Apollonia’s Pizzeria Embodies the Los Angeles Slice Shop
At Apollonia’s Pizzeria, pizza serves as a canvas for owner Justin De Leon to explore what a Los Angeles slice shop can be. For more than a decade, crowds have battled their way through Apollonia’s slim Koreatown strip mall parking lot to snag a slice of De Leon’s blistered pies.
What to order
- The thin-crust Acapulco Gold trades tomato sauce for a base of mozzarella and Pecorino Romano, paired with sweet grape tomatoes that burst in the blazing-hot pizza oven. Right before its boxing, the pizza gets topped with scoops of creamy ricotta, a hearty drizzle of truffle oil, and peppery arugula to cut through the cheese.
- The cult of Apollonia’s spicy vodka square pie lives on. A square pie slab gets topped with a blanket of chile-tinged vodka sauce that enrobes the pizza edge to edge. Crispy, lacy cheese edges peek out from the sides like dairy Dolomites looking across pools of melted mozzarella.
- Apollonia’s has a daily selection of slices that always includes at least cheese and pepperoni: going for one of the slices feels like the best way to minimize wait times. There’s no hiding with the simple cheese slice, and Apollonia’s has nothing to hold back — the cheese, umami-rich tomato sauce, and sturdy crust all work in harmony.
Take note
Ordering online is the best way to secure a full pizza from Apollonia’s, but the selection is more limited, and a 16 percent order fee automatically gets added on. Still, if you want to guarantee a pickup time, the cost may be worth it for the convenience. (Just note that online ordering can sometimes be unavailable, even during regular business hours.) Try checking back later, calling the restaurant directly, or just accept the wait and go in person.
Insider tip
Apollonia’s is best known for its signature pies, but there’s also a build-your-own option if you order over the phone or in person. Choose between a 14- and 20-inch round pizza with toppings like garlic, arugula, and Italian sausage.
