LB Food Review

Valentino’s Pizza – Online Menu
5782 E. 2nd Street
(562) 438-3939
or 4750 E. Pacific Coast Highway
(562) 986-4680

As the 5th largest city in California, Long Beach is a large enough market that several restaurants in the area have flourished into local chains with multiple locations across town. Valentino’s Pizzeria is one of these small family chains making a name for itself in Long Beach. While you will find a whole gondola full of Valentino’s restaurants in the Long Beach/South Bay area, the two referred to here are related.

One location is on Naples Island at 5782 E. 2nd Street. To say the Valentino’s on Naples is small would be a bit of an understatement; they have only about 3 tables plus bar seating, but it’s better than nothing at all. There is a walk-up only location at 4750 E. Pacific Coast Highway (at Ximeno and PCH) which is also small but very fast, and serves most of the menu items available at the sit-down location. Both are good places to stop, grab a slice or two, and take a break on a hot day.

The pizza at Valentino’s is thin-crust New York style, served by the slice. They are generous with the cuts, and the toppings as well. It will run you about $1.80 for a slice of pizza, and as with most pizza-by-the-slice arrangements, your slice is waiting patiently for you under the lamp. I’m not a big fan of heat lamps, but you can’t argue with the instant gratification that is fulfilled when you hand over your money and are immediately rewarded with a hot slice of pepperoni.

The crust is made crispy and the sauce is delicious. It’s not a slice that flops over your fingers like a frat guy who’s had too much whiskey, nor is it so crunchy that you have to use your molars just to chomp through it. Valentino’s large selection of toppings are fresh and well portioned. They also have other Italian dishes like pasta and bread sticks, and some not-so-Italian dishes like chicken wings, which are surprisingly very good.

Valentino’s Pizzeria makes one of the better pizzas in Long Beach, and it’s cheap and tasty. If you’re looking for a new place to try and you’re in the mood for a good classic slice of pizza, you need to try one of these fine establishments. For those impatient folks out there, don’t worry about a wait. Just grab a slice and get on with your day.

Matt Palafox