Fresh Brothers Pizza Encino — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Fast food and pasta are unlikely combinations that you would think about when it comes to food pairing, especially good pasta, but Fresh Brothers seem to have have found the right combo. Situated in the heart of Ventura Blvd, Fresh Brothers is a casual restaurant that brings a nice twist to quick Italian cuisine, and their Garlic Pesto pasta is well worth a visit.

Usually pasta is best served on a nice plate and for you to take your time, but whether you're dining in or taking to go, the pasta comes one way here, in the take out container, and it actually works well since the top of the pasta is covered by delicious mix of melted parmesan and mozzarella cheese with Italian herbs seasoned on top. It's almost like a hybrid of a lasagna, and it makes it fun to eat since it's not just pasta. A Personal Pan Pasta, if you will.

The garlic pesto is delicious and full of flavor. I love garlic so this hits the spot! I especially love the combination of the crunchy cheese, artichoke and the savory pasta, and the portion is perfect for one person.

Even the garden salad is delicious! I'm not the biggest fan of raw onions, but here they work well to add a ting to the fresh salad and tomatoes, and the red wine vinaigrette is is cool and tangy.

Finally, I just had to try what Fresh Brothers is known for, which is their pizza, so I ordered the Charcotta pizza which has both regular and charred pepperoni, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. A cheese-lover and pepperoni delight!

The charred pepperoni is a creative take on the classic pepperoni pizza, adding a nice playful texture to compliment the soft, fluffy scoop of ricotta cheese. I'm surprised I never seen charred pepperoni before because it is darn delicious! If you love pepperoni and cheese pizza, I highly recommend the Charcotta!

And best of all, Mike the general manager and his crew are passionate about their food. It's great to talk to him about the stories and background of Fresh Brothers...

FRESH BROTHERS bakes excellent pizzas. Their recently remodeled interior is comfortable. There is no patio seating.

Both Chicago "Deep-dish" and New York "Thin-crust" are offered. The dough for the crusts are made fresh daily. While the deep-dish crust is quite flavorful, thick and filling, it is baked, not fried, as is the traditional Chicago steel oiled pan pizza.

All the expected toppings are available. Vegetables are fresh and crunchy. In addition to the vegetables, the vegan pizza toppings include, vegan cheese, vegan burger and/or sausage, in both crust styles. The Ultimate Burger pizza is a treasure. Gluten free, cauliflower and ultra-thin pizza crusts are also offered.

If you're eating alone the personal size is quite filling. Depending on the time of year, different pizza shapes are offered. On Valentine's day it's heart shaped. On Passover, a Jewish holiday, Matzah (מַצָּה) pizza is available.

Several salads and chicken tenders (conventional, gluten free and vegan) are available. The small salad is adequate for two; the tenders small order fills two young children.

Dessert, for lack of a better description, is called Pizza Knots. Short "ropes" of raw pizza dough are tied into slip knots and sprinkled with cinnamon, sugar, then baked. While the small order is adequate, the larger is preferred. Life is short, eat the Knots first.

Just in case you're wondering, an appetizer version, sans sugar and cinnamon, is also available with an Italian spiced, tomato dipping sauce.

Unlimited drink refills, for eat-ins are offered.

Telephone and internet orders are accepted for pickup or local delivery. Fresh Brothers provides a discount to registered customers. Visit their website to register. If you order early, the order will be made at the time requested and delivered hot.

For pizza, the prices are quite high, but sometimes, splurging is a really good idea.

STUFF: Parking is free and easy. Everything is wheelchair accessible, including a gender...

UPDATE July 13, 2022 : I took my pizza back yesterday and spoke to Mike the manager. He was very apologetic, fired up a new pizza for me, and added the credit for the pizza that the previous employee said he was putting in their system that was not entered as previously promised. Not sure what happened the day before, but I'm happy to report that Mike handled the situation with first class customer service. New picture added of my fresh pizza along with the updated rating.

JULY 12, 2022: I was excited to have Fresh Brother's pizza since it had been a while since having one. Their pizza has always been fresh and flavorful. Ordered Veggie with extra toppings. Was handed the incorrect pizza...cheese pizza with no toppings. Realized this when I got home...25 minutes away. Called them and they apologized and offered me a credit for another pizza on another day. I didn't want cheese pizza so I drove 25 minutes back to get the veggie pizza I originally ordered. Didn't think they would literally give me the same pizza that has been sitting there since they handed me the wrong pizza. Drove 25 minutes to get home to a soggy pizza stuck to the paper they placed under the pizza with burnt edges stuck to the paper. They had handed me the pizza I ordered 1.5 hours before. I couldn't get one slice to release from the paper with the full crust under it even after using a spatula to release. One piece I ate...because that was my dinner... the crust was stuck to the paper so i was only able to eat the toppings. Very disappointed in the results after spending $30.00. They should have fired a new pizza when I called them knowing it was going to take me another 25 minutes to get there. Everyone knows you don't complain about food because you never know who's in the kitchen that's going to seek revenge for a mistake they made. After 1.5 hours back and forth, I wasn't going to take it back last night. But they will be getting their pizza back...