Itsy bitsy spider

It's not just individuals who are decorating for Halloween. It seems that every business I enter these days, such as this Pizza Hut, is already getting into the scary Halloween spirit.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself...and spiders."
~ Anonymous

Late night cravings

It's 10:30 p.m. I've already been out to dinner, visited with my dad for a couple of hours, and stopped by the grocery store for a couple of items. But it seems that a lot of people are still out and thinking of food. The booths at Norm's ("Open All Night") are crowded. The Downey Brewing Company parking lot is full. And pizzas are still being picked up at Papa John's Pizza.

Pizza time

In 1984, some local residents opened "The Downey Pizza Company" on Stewart and Gray Ave. We discovered them shortly after moving here in 1986. We have always enjoyed their thick crust style pizza and the convenience of home delivery. Eleven years ago, they moved to their current location on Florence Ave. just East of Lakewood Blvd. They serve pizza, calzones and specialty pastas. Check out their web site here.

One slow evening they played around with some different ingredients and came up with a new signature pizza, the pastrami pizza. It is awesome. You have got to try it. Make sure you get mustard on it.

Business is good. They employ around 25 staff.

Buon appetito

The gleaming metal surfaces, the worn pots and pans, and the fresh baked bread—all make eating dinner at Pina's Pizza an appealing choice.

"The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you're hungry again."
~George Miller

Can I take your order?

So on my way home today, my dad and I decided to stop at BJ's for dinner. Curbside takeout really makes it easy to be lazy while they make my pizza. Halfway into the twenty minute wait though, we realize we forgot our wallets at home! Although dinner was a little later, it was still good!

At the car wash

Driving home this evening, I saw a fire truck parked in Papa John's Car Wash. This struck me as funny, and by the time I made my U-turn and got back, a second truck was parked nearby. I asked the firemen, "Are you going to get your trucks washed?" "No," he said, "the city makes us wash our own trucks. We're going across the street to get some pizza at Pina's Pizza House."