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Tower Pizza
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Tower Pizza
8.0
Vibes:
Sports Bar Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Since the mid-1980s this student-filled sports bar has been Westchester’s casual hangout for pizza, pitchers, and surprisingly solid burgers. The Tower Cheeseburger and Western Chili Cheeseburger come piled high and budget-friendly, making it a go-to for LMU students, local teams, and big groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tower Cheeseburger, Western Chili Cheeseburger, Island Chicken Burger
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A true neighborhood sports bar where big-screen games, pitchers, and stacked burgers are built for sharing.
Who should go: Students, teams, and groups wanting hearty cheap eats.
When to visit: Game days or weeknights for casual, energetic hangs.
What to order: Tower Cheeseburger, Western Chili Cheeseburger, fries.
Insider tip: It’s popular with LMU—call ahead for larger groups on big game nights.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Plenty of free lot parking in the shopping center; fills up during big games but still easier than most of West LA.
Dress code: Super casual — tees, hoodies, and team jerseys fit right in.
Noise level: Loud during games; moderate on weeknights. Expect to raise your voice a bit.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes, longer (up to 45 minutes) during major sports events.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few options like cheese pizza, veggie pizza, salads, and fries.
Vegan options: Limited — salads (customized) and fries; most items rely on cheese/meat.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free menu; cross-contamination likely, so not ideal for strict GF diets.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you're both into casual sports-bar energy. It’s fun and lively, but not intimate — better for a low-pressure hang.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s mostly walk-in. Just avoid major games, when tables fill quickly and calling ahead helps.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — relaxed, spacious, and noisy enough that kids blend in easily. Great for families with grade-schoolers and teens.
Best For
Better for: Big groups, LMU meetups, sports nights, and budget-friendly burgers and pizza combos.
Skip if: You want craft burgers, quiet dining, or strong vegan/gluten-free options.
Tower Pizza
8.1
Open since the mid-1980s under the University Village Tower, Tower Pizza is a sports-bar institution for LMU students and longtime locals. Expect thick, shareable pies, big salads, burgers, and pitchers in a TV-lined room built for game days and team dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hawaiian Pizza, Tower Cobb Salad, Chicken Parmesan pasta
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Old-school pizza-and-sports hangout dating back to the 1980s with huge portions.
Who should go: Sports fans, college groups, and casual birthday crews.
When to visit: Big game days or early evenings for family dinners.
What to order: Hawaiian pizza, Tower Cobb Salad, Chicken Parm pasta.
Insider tip: Call ahead for large parties; they’re set up for team banquets and big groups.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free parking in the University Village lot, plus ample neighborhood street parking; fills up during LMU events and big game nights.
Dress code: Totally casual—team jerseys, hoodies, and jeans fit right in.
Noise level: Loud during games with plenty of cheering; moderate on non-event evenings.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak game nights; otherwise manageable.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good options—cheese, veggie pies, salads, and pasta dishes are readily available.
Vegan options: Limited—no dedicated vegan cheese, but salads and build-your-own veggie pizzas without cheese work.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free crust available for most pizzas; kitchen is not fully gluten-free, so cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date is into sports-bar energy. It’s fun, casual, and lively, but not ideal if you want quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm. Call ahead for large groups or game nights to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Very. Families come early for pizza, big booths, and a relaxed environment. Best for kids 4+ who don’t mind a louder room.
Best For
Better for: Large-group hangouts, sports-viewing marathons, and hearty, shareable pizzas at fair prices.
Skip if: You want artisanal, thin-crust pies, quiet dining, or a date-night atmosphere.
Tower Pizza
7.9
Under the Lincoln Blvd tower, this family-run sports bar serves crisp fries alongside burgers, hot dogs, and hefty pizza slices. It’s a low-key local spot where baskets of fries hit the table fast during games and casual weeknight dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tower Cheeseburger with Fries, Western Chili Cheeseburger, All Beef Hot Dog with Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 6
What makes it special: Casual tower-side hangout where fry baskets, burgers, and sports TV dominate.
Who should go: Families and locals wanting cheap fries and game-day energy.
When to visit: Evenings for casual dinner or big televised games.
What to order: Tower cheeseburger with fries, Western chili cheeseburger, hot dog and fries.
Insider tip: Call ahead for takeout fries and burgers on busy game nights.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Plenty of free lot parking under and around the tower, plus easy street parking on non-game nights. During big sports events, the small lot fills up quickly but turnover is fast.
Dress code: Totally casual—tees, hoodies, and game-day jerseys fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud, especially when games are on. You can chat, but expect cheering and TV commentary in the background.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes depending on whether a major game is on; otherwise you’ll generally find a table quickly.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk in and sit down.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—fries, salads, and cheese pizzas are reliable options. Not a huge selection, but enough for a casual meal.
Vegan options: Very limited. Fries may be the only clear option; check about shared fryers if that matters to you.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free menu. Burgers can be served without a bun, and fries may work for some, but cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your vibe is relaxed, messy fries, and sports on TV. It’s more fun-casual than romantic, so great for low-pressure hangouts but not ideal for a polished first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in only. On game nights, arrive a bit early to secure a table before crowds roll in.
Is it kid-friendly? Definitely. Families are common, seating is spacious, the menu is simple, and kids love the fries and pizza slices. No formal play area, but it’s relaxed and welcoming.
Best For
Better for: Casual group hangouts, quick fry-and-burger meals, and watching sports without breaking the bank. It beats trendier spots on convenience, speed, and price.
Skip if: You want gourmet fries, a quiet dining room, or strong vegan/gluten-free options. Choose elsewhere for date-night ambiance or chef-driven food.
Tower Pizza
8.1
Opened in 1986 under the University Village tower, Tower Pizza is a classic sports-bar pizzeria where locals, LMU students and teams pile in for pies, pitchers and games on big screens. The pizza is hearty and customizable, backed by a full menu of bar staples and strong drink specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Super Tower Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Margherita Pizza
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Old-school sports-bar energy with customizable pizzas and a full bar.
Who should go: Groups watching a game with pizza, beer and wings.
When to visit: Game nights or late evenings when the bar is buzzing.
What to order: Super Tower four-topping pie, BBQ Chicken pizza, Margherita.
Insider tip: Sit near the bar for the best TV views and quickest refills.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot parking in the University Village plaza; fills up during LMU games. Street parking on Loyola Blvd is usually available but can be tight after 8pm.
Dress code: Casual. Jerseys, hoodies, jeans, and game-day attire are all totally normal.
Noise level: Loud during games, moderate at other times. Conversation is possible but expect bar-style energy.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes, especially during big televised games.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; you can walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options — veggie pizzas, salads, and build-your-own pies.
Vegan options: Limited — can do cheeseless pies and salads; no dedicated vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free crust available on request, though prepared in a shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your ideal date involves sports and casual vibes. It’s fun and lively, but not intimate — great for a low-pressure hang.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they operate mostly on a walk-in basis. Arrive early during major games to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes earlier in the evening. Kids’ portions and shareable dishes work well, but the environment gets loud and bar-heavy after 8–9pm.
Best For
Better for: Big groups, sports watching, strong drink specials, and hearty customizable pizzas all under one roof.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, gourmet-style pizzas, or a romantic atmosphere—try a more upscale pizzeria instead.