Joe Peep'sNY Pizza

Before the Los Angeles Pizza Renaissance came along, there was Joe Peep's...bringing you an indulgent slice of NY for decades. This place is as perfectly run-down today as it was when I first went there in the late eighties. The menu is exactly the same too. (Maybe the prices have changed.) The writing on the walls has gained new layers, but it's as pervasive as ever. Walking into Joe Peep's at Whitsett and Magnolia is where San Fernando Valley time stops. You can get the 5,969 Calorie pizza (and you should), which will be a mess to eat (prepare for and embrace it), with so many toppings a field of onions was literally emptied so they could sit on top of your pizza. It's the thing that sets them apart from every other NY slice in the city. If it's too thick for you, go for the Blue Collar...a more traditional thin NY pie / slice that has all the right sauce, cheese, and crust flavors and texture. As I mentioned, the L.A. pizza renaissance is here, and you can get truly fantastic thin and crispy NY style slices all over the city. Truthfully, many of those have upped the ante on the Blue Collar...BUT the Blue Collar is still really good and still gives you a truly legitimate NYC slice experience. May Joe Peeps continue on for decades to come...don't change a thing. No one needs a pizza renaissance if they're still around.

I’d been dreaming of coming here for years because of the history behind the building and figured the pizza would be a nice bonus. Turned out to be a highlight. You can’t ignore the cool neighborhood pizza place atmosphere, with the photos and the graffiti, that high ceiling and the huge open kitchen. But the pie rocked even harder. I almost bought a whole small pizza and I’m glad I didn’t because I was surprised at how dense the individual slices are. Instead I started with two pepperoni and fresh mushroom slices and they were heavy! As in loaded with toppings. No skimping. The mushrooms were outstanding and I ended up just picking them off and eating them first. Well, I love mushrooms. That still left me with a gorgeous and generous layer of large, thin, slightly spicy pepperoni on top of some thick, gooey cheese and a hearty but not overpowering tomato sauce. Chewy crust with some bite. Even though I was already full I decided I had to eat one more. Best decision, although I’m stuffed. Don’t know if I’ll ever be back in LA, would love to eat here again like regularly if I stuck. As it is I will continue dreaming of this pizza for the rest of my days!

Old world atmosphere at this pizza parlor. It's been 20 years since last ordering a pizza. Quality is still as I remember it. Love the vibe at this location. The ceilings are about 18 feet high. Brought the pizza home and was still hot and delicious! It's pricy at $32 for a 14". But, it is worth it! I will not take another 20 years to come back.