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ZipPicks Awards
Best Cheap Eats Pizza in Silver Lake
Best Late Night Pizza in Silver Lake
Master Critic Review
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
Hours
Monday11am - 9pm
Tuesday4pm - 9pm
WednesdayClosed
Thursday4pm - 9pm
Friday11am - 10pm
Saturday11am - 10pm
Sunday1pm - 9pm