Some of the best tasting pizza you will ever have. These guys have it figured out. From the kind/attentive attitudes at the register (and quick response to email) to the phenomenal pizza in my mouth, they earn 5 stars across the board.
For extra detail: I buy slices here often, and they are the best in the city. When I bought my first full pizza, I was a little disappointed by the greasy/soft bottom. Prior to my next full pizza order, I sent them an email asking them to pull the pizza out of the pan and stick it straight on the oven for a little extra crisp. Within 5 minutes, I received a reply confirming they'd happily oblige. Amazing customer service.
They always show kindness and have a smile on their face when I walk in the store. This makes a huge difference. I come to pick up pizza when I need a lift, and their attitudes make a difference.
They use premium ingredients in their pizza. Their sauce is simple, as it should be. It's also the best pizza sauce I've ever had (from a restaurant). High quality, smashed tomatoes with a little salt and olive oil. Nicely seasoned pepperonis that curl up and don't taste like anything you can buy at the store. Extra cooking time in a different oven to brown/char the top of the pizza after finishing the base. Freshly grated parmesan on top before they close the pizza box. They do the big stuff, and they also do all the little stuff. Guess what? It makes a difference.
Downside: The singular negative is that this pizza is extremely expensive. I make 18" NY-style pizzas from my home using a commercial oven/baking steel, imported cheese, imported DOP tomatoes, etc., and it comes out to about $5.42/pizza (255 square inches of pizza for a total of 2 cents/sq inch), and I don't benefit from the same economies of scale they do...Little Dynamite charges $27+tax+tip (100sq inches of pizza for a total of 27 cents/sq. inch at a minimum)...but I'm also not factoring in other overhead costs they incur by running a business. At the end of the day, I only go to Little Dynamite about 1x/month (when I don't feel like cooking my own pizza or when I'm out of ingredients) because of the price.
I'd come here more often if it were cheaper (or if they increased the size of the pizza)...BUT I'd rather they stay in business than go out of business, so until they can open more shops and lower their ratio of costs:revenue, I guess we have the privilege of giving them a little extra haha. $27+tax+tip for a pepperoni pizza that I can down in one sitting is a little steep for just about anyone, but I will keep paying that until you can grow, make more pizzas, and then pass the savings onto the loyal customers. If the overhead is too much and you feel continual pressure to increase prices, then maybe just operating out of a truck could be another alternative (similar to something like Petramale Pizza).
ps--don't waste time on their garlic knots. They are incredibly dense/flavorless, so it feels like you're eating a big blob of undercooked dough. They also only include a tiny container of tomato sauce that barely lasts through one knot. Stick to their pizza. For the owners--please consider adjusting your dough prep for the garlic knots if you're looking for any improvement there. It would be great if they were a bit more airy and cooked at a high temp so the outside gets a little bit closer...
Read moreLittle Dynamite Packs a Flavorful Punch
Little Dynamite lives up to its name, offering an explosive combination of classic New Jersey-style pizza and unique twists. My recent visit was a flavor adventure!
Starters that Steal the Show
I kicked things off with their "meaty meatballs." These weren't your average grocery store variety. They were plump, juicy, and bursting with savory goodness. The perfect way to whet your appetite for the pizza to come.
Pizza Paradise
Now, onto the main event: the pizzas! First up, the "Good Green" pizza. This vegetarian option surprised me with its vibrant mix of fresh toppings. It was a delightful balance of flavors and textures, with a crispy crust that held everything together beautifully.
The true star of the show, however, was the May special, the "Cowabunga." This pizza was a celebration of all things meaty. Each bite was a party in your mouth, with pepperoni, sausage, and other delicious cured meats piled high.
Sweet Ending: Panzookie Perfection
No trip to Little Dynamite is complete without dessert. Their panzookie is a must-try. This warm, gooey calzone filled with Nutella was the perfect way to end the meal. It was decadent and delightful, with a soft, pillowy exterior and a rich, chocolatey center.
A Slice of New Jersey in LA
Little Dynamite is a hidden gem in LA, offering a taste of authentic New Jersey-style pizza. The combination of a thick, crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and generous toppings is sure to satisfy any pizza lover. Whether you're a veggie enthusiast or a dedicated carnivore, there's a pizza on their menu to tantalize your taste buds. Don't forget to end your meal on a sweet note with their...
Read moreDelicious Pan Pizza in L.A. on the way home from L.A.X? Yes, please. We found Little Dynamite looking to spend some time avoiding traffic on the way back to the Santa Clarita Valley from L.A.X. It's a tiny Culver City spot that you're probably better ordering pickup or delivery from than eating in... there's barely a counter and stools to eat at...but we ate at them...a Bad Gurl Pie...we were curious about the Pistachio Pesto. This is a cheeseless pie...besides the sprinkling of parmesan...It was beautiful and delicious. Very Detroit style with nicely proofed dough (maybe very slightly undercooked.) All their pies look gorgeous and they're plenty of options for vegetarians, including white pies.
It's worth looking closely at the menu as not everything is on display in the storefront (ie we saw later they have salads which we didn't see while in the shop.)
There are also some really decadent-looking dessert options...we got a slight tour of the back room when they were nice enough to let us use the bathroom and talked with the chef who was pointing out the different kinds of chocolate they had on hand.
I wish we lived closer to this place as we'd definitely be sampling all of their delicious-looking vegetarian options....WELL WORTH...
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