800 Degrees Pizzeria (Los Angeles, CA)
800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria
10889 Lindbrook Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Dining date: 2/15/12
800 Degrees opened early last month, a new concept via a partnership led by Umami Burger’s Adam Fleischman. After a dinner at LudoBites, somehow the topic of 800 Degrees came up. It was open late (until 2am everyday), was nearby, and would be relatively quick. We were sold.
There are plenty of pizza options in LA, but this one’s a little bit different. It’s essentially fast-food pizza, but customizable and made-to-order with fresh ingredients; I think comparisons to Chipotle are fitting. It reaches a medium ground between the quickness of a Domino’s or Pizza Hut and the higher end pizzas at something like Mozza. Kind of like Pitfire Pizza, but even cheaper and more customizable.
The pizza creation process is assembly line, with one’s preferences taken throughout. Three base pies are available (margherita, bianca, marinara at $5-6) at the first station, where fresh dough is rolled out.
Next a whole host of toppings are available, completely optional, most $1 each. Don’t want toppings? Fine. The Pizza Margherita is $6.
Once ready, the pizza is baked in the wood-burning oven for just a minute or two, all while the customer watches. Pretty cool.
Also cool is this futuristic looking soda machine – various “base” sodas and flavored syrups are available. It’s all about customization here, apparently.
Between our group, we ordered up a variety of pies.
Margherita with Salame
Bianca with Sausage
Margherita with Meatballs, Proscuitto, Arugula
Margherita with Artichokes, Salame
Margherita
How were the pizzas? Pretty good actually. The dough was soft, had some nice char, and had a nice chew. I thought the toppings were good, but none were particularly memorable. Overall, it was good pizza at a great price, fast. Very satisfying. I’m a big fan of the model, and gauging other reviews, it seems like the rest of the city is too. I fully expect expansion soon and potentially on a large scale…not unlike Umami Burger.
It’s kind of amazing that no one has done something similar before. Genius, really. I’ll definitely have to stop by the next time I find myself craving pizza on the Westside. And will likely inevitably end up at Scoops Westside after…
Yeah I know right! It’s such a logical idea. A meal of 800 Degrees and Scoops sounds like a great match…and very economical!
If anything, I would say it’s faster than a Pizza Hut or Dominoes…
Haha very true actually. Hard to believe such food can be prepared so quickly.
This place sounds really cool. I MUST try Fundamental LA the next time I’m in Westwood. Maybe I’ll save some room for a pie afterward!
Couldn’t hurt – it will make great leftovers too!
Seriously, for the Chipotle of pizza, this place is pretty amazing. Plus they don’t run up their bills, which is always nice.
Haha I get it..