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Italian Express Pizza
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Italian Express Pizza
8.2
Italian Express doubles as Westwood's all-purpose late-night canteen, turning out pizzas, pastas, and garlic bread until 3 a.m. for students and night-shift workers who need real food, not just snacks. Its menu leans heavy and saucy, matching the late-night crowd's appetite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Create-your-own large pizza, Pink sauce penne with garlic bread, Pepperoni and mushroom slice
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: One of the few spots in 90024 serving full pizzas and pastas until 3 a.m.
Who should go: Night owls needing real meals after midnight near campus.
When to visit: After 11pm when most village spots are already closed.
What to order: Pink sauce penne, custom large pizza, cheesy garlic bread.
Insider tip: Late-night delivery stays busy—ordering ahead saves serious time.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Gayley and Westwood Blvd is available but tight after 9pm; Broxton Public Parking Structure usually has open spaces late at night.
Dress code: Very casual — come as you are, especially after midnight.
Noise level: Low to moderate; mostly takeout traffic with steady kitchen noise but easy for conversations.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for walk-in orders; delivery can run 30–45 minutes after midnight.
Weekday lunch: Rarely crowded — immediate service for dine-in or takeout.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple pasta dishes, pizzas, and sides can be customized vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — basic marinara pasta and customizable veggie pizza without cheese.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free pizza crust; gluten-free diners can rely on salads or select sides.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional date — it’s more of a late-night comfort stop than a sit-down ambiance play. Great for casual hangs after movies or events.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with no reservations needed; seating is usually available except during late-night rushes around 12–1am.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during normal hours — simple menu and quick service. After 10pm, the crowd skews student-heavy, so families may prefer earlier visits.
Best For
Better for: Late-night hot meals — especially saucy pastas and customizable pizzas when everywhere else is closed.
Skip if: You want artisanal pies, a polished dining room, or broad vegan/gluten-free options.
Italian Express Pizza
7.8
Italian Express is a late-night Italian takeaway on Lindbrook Drive turning out pizzas, pastas, and salads until the early morning hours. It’s a reliable option for dorm runs, casual group orders, and quick meals before or after a movie in Westwood Village.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garlic chicken specialty pizza, Vodka penne pasta, Chicken parm pink sauce spaghetti
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Ultra-late hours with a full menu of pizzas and pastas steps from campus.
Who should go: Night owls, students, and groups ordering in or grabbing slices.
When to visit: Late nights after games, movies, or study sessions.
What to order: Garlic chicken pizza, vodka penne, chicken parm spaghetti.
Insider tip: Combine a specialty pie with vodka pasta for easy group sharing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Lindbrook Drive and nearby Village blocks is the primary option; it’s easier before 8pm but can be tight late at night. Several paid structures (Broxton, Glendon) are within a 3–6 minute walk.
Dress code: Completely casual — students come in sweats, hoodies, and late-night loungewear.
Noise level: Low inside since it’s mostly grab-and-go; brief crowd noise during late-night rushes.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak delivery surges; walk-ins usually move quickly.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait; food is prepared efficiently even during school-year rush periods.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple meatless pizzas, salads, and classic pasta options.
Vegan options: Limited — a few build-your-own pizza/salad configurations can work, but no dedicated vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: Very limited — no dedicated gluten-free crust or pasta; salads are the only reliable option.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date — it’s more of a late-night counter spot than a sit-down experience. Better suited for casual meetups, movie-night fuel, or post-game snacks.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with limited seating, so no reservations are needed. Seating turnover is fast, but most orders are takeout or delivery.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes in a practical sense — pizzas and pastas appeal to kids, but note that seating is limited and the late-night crowd skews student-heavy. Best for quick meals rather than lingering with young children.
Best For
Better for: Faster late-night service and more reliable after-hours pizza and pasta options than most Westwood Village competitors; ideal for budget-conscious groups and students.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Italian dinner, ambiance, or specialty pasta made to order — a full-service trattoria will be a better fit.
Italian Express Pizza
7.6
Italian Express is a late-night counter spot tucked just off Westwood Boulevard, turning out delivery-friendly pies, pastas, and garlic rolls until the early morning. Reviews highlight uneven service and a utilitarian interior, but also praise the value, generous portions, and reliable availability when most of the neighborhood has shut down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combo Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Italian Garlic Cheese Rolls
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: No-frills slice and delivery joint that keeps Westwood fed into the night.
Who should go: Budget-minded diners and late-night pizza seekers.
When to visit: Late nights after bars, games, or long study sessions.
What to order: Combo Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Italian Garlic Cheese Rolls.
Insider tip: Call ahead for pickup; delivery and walk-ins can spike after midnight.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Westwood Boulevard and adjacent side streets; generally available late at night but tighter during peak Village hours.
Dress code: Completely casual—hoodies, sweats, and campus wear are the norm.
Noise level: Low to moderate; mostly quiet aside from delivery order traffic.
Weekend wait: Minimal wait for counter service; delivery can slow down 20–35 minutes during peak late-night surges.
Weekday lunch: No wait for walk-ins; orders typically ready within 5–10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese pizzas, veggie pies, and several pasta dishes work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—no dedicated vegan cheese; basic marinara-based pasta or veggie-only pizza without cheese are possible.
Gluten-free options: No formal gluten-free crust; best options are salads or non-breaded sides.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date—this is a no-frills counter spot meant for convenience and value rather than ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are always open seats, and most guests take food to-go or rely on delivery.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick, inexpensive meals; no dedicated kids’ menu, but simple cheese and pepperoni options work well for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night availability, large portions for the price, and fast, reliable delivery when most Westwood restaurants are closed.
Skip if: You’re looking for ambiance, sit-down service, artisanal pies, or a more elevated pizza experience.