GRACIE'S PIZZA
A very good sign. Gracie’s Pizza; located in the Mel-Hel section of East Hollywood.
When it comes to comfort food, LA prides itself on having the best tacos, burgers and donuts. (Forget the kale and healthy living, this city lives deep fried and slathered in cheese…for reals.) East Coast transplants like myself, however, are always on an unending, if not, unnerving quest for comfort that can only be brought on by good greasy spoon Chinese or the perfect slice of pizza. More on the former at another time, but for now let’s talk about a little gem of a place called Gracie’s Pizza.
Started by business partners Michael Neufeld, who also owns The Faculty, and chief pizza auteur, Jay Schlangen, Gracies officially opened its doors on June 16, 2016; bringing a slice of New York style pizza to the Mel-Hel section of East Hollywood. Named after Neufeld’s grandmother, Grace Garofolo—who passed away from breast cancer in 1988—Gracie’s isn’t a fussy establishment. High ceilings, a splash of neon, some exposed brick…reminiscent of a micropub in Greenwich Village…a local pizza haunt on Mulberry Street. It’s this kind of immediate East Coast recall that can promise (read: hope) to deliver on familiar tastes and comfort from 3,000 miles away. And thankfully it does.
FORKPLAY: The Cheese slice - Scratch-made sauce topped with a three-cheese blend perfectly mottled with the right amount of elasticity. The crust is thin and crisp, yet tender to fold and devour unapologetically.
SIGNATURE MOVE: Grandma - Gracie's take on the classic Margherita using pesto, whole-roasted garlic and burrata, so luxurious; it spreads like butter over this generous slice. New Classic
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION: Gracie’s (slice/pie) - A brilliant coalescence of soppresatta, arugula, radicchio and pinot grigio marinated mushrooms make up this eponymous slice. Texture driven and bold in flavor, Gracie’s continues its en hommage to Neufeld’s beloved Nonna for what has to be the best thing on the menu.
A FEW FORKS LEFT TO GIVE: The Sicilian slice (crispy exterior/pillowy interior). The infused lemonade. (It was peach the day of my visit and it was glorious.)
ADDRESS: 4330 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
PRICE RANGE: $$ (slices under $5 / pies over $20)
