Cuisine Scene: Pizza

With National Pizza Day (Feb. 9) upon us, it’s time once again to take a look at one dish experiencing an undeniable renaissance in Long Beach. Local pizza is offered in all manner of new takes, old classics and with unique toppings. Here are 10 places tossing their own distinct versions of arguably the world’s most beloved culinary creation.

Whatever your preference, the plethora of pizza places in Long Beach serve up exactly what you’re craving in the 562.

TIME TESTED

Each of these have been serving the community deliciously for more than 50 years. Domenico’s (5339 E. Second St.). Domenico’s is Long Beach’s oldest restaurant and was one of the first to serve pizza in Southern California. Its ground pepperoni and ground sausage pies are absolutely iconic. Buono’s Pizzeria (250 W. Ocean Blvd./401 W Willow St.) uses old school methods in constructing pies. Hand-kneaded dough and homemade sauce is paired with fresh tomatoes and pan-roasted garlic. The mozzarella is fresh, as is the sausage!

NEW TWISTS

ARTISANAL

La Parolaccia (2945 E. Broadway) has a loyal following in no small part because of its Neapolitan-style, woodfired pizzas which present like works of art, whether Sofia’s combination of burrata, cherry tomatoes and Parma prosciutto, Burina’s spicy salami and arugula or the Totti’s fusion of half-pizza, half-calzone. One of the city’s most respected and honored restaurants, Michaels (210 E. 3rd St./5620 E. 2nd St.) serves a Neapolitan-style pizza made from homemade dough, topped with locally-grown organic veggies and herbs from Michael’s own garden.

PIZZA AND BREW

SOMETHING TO SEE

Little Coyote (3500 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal/ 2118 E. 4th St.) offers wafer thin, New York-inspired pizzas, on a menu ranging from a Margherita to its signature White Pizza balancing spinach, ricotta, mozzarella and Calabrian chili with a creamy white sauce. Enjoy it outdoors at the shop and watch the Retro Row scene happen by. The 4th Horseman (121 W. 4th St.), serves a wide-ranging menu, including Frailty, which may be the best vegan pizza in town. Enjoy it in the shop, which is a tribute to horror movies and monsters of the past as well as the site of the Dark Art Emporium.

About the Author
Steve Lowery