Lines snake out of a Valley Village strip mall for Anna Pizza, the new red-sauce joint from chef-owner Thomas DeSantis. The first brick-and-mortar from his Fire & Wood catering operation has quickly turned into a neighborhood magnet for wood-fired 16-inch pies and hefty pasta plates. Locals say the combo of big portions, family recipes, and counter service is what keeps the crowd filing in.
DeSantis built his following running mobile pizza ovens and catering under the Fire & Wood banner, then opened Anna Pizza this winter in the former Gorilla Pies space on Burbank Boulevard. "I just didn't expect it, but it's the best-ever problem to have," he told the Los Angeles Times. According to the paper, he and his father renovated the space and filled the dining room walls with family photos, giving the shop a distinctly homey feel.
What's on the menu
Anna leans hard into Italian American red-sauce staples and New York-style pies: 16-inch pizzas, rigatoni alla vodka, wagyu meatballs in fresh marinara, and an Armenian-spiced spaghetti named for the chef's mother-in-law. The lineup also includes garlic-knot sliders, arancini, and parm sandwiches, with the kitchen emphasizing wood-fired technique, as listed on Anna Pizza's site.
A family-run feel in the Valley
DeSantis, a New York native, has turned years of catering into a compact neighborhood restaurant built on family recipes and generous portions. The Los Angeles Times reported that his mother Anna helps in the shop and that the visible wood-fired oven and walls of photos add to the appeal. That mix of open-kitchen energy and family story has helped Anna Pizza quickly settle in as a Valley Village fixture.
Anna Pizza lists hours and ordering details on its site, with Tuesday-Thursday noon-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday noon-10 p.m., and Sunday noon-8 p.m. Customers can place orders or check out the full menu on Anna Pizza or through the restaurant's online ordering page.
