Tony S.
Yelp
I finally found it--a by-the-slice pizza joint in LA that's worth the drive!
As someone who grew up on 99-cent slices in the Boston suburbs, raised a son in a best friend's Sicilian-owned pizzeria, and spent 17 years as a Yelp Elite, I don't make pizza recommendations lightly. But Heirloom Pizzeria has earned it--and then some.
We stumbled across this gem by chance during a Melrose shopping trip that never happened. Parking nearby, I was drawn in by the simplicity of the place. Zoey, one half of the husband-and-wife ownership team, welcomed us and walked me through their options. I honed in on their bestseller: a cheese slice with vodka sauce.
My son--a pretty famous YouTuber and most feared cheese slice purist--opted for both their regular cheese and pan-style cheese slices.
Then it happened.
You ever bite into something that triggers old memories from your childhood? Could be cotton candy, caramel apple, or that hang nail on your big toe. You just vanish into an old memory.
One bite, and I was back in Methuen, Massachusetts, tasting my first-ever pizza slice. I could almost hear the arcade sounds of Pac-Man and Defender when games were just a quarter. The vodka sauce cheese slice wasn't just good--it was transcendent.
I turned to my son for his verdict. His standards for a good slice are ruthless. His reaction? We both ordered another slice on the spot.
The vodka sauce cheese slice is hands-down the best cheese slice I've ever had in Los Angeles. It may not be strictly traditional, but it stays true to its old-school roots while offering a slight twist that elevates it.
Zoey and hubby have created something truly special. The ambiance is understated, but the flavors are unforgettable. This isn't LA-fancy with Peking duck or Jerusalem artichokes (those have their place); this is about pure, simple, East Coast-style pizza done to perfection.
There are few places in LA that can pass my blind test for by-the-slice cheese. Heirloom Pizzeria is at the top of my list.
I will gladly make the drive from Marina del Rey just for this.