It is definitely a good sign when a new Westwood restaurant ““ barely visible from the street ““ has a line out the door for hours at a time, and patrons know that it is worth the wait. The novelty of 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria has clearly not yet worn off since its opening in early January.
Tucked between Peet’s Coffee and what was once a movie theater, the pizzeria is located on the corner of Westwood Boulevard and Lindbrook Drive.
The long line outside the restaurant may be a deterrent to some (I waited for about 30 minutes), but once customers make it inside, the 800-degree wood burning ovens make the cooking process a snap.
The process of ordering food at 800 Degrees is something like Subway meets gourmet, Italian pizza ingredients. After choosing one of the $5 or $6 baseline pizza options ““ margherita, bianca or marinara ““ it is up to the customers to create the rest of their own personal pizzas. All of the toppings, from rosemary ham to gorgonzola cheese to caramelized onions, are $1 each, with the exception of a few $3 add-ons such as prosciutto and rock shrimp. Specialty pies are also available . Last Friday’s special, for instance, was a $10 BFT: bacon, feta and tomato.
One of the most exciting things about 800 Degrees is that patrons get to see their pizza go from a ball of dough to an individualized, wood-fired masterpiece in a matter of minutes. The prices are reasonable ($10 to $12 for a basic pizza with a few toppings) and customers pay individually, which is ideal for large groups that want to avoid the hassle of splitting up the bill. Guests seat themselves and never have to worry about getting a refill, thanks to the self-serve Coca-Cola machine that lets them enjoy a wide selection of drinks, such as Vanilla Coke and grape-flavored Sprite, in addition to classic soft drinks.
If one has a big enough appetite, the pizzeria also offers small salads ($4 to $5) and large “create your own” salads ($5). Those who manage to save room for dessert can also enjoy creamy gelato for just $2.50 per scoop.
Based on my experience, I can definitely say that my pizza was cooked to near perfection. My margherita pizza topped with tomatoes, artichokes and caramelized onions was hot, crispy and cooked evenly throughout.
The overall ambiance is comfortable and laid-back, and the pizzeria’s decor is complete with pizza paddles and takeout boxes on the walls. Seating is limited, but the space is just the right size to maintain a cozy feel.
The workers are all very friendly and brought carryout boxes to those who wished to take their leftovers to go. A soda spill was cleaned up quickly and the restaurant was very clean in general. From UCLA students to local residents and families, this restaurant was definitely the place to be last Friday night in Westwood.
Students should not let the lines scare them away ““ this personalized pizza is a treat worth waiting for.
Email Seikaly at aseikaly@media.ucla.edu.