Pizzanista, Los Angeles

2019 E 7th St · Los Angeles, CA 90021 · Neighborhood: Downtown

What do you get when you mix traditional New York style thin-crust pizza and fresh, local California ingredients? Throw in a dash of “eclectic” and a pinch of “hip” courtesy of the downtown arts district… not to mention the super chill and friendly skateboarding-surfer owners… Voila! you’ve got yourself Pizzanista.

Pizzanista is an unassuming little restaurant in the middle of nowheresville… and those are the best finds after all. I’ve driven up this downtown street a handful of times and never once noticed it. Granted, they have only been open since late summer 2011, but locals are already in the know about this little gem.

There’s not much else around it but a little saloon, a few warehouses, artist studios and residential lofts. My only complaint is that I wish they were located closer to me! Still, when I am in the downtown area and need a good pizza fix, this place hits the spot without breaking the bank.

The owner, Salman introduced himself to us as he stocked the refridgerator with tasty looking “real sodas in real bottles“, sparking or still waters and assorted Kombucha.

He doesn’t seem as concerned with flagging down new customers so much as providing a quality product. The pizza speaks for itself. Pizzanista has already been written up in Los Angeles Magazine and LA Weekly. I’m currently lovin’ on the Meat Jesus – a delicious mix of quarter sized-pepperoni, sausage and bacon. Yes, please!

The restaurant is small with a few outside stool seats that face the simple but manly interior. The menu offers reasonably priced, by-the-slice and large pie NY-style pizzas. Think: fluffy-on-the-inside, crispy crust outside, with big fold’em up large slices (minus all the grease-down-your-arm). There are also salads and the usual sides like garlic knots and homemade meatballs which also looked tasty.

(A little birdie told me it’s one of Roy Choi’s favorite spots — Not a bad recommendation!)

BYB Tip: Love the Maine Root Mandarin bottled soda – tastes like Crush (but better!) I drank one and had to order another – it was so refreshing and goes perfect with the pizza.