Hank's Pizza — Restaurant in Los Angeles

So I use to live near here way back in the late 70s to early 80s when I went to college at LMU ( Loyola Marymount University). And it's nice and amazing that it's still here AND just as important the food is just so darn tasty. The people behind the counter have always been nice and the atmosphere has that laid back beach life feel while still getting your food to you in a timely manor. The only thing that has really changed that I can tell is that back when I was in college - Hank's was open 24 hours. After all these years Hank's still has my favorite Italian sausage sandwich that I ever had at any restaurant so far. I've traveled across the US and back several times and have eaten at so many Italian restaurants I couldn't remember them all ( love Italian food ) What makes the Italian sandwich here so awesome - start with the bread - it's has a nice crispy exterior but a soft interior. The tomato sauce has a nice complex but not overwhelming Italian seasoning sauce and a bit of sweetness from the tomatoes. The Italian sausage is of the sweet or some call it mild but it marries up with the red sauce that is perfect. It is finished of with a big helping of Italian cheese with mozzarella being the primary component. One other minor thing has changed back in the day - they use to add one or two Pepperoncini peppers on top of all that delicious cheese. I'm getting hungry for one now - unfortunately I now live in Northern California so I can't go here as often as I would like - but usually find a way to stop by when I'm in the area - in fact will go out of my way just to grab something to eat. The place is cute and does have some seating inside and out - but the beach is just a few blocks away - it's much better to get it to go and head out to the beach - and if they don't have something you want to drink at Hanks - it is right by a small market with more choices for your instant picnic...

Hank’s Pizza: A Slice Above, Even If the Vibes Were Below

I stopped by Hank’s Pizza close to closing time—15 minutes before, to be exact. While I understand that the team was likely winding down after a long day, there was still enough time to make my quick visit a pleasant one. Or so I thought.

When I asked if I could order by the slice, the young lady at the counter immediately said no, claiming there weren’t any slices left. Fair enough… until an older gentleman, who I assume might have been her father, kindly intervened and pointed out there was an extra pizza they could warm up. Problem solved, right? Well, not quite. Although he was helpful and accommodating, she seemed less than thrilled by his suggestion, leaving me with an unmistakable vibe that I wasn’t exactly welcome.

Here’s the kicker: there was still plenty of time to warm up the pizza properly, which they did, and I paid for it. Despite the odd atmosphere, I still left a tip—because, hey, it’s the right thing to do.

Now, let’s talk about the pizza itself: amazing. It tasted far better than it looked, which was a pleasant surprise. The crust was perfect, the cheese was just the right level of gooey, and the flavor was absolutely on point. Honestly, the pizza alone is enough to bring me back.

I even snapped a few photos, but given the dim lighting and the fact that the food, while delicious, didn’t photograph as beautifully as it tasted, I’ll hold onto those until next time.

To sum it up: Hank’s Pizza has fantastic food, but the overall vibe could use a bit of TLC. Great pizza deserves great service, and while I can forgive the late-night crankiness, I hope for a warmer reception next time. Because trust me, there will be...

Reason for visiting: lunch with a buddy Date/time of visit: Friday afternoon, ~2:30 PM Parking: in the rear or on the street. Usually parking in the rear of the restaurant Party size: 2 Environment/ambience: quick. No line when I was ordering but there was while we were eating. Seating in the front and in the rear. Small place good for a quick bite Service: Great. I think it was the owner but he was friendly. Brought out the crushed pepper and cheese with the food. Not sure if we were supposed to throw away our own food (didn't see trash cans around) but we left it on the table 🤷‍♂️ Food: was great; I love crunchy pizza. Ordered the lunch special, $4.95 for a slice and a drink. Substituted for pepperoni and pineapple (the special is advertised for cheese only). The slice is actually a large slice cut into 2 Cost: can't beat 2 slices and a drink for $4.95. ~$12 for 2 lunch specials; it was a little extra b/c we substituted cheese for pepperoni and pineapple. Even at $6, the lunch special is still a...