Editor's note: I had an email exchange last week with a Serious Eats reader coming to New York from L.A. The gist: "The airline food ain't gonna cut it for the flight back west. What uniquely New York snacks should I bring on board that will travel well?" (Unfortunately, I couldn't recommend pizza for that.) Long story short, I asked her how far she was willing to go for good snacks for the plane. Her answer included some good L.A. pizza intel. —The Mgmt.
Christiano Bollini, pizzaiolo at Bollini's Pizzeria, a wood-oven Neapolitan-style joint in Monterey Park, California. Photograph from Bollini's Pizzeria
Thanks again for your help with the New York/plane food question.
You asked, basically, how hard would I work for good food for the plane? Depends on how I feel that day. But now I have great choices! (And I just saw Zabar's said they've created a fab rye bread. Maybe I could get a sandwich on that.)
I mention this as, last night we drove a solid 20 minutes—no traffic, 60 mph, on the freeway just to get pizza to go. Waited 30 minutes for the pizza. Drove 20 minutes back. Took one bite—and it was worth it. Stunning, just stunning.
Antica Pizza is good in L.A. Mozza is grand, although, would you call it pizza? Joe Peeps is fun.
This place we went to, Bollini's, is a delight, as it's one guy who took a big risk (Monterey Park is known for dim sum, not wood-fired pizza)—and everyone proved him right. It's in a corner strip mall. By a Dollar Tree. Very little seating. And yet they consistently turn out pizza so good that people wait, happily, for their box or table.
Now I'm off to go for a walk so I can have some of my leftover pizza tonight!
Best,
M.
-----------------
Dear M.,
Thanks for the intel!
Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you in NYC, then, if you're willing to go through the L.A. driving hassle just for take-out pizza.
This place looks great. I love hearing stories of individual pizza makers who go it alone and succeed. The pizzas on the blog you linked to look great.
i beg to differ with the reviews of this eatery. i went there today, and i feel that i have to share with my fellow eaters that this place was a WASTE OF MY MONEY. Let's start with the service... i walked in. no hi-hello, just ignored. wasn't sure to seat myself or order then sit down? started to sweat, as the place was uncomfortably hot. went up to cashier to greet her as a polite customer since she didn't say hello. asked a question, and she said "wait a minute" (she was learning to count the two quarters she was holding?). ordered food, overpaid, and was told to come back later, the food will be a WHILE.
so, even with bad service, i was an optimist.. i thought maybe the food will make up for the terrible service, I WAS WRONG AGAIN. i waited 30 minutes for two pastas and a box of pesto bread. got home to find that i had to add my own sauce to my bland pasta. i've tasted meals from a box that tasted better, and is so much cheaper!
Well Bollini's, 2 bad comments from the same person DO NOT MAKE UP FOR THE ENTIRE POPULATION ! Not bad ! I've read all your reviews and they all give you 5 stars!!! So do I. Have eaten there sooooooo many times and not once have I experienced bad customer service from your girls. The Food has always been delicious and the Chef is very hospitable. Today, I had Spaghetti Dei Frutti Di Mare and had a palette orgasm ! Your place may be small but not for long. Monterey Park welcomes you and like WE ALL say...... some girly girls just don't get it...... you have to show respect to get respect! Can't expect the red carpet if you're not Paris Hilton ! Bona Note!
just had dinner here, and it was great. the place wasn't crowded, and when we walked in a guy in an apron just said 'what's up' and told me we could sit anywhere. laid back, casual place, BYOB, and good pizza. yeah the pizza took about 25 minutes to get to our table, but it was freshly made and DELICIOUS. a $15 bill for 2 people was nice, too. worth trying.
The service was fine, but the pizza wasn't that great. The crust was thin and cracker like, the sauce wasn't sweet enough, and the cheese wasn't too flavorful.
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5 Comments:
i beg to differ with the reviews of this eatery. i went there today, and i feel that i have to share with my fellow eaters that this place was a WASTE OF MY MONEY. Let's start with the service... i walked in. no hi-hello, just ignored. wasn't sure to seat myself or order then sit down? started to sweat, as the place was uncomfortably hot. went up to cashier to greet her as a polite customer since she didn't say hello. asked a question, and she said "wait a minute" (she was learning to count the two quarters she was holding?). ordered food, overpaid, and was told to come back later, the food will be a WHILE.
atgirlygirl at 1:01AM on 08/02/08
so, even with bad service, i was an optimist.. i thought maybe the food will make up for the terrible service, I WAS WRONG AGAIN. i waited 30 minutes for two pastas and a box of pesto bread. got home to find that i had to add my own sauce to my bland pasta. i've tasted meals from a box that tasted better, and is so much cheaper!
atgirlygirl at 1:04AM on 08/02/08
Well Bollini's, 2 bad comments from the same person DO NOT MAKE UP FOR THE ENTIRE POPULATION ! Not bad ! I've read all your reviews and they all give you 5 stars!!! So do I. Have eaten there sooooooo many times and not once have I experienced bad customer service from your girls. The Food has always been delicious and the Chef is very hospitable. Today, I had Spaghetti Dei Frutti Di Mare and had a palette orgasm ! Your place may be small but not for long. Monterey Park welcomes you and like WE ALL say...... some girly girls just don't get it...... you have to show respect to get respect! Can't expect the red carpet if you're not Paris Hilton ! Bona Note!
MBLipstick at 3:56AM on 08/07/08
just had dinner here, and it was great. the place wasn't crowded, and when we walked in a guy in an apron just said 'what's up' and told me we could sit anywhere. laid back, casual place, BYOB, and good pizza. yeah the pizza took about 25 minutes to get to our table, but it was freshly made and DELICIOUS. a $15 bill for 2 people was nice, too. worth trying.
alisahno at 12:05AM on 01/14/09
I went there today on this recommendation.
The service was fine, but the pizza wasn't that great. The crust was thin and cracker like, the sauce wasn't sweet enough, and the cheese wasn't too flavorful.
Nebagakid at 7:41PM on 01/31/09