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Pizza Buona
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Pizza Buona
8.1
Since 1959, this family-owned Echo Park original makes everything from scratch daily—pizza dough, pasta, bread, and marinara sauce using authentic Italian recipes. The thick-crust pizzas with robust, savory tomato sauce have earned loyal neighborhood following for over 65 years, with reviewers praising the crisp-yet-chewy crust and generous portions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meat Deluxe Pizza, Chipotle Pizza, Homemade Garlic Bread
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 9.1
What makes it special: Echo Park's original pizzeria since 1959 with unchanged authentic Italian recipes
Who should go: Families and neighborhood regulars seeking old-school Italian
When to visit: Weekday lunch for Golden A health rating ambiance
What to order: Meat Deluxe, garlic bread, and tiramisu for classic Italian-American experience
Insider tip: Free bags of grated parmesan and red pepper flakes come with every pizza
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on Sunset Blvd and side streets - relatively easy to find spots even during dinner rush
Dress code: Ultra-casual - jeans, t-shirts, athleisure all standard for this neighborhood spot
Noise level: Moderate to loud - family-friendly atmosphere with kids and large groups, but still conversational
Weekend wait: 15-25 min typical - mostly for pizza prep rather than seating
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait - walk in and order at counter
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - cheese pizzas, veggie toppings, pasta marinara, and salads available
Vegan options: Limited - can request pizza without cheese, pasta with marinara (confirm no butter)
Gluten-free options: No - traditional Italian recipes use regular flour in everything from scratch
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual early-stage dates than romantic dinners - the no-frills atmosphere and counter service work for low-pressure hangouts, but skip if you want intimate ambiance or table service
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - they don't take reservations, it's counter-order and grab a table. Arrive early on weekends (before 6:30pm) for easier seating
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly - families are the core clientele. Generous portions perfect for sharing, tolerant atmosphere for noise, and Italian-American classics kids actually eat. High chairs available
How long does takeout take? 20-30 minutes typically - call ahead to reduce wait since they make everything from scratch daily
Is this authentic Italian or Italian-American? Italian-American comfort food - authentic recipes from 1959 but with thick crust and generous portions that reflect American style rather than contemporary Neapolitan trends
Best For
Better for: Choose Pizza Buona over trendier Echo Park spots when you want proven 65-year track record, generous portions that actually fill you up, and prices that haven't inflated with neighborhood gentrification ($$ vs $$$). Better than chains for scratch-made quality with better value than upscale pizzerias
Skip if: You want modern Neapolitan-style thin crust, craft cocktails, or Instagram-worthy plating. Also skip if dietary restrictions are strict (no gluten-free options) or you're expecting white-tablecloth service and romantic ambiance
Pizza Buona
7.9
Since 1959, Echo Park's original pizzeria has served homemade Italian recipes with fresh-made dough, sauce, and pasta. The family-owned spot moved from Sunset to Alvarado with improved parking, maintaining traditional New York-inspired pies with crispy crusts and balanced sauce that earned Thrillist recognition as Echo Park's best.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Cheese Pizza, Steak Sub, Eggplant Parmigiana
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: 66-year Echo Park institution predating the neighborhood's transformation
Who should go: Nostalgia seekers and multi-generational families craving reliability
When to visit: Friday-Saturday until 10pm for classic Italian-American comfort
What to order: Classic cheese pizza, steak sub, eggplant parm
Insider tip: New location offers spacious parking lot solving old Sunset Boulevard challenges
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free parking lot on-site - major improvement from old Sunset location
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirt perfectly acceptable
Noise level: Low to moderate - family-friendly atmosphere, easy conversation
Weekend wait: 10-20 min typical, peaks Friday/Saturday 7-9pm
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple pizza options, eggplant parm, pasta marinara
Vegan options: Limited - can do pizza without cheese, marinara pasta
Gluten-free options: No - traditional Italian recipes with house-made dough
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for 3rd+ dates or casual meetups. No-frills Italian-American spot with bright lighting and family atmosphere - lacks romance but perfect if you both value authenticity over ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, they don't take reservations. Arrive before 6:30pm on weekends to minimize wait, or come after 8:30pm when crowds thin. Weekdays are reliably easy.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - multigenerational family spot for 66 years. Simple menu kids love, casual atmosphere where noise is expected, high chairs available. Perfect for ages 2+.
How late can I order food? Kitchen closes at 10pm Friday-Saturday, earlier on weeknights (typically 9pm). Best to arrive by 9pm weekends to avoid rushed service.
Is this authentic Italian or Italian-American? Italian-American in the classic New York pizzeria tradition - not Neapolitan or modern Italian. Think red-checkered tablecloths and generous portions, not wood-fired margheritas.
Best For
Better for: Reliability and nostalgia over innovation - when you want zero surprises and recipes that haven't changed since 1959. Better parking than most Echo Park spots. Superior to chains for quality while maintaining approachable prices and atmosphere.
Skip if: You want craft cocktails, Instagram-worthy plating, or trendy interpretations. If you need gluten-free options or prefer Neapolitan-style pizza. Choose elsewhere for romantic dates or impressing out-of-town guests with LA's cutting edge.