(photo courtesy of Apollonia’s)

Lines along the street in the 5100 block of Wilshire Boulevard can only mean one thing – Apollonia’s Pizzeria is open.

Customers who walk into the old-school, neighborhood pizza shop are met with reggae or classic rock blaring from the speakers and a line of pizza makers slinging dough, dressing pizzas and calling out orders. Famous for the square slice – a pillowy focaccia dough with crispy, cheesy edges, a tangy tomato sauce and fresh toppings – Apollonia’s Pizzeria has come a long way since opening in 2012.

Thirteen years later, Apollonia’s Pizzeria placed 58th among the best 100 pizza restaurants in the world at the Best Pizza Awards in Milan, Italy, and is widely recognized as serving one of the best slices in all of Los Angeles. While the awards are a nice recognition, owner Justin De Leon said his greatest joy is doing what he loves on a daily basis.

“When you do what you love, it really isn’t work,” he said. “Everyday I’m trying to make my pizza a little bit better than yesterday. And I like to always think my best days are ahead of me, not behind me.”

Since 2012, the City of Angels has evolved into a pizza hot spot with many chefs citing Apollonia’s in helping the rise and popularity of local pizzerias. Located on the Miracle Mile, just east of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and less than two miles from the Original Farmers Market, the restaurant has become a cherished part of weekend outings. Remaining in the same location since opening, De Leon said the growing, vibrant neighborhood is close to his heart.

“I don’t think many people are fortunate to say that they have a pizzeria in the neighborhood they grew up in,” he said. “My mother was raised in this neighborhood six blocks from the shop. My great-grandmother was also from the neighborhood.”

The menu is an homage to the city Apollonia’s has served for 13 years – the first pizza listed is the “Wilshire Margherita” – featuring chicken tequila sausage, fresh garlic and basil. Further down the line, De Leon pays tribute to his city with other signature pies including the “Pico Pesto” and the “Eastside Classic.”

(photo courtesy of Apollonia’s)

To operate at a high level consistently and serve the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, De Leon stressed the importance of work-life balance. He closes for holidays so staff can spend special days with their loved ones. Everyday, the restaurant breaks from 2:30-5 p.m. to give his staff an opportunity to rest and recover before preparing for the busy dinner service, where another line out the door will inevitably form before the shop reopens

De Leon hopes to keep improving. The restaurant is often over capacity and while customers have the option to skip the line by ordering online and paying extra, he acknowledged that the experience can be overwhelming for both staff and customers. He hopes to make the process more efficient, easier for everyone. But above all, De Leon hopes to keep serving food that will bring joy and comfort to his neighborhood for years to come.

“To do what we love and hopefully inspire others – we’re grateful for that, especially doing it in our city, in our neighborhood,” he said.

Apollonia’s Pizzeria is located at 5176 Wilshire Blvd.