operates like a mega chain (in the good kind of way) and yet it isn't...though it has the makings to be such one day.

I would classify this place as a place your office would order when they want to treat the staff to good pizza on a Friday (hence why it's being written today). The pizza is designed like say a Pizza Hut or Papa John's slice but that's about where it ends. The cheese is thick and solid. When you bite into it there's some serious substance going on. It's not like biting into a hearty Chicago style or like biting off a bit of prepackaged string cheese but it's solid. The crust while fluffy and just crisp enough is not really something out of the ordinary. This is yet another parallel to how they could become corporate one day. They understand their competition.

Both pizzas (shown below) have tasty grease. I'll state that right off the bat there's some grease going on underneath the hood of the box when you get it. Don't be afraid though of grease (unless you're watching your weight and in that case why are you even attempting to eat pizza...shame on you!) . It's just essence of cheese for the uninformed. I expect there to be the oily glisten on top of a pie because it shows how much cheese has been used typically. That's not to say that you have a pool of grease waiting for you but basically a more flavorful pie.

Their sausage is great (even the second day reheat rocks)! The pepperoni was chosen for it's non-heart burn after effect. Pretty cool idea.

Okay...now until recently I had never had a meatball and fresh garlic slice of pizza let alone theirs. The combination never really crossed my mind until I just thought about it without the association of pizza. This may be my new favorite combination (at least from them). The fresh minced garlic and their own meatballs were a marriage made in Italian heaven while the honeymoon was in my mouth. A very memorable combined flavor considering that the garlic brought out the deeper flavor of the slightly sweet tomato sauce and made their spicy (not the hot spicy) meatball really pronounced. This was the hit for the party we had this at.

For some strange reason their website is down so I've include the menu for those that can't wait. What's nice is that it also shows their other locations at West LA, Burbank and Cerritos...hmmm sounds like they're already trying for a big branch out. Either way it's great pizza corporate or not. Oh and did I mention the corporate prices...an 18 inch for $13 is hard to beat!

It's been an amazing week of weight gain and greasy used napkins. I thank all of you who've read along and hopefully tried out some of my favorite pizza spots to frequent (though this doesn't include all of them by a long shot).

Free Drink Refills: Yes
Pizza Price Range: $11 to $14 with toppings going from $1.25 to $1.75

Pizza Week on What's To Eat LA: Mulberry Street Pizza

240 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 247-8100
Sun-Thur. 11AM-11PM
Fri-Sat 11AM-Midnight

Beverly Hills pizza that makes you question how much you want to spend on pizza. What an opener huh? I will keep today's post mega brief as time has gotten cut suddenly short thanks to a new project.

This is a huge freaking pizza. The pizza box, as shown below, doesn't contain the sheer size of this thing when it arrives home. I'm 6'2" and one slice of this was one and a half of my hands length. Now, size isn't everything. And, while I will say that Mulberry's isn't what they used to be, they still can hang with the big boys(no pun intended). The crust is soft, but not the kind that falls apart when you fold it. That's right, fold it, like they do in New York. The cheese is chewy. It lies somewhere between fondue and pulling it 2 feet from your face. It's fantastic. This is yet another place though that, though they have a great cheese pizza, they super shine with their toppings. If it's meat (as a generalization) on a pizza, they have a superb selection and it seems almost tailored to the cheeses they use. Bravo! I'll also like to mention that they have a White pizza that's pretty hard to beat.

Enjoy the harsh lighting of my apartment

If I may change the tone for just a moment, let me comment on their one downfall that many have a problem with (and me sometimes when I'm feeling middle class). The pizza, while solidly a great pizza, can lean on the pricey side. The prices go for about $18 to $27 per pie. Now to some who just want pizza, this can be a shying away point. If you just want the cheese pizza though, that really isn't that bad a price at all. My advice is to remember how freaking huge the pizza is, remember the flavor, and if possible remember to have your friends to chip in!

(As you'll see on their web page, they have 2 more locations. One in Encino and a second one in Beverly Hills.)

Entree Price Range: Pizzas range from $18 to $27

Pizza Week on What's To Eat LA: Vito's Pizza

846 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(310)652-6859
Mon-Wed, Sun 11AM-10PM
Thu-Sat 11AM-4AM

Vito's is a titan amongst pizza places in LA. Described as classic Naples style pizza, this pizza is absolutely addicting. When you go in, I kid you not, you feel that everything in there is hyper Italian. The pizza, the tables, the floors, the pictures, and especially the workers. It's like you feel like you've walked into some amazing mob movie except the mobsters haven't come in to eat yet!

The pizza (rated very highly in all circles) is prized among many Angelenos. They had a location in Silverlake a while back and many hearts were broken, but people on the West Side now get to rejoice. This is yet another location that people swear is the real NY slice in LA. It's a darn good slice of New York style but with a refined air of class. Think elegant pizza that you want to serve to people who could kill you, and yet not so absurd that they still taste that it's real down home pizza.

The rundown begins with their plain cheese. It is the foundation that we start with, and we realize that without any dressing, this is a darn good slice of pizza. It's a thin crust, toasted cheese but only slightly toasted crust piece of pizza. The difference they have is they nail the NY spices. They got those intangibles I spoke of yesterday that really are necessary to complete the nostalgia of my growing up on the East Coast.

The Margherita pizza is the cheese but given more life via their fresh tomato and basil.

The famous White pizza has a blend of cheeses and is rich and complex. Never too unbalanced and the flavors play with your mouth a bit. You think you've pinned down which cheeses you're eating and then it sneaks up on you at the end. I love this pizza!

Pictured here is Celeste's slice of their famous veggie slice untouched. She did remove the broccoli, cause she just doesn't like it steamed plain. Best veggie slice she's tasted though, and me too for that matter. The greens were wilted just enough, but still had good substance to them.

Now let's get one thing straight. I love sausage on my pizza. Carefully chosen sausage to put on pizza is one of the great feats of pizza for me. It can bring an average slice of pizza back from the dead or it can tear a great slice of pizza down. The reason being is that the juices from the meat seep into the cheese and alter the flavor. What Vito has on his is exceptional. It's married to this thing like it it was it's first love. Not spicy, but sweet, and very Italian rich with spices. I don't know and don't want to know where he gets it from. I'd like to think he gets it from a secret source that only he and God know about.

A word about the pizzas themselves. They only come in one size...18 inches to be exact. I do believe that they realize there's only one traditional size of pizza...big. While the basic cheese runs about $17, you can get all the way up to $30 for their primo pizzas. But hey it's ALL very good pizza so whatever appeases the appetite is what it's all about.

The location, while it does have parking, is in a small strip mall. They do deliver and you better believe it's totally worth it. The prices, while pricier than your average pizza (here's the menu to view), are in fact good when you realize we're talking about better than average pizza. The restaurant's floor space, while tight, is rather on the cozy side. The service is, bar none, the best pizza place service ever to date. Paulie (yes that's his actual name) was practically eager at the chance to make everyone in the restaurant happy. Try finding that at Pizza Hut or Papa John's! Also note that they're open super late on the weekends as well. Vito's name suits this place perfectly...Italian to the bone!

Free Drink Refills: Yes
Pizza Price Range: In store slices $2 and then toppings range from .50 to $1. Full Pizzas range from $17 to $33

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

(For my 4th of July links just look on my sidebar)

Pizza Week on What's To Eat LA: Damiano's Mr. Pizza

412 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323)658-7611
Daily 11am-6am

This week is all about pizza. Hope I don't lose any fans in the process.


Pizza. There's so much you can say about a bread crust covered in sauce and cheese. It's simple like a taco and yet very complex with how subtle things must be for it to be anything special. I've had lots of pizza in LA, and for what it's worth, I'm not trying to declare what you should or shouldn't like when it comes to pizza. My feelings on this particular subject are that it's all how we grew up. Some people will swear by Papa John's or Little Caesars or Pizza Hut. Some people define Pizzeria Mozza as the quintessential best in Los Angeles while some still have a special home in their hearts for California Pizza Kitchen (I shudder just writing that).

Damiano's Mr. Pizza on Fairfax in the thick of the Fairfax District holds a special place in my heart for more than one reason. Let me start by saying that according to Yelp, and a few choice others, that by me saying that, I will have made some enemies. I'm not going to argue and call the Yelpers liars or anything but I just have to disagree from my own experience in eating out...often.

Let me first remark on some of the obvious qwirks of Damiano's. If you decide to eat inside be aware that they haven't had the lights on in there for what seems like possibly a decade if they ever had them on at all. So if you plan on eating in, realize that you probably only want the first table closest to the door if it's night time and possibly the 3rd table in if you're eating in the daytime. The beer selection is extensive and I do mean 40+ different types extensive(some pricier, some cheaper). The wait staff changes a lot. This apparently according to Yelpers is something to complain about. It's pizza. You don't really have to have a degree to know the toppings on the pizza, the sizes you carry, the beverages and scribbling ability for the cook. That being said, every time I've gone has been great. I'm not going to define great by being the most amazing experience, but it's been consistently good, and no drama at all from the wait staff. I don't look anything special to naked eye, so it's not like they respected me more than anyone else. In fact, I look rather forgettable in a crowd of middle class 20 something Angelenos. One last thing before I get onto the actual pizza, they deliver... and deliver LATE (they close at 6 AM!) if need be! Not to mention, when I asked what there radius was they said wherever. There is a charge for getting that pizza wherever so always ask how much extra for delivery to Glendale ;)

Their pizza, in my mind(from growing up in the Bronx and Connecticut), tastes very similar to NY pizza. How do they do it? I don't know. BUT, there is one thing that all the NY pizza I ever had that was different... certain spices. Hard to put my finger on it but I know it's missing that one key element. If I may, let me go off on a tangent. What's the deal with it being like, "Ahhh...now that's a NY style pizza" or can you believe this Chicago-style deep-dish dough. Like those are what define amazing pizza. Pizza is good if you like it. Plain and simple. In my mind it's the whole wine mentality. Drink what tastes good to you not what someone tells you tastes good or by how expensive it is. The cheese is very well cheesy haha. Not a cheese soup and the dough is almost crunchy thin crust but inside it's fluffy.

(Does this look dried out and gross as according to some Yelpers?)

As mentioned before they do deliver ultra late and there's always a delivery charge. Now here is where I will possibly talk a little down. I've heard horror stories from lots of different places with pizza delivery. Sometimes you get a sucky driver who doesn't deliver your pizza. In such an instance when you don't trust the driver, pay with cash. If the pizza comes super late don't pay for it. Or if you're really evil and don't care about ordering from them again don't open your door. It sucks but business is business. You shouldn't have to pay for something you don't want or that didn't come to you in a timely manner. Bottomline is that if you're pissed off with a delivery then call the place of business and complain. Some people just let themselves be victims and never stand up for themselves and then piss and moan about it on a forum. That's not right. I say all this cause people have complained about having bad delivery stories from Damiano's (via Yelp). If we were to see all the times Pizza Hut screwed up a delivery they would be out of business from all the bad press. You just expect it to happen sometimes. What can you do?

Do I like Damiano's? Yup sure do (so does Pat at Eating LA who writes for Variety). It's a huge (big freaking NY style slices), tasty, cheesy pizza pie that reminds me of living in New York (notice I said it reminds ME) and they've consistently given me a great pizza pie that's hard to beat for the things that are on my intangible taste list for pizza. Oh and not everyone on Yelp says they've had a bad experience...some people would take a bullet for Damiano's and some even say it's the best pizza they've had in LA. But what do they know ;)

As a very odd PS., many people love to come here at one in the morning when they've been out drinking...a lot (particularly after a show at Largo). Something about being buzzed and good pizza.

Free Drink Refills: On normal soda yes on everything else no
Entree Price Range: To not quote dollar amounts I'll give a single $ instead.