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Pineapple Pizza and Long Beach Pride at Long Beach Pizza Co.
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What are your go-to pizza toppings? Pepperoni? Mushrooms? Maybe a drizzle of ranch or extra cheese? Everyoneâs got a favorite comboâsome are classics, some are chaotic. But one topping has stirred more debate than any other.
How about youâwould you put pineapple on your pizza?
Itâs a question thatâs launched online arguments, sparked foodie feuds, and divided dinner tables. Pineapple pizza (sometimes called Hawaiian) has roots dating back to the 1960s, when a Greek-Canadian restaurant owner decided to try something new: sweet fruit on savory dough. Some love the sweet-salty contrast.
But hereâs the thing, whether you love it or hate it, pineapple pizza must have a fanbase. Why? Because just about every pizzeria, from the big chains to neighborhood staples like Long Beach Pizza Co., keeps it on the menu. That alone says something.
At Long Beach Pizza Co., Pineapple Has Never Been Just a Gimmick
Itâs part of a broader menu that embraces creativity. This is, after all, the same place that brought locals a spaghetti pizza and curry chicken pies. "Itâs about giving people something fun and unexpected,â said Nasser, the owner, who has run the Broadway-based restaurant for more than 30 years.
Long Beach Pizza Co. History
First opened its doors in 1994 and quickly became a neighborhood staple. After a decade of steady business, the restaurant underwent a full remodel in 2005, modernizing the space while preserving old-school pizzeria vibes.
But it was in 2018 that the real test came
A car, reportedly driven by someone under the influenceâplowed through the front of the restaurant, causing significant structural damage. The pizzeria was forced to close for nearly eight months. For many small businesses, that kind of disruption could be the end of the story.
But not here.
"It was a really tough time", Nasser says. The community waited , And when it reopened, they came back hungry.
The incident became part of the restaurantâs legacyânot as a tragedy, but as a turning point. One that proved just how deeply Long Beach Pizza Co. is rooted in the community it serves.
Online, the pineapple debate is far from settled. But in Long Beach, people tend to take a more laid-back approach. âOrder what you like,â said one Yelp reviewer. âIf pineapple makes you happy, go for it.â
History Of Pineapple On Pizza
Thereâs something distinctly Southern Californian about embracing flavors without judgment. In a city known for tacos, teriyaki, and Thai curry, why wouldnât pineapple be welcome on pizza too?
Besides, the numbers donât lie. According to a national food delivery app, pineapple is still one of the top ten pizza toppings in the U.S. That includes plenty of orders right here in Long Beach.
Love it or leave it, pineapple pizza has earned its spotâand Long Beach Pizza Co. is happy to serve it up with a side of nostalgia and a slice of pride.
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Business Details
Long Beach Pizza Co. â Italian-American ⢠đWebsite | Google |