Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, known for its long lines of patient, pizza-loving fans at its original location in Brooklyn, New York and others across the United States, announced today that it will open its first west coast location on January 27. The new location, just south of LAX in El Segundo, Calif., will be one of the popular brand’s largest restaurants and kicks off Grimaldi’s California expansion plans.
“The South Bay area of Los Angeles is the perfect place to open our first California location,” said Eric Greenwald, president and Chief Operating Officer of Grimaldi’s. “After overwhelming demand for our authentic New York-style pizza by fans in California, our team searched the state and found an ideal location in El Segundo. This is the first of many we hope to have in the state,” said Greenwald.
The nearly 7,200 sq. ft. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in El Segundo is located at 2121 Rosecrans Avenue and will feature award-winning, hand-tossed, coal-fired brick oven pizzas and calzones, fresh salads and delicious desserts.
“Grimaldi’s is about great food, impeccable service, and a relaxing atmosphere,” said Greenwald. “We are very excited to become a part of the vibrant, family-friendly, South Bay community.”
Upon opening, guests will be welcomed by Frank Sinatra crooning in the background, more than 100-years of pizza making traditions, and the tantalizing aroma of pizza and calzones baked to perfection in the signature coal-burning ovens.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is continuing to scout locations throughout California and plan to open several other locations in the state. The company experienced tremendous growth in 2012 and 2013. There are currently 31 locations throughout the United States, in Texas, Nevada, Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, Colorado, and its flagship stores in New York.
In the world of pizza, Grimaldi’s is an institution that has garnered more awards than any other pizzeria in the country with more celebrity sightings than most 5-star restaurants. Using only the freshest ingredients, a “secret recipe” pizza sauce, and handmade mozzarella cheese and dough, Grimaldi’s serves traditional pizza (as it began in Naples, Italy) in an upscale yet casual family-oriented pizzeria.
Designed and built by hand, the coal-fired ovens at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria deliver a unique flavor and consistency that is just not possible from wood or gas ovens. Weighing in at 25 tons and heated by 100 pounds of coal per day (cleanest burning fuel available and environmentally tested), the oven heats up to 1,200 degrees. The intense heat of the oven evenly bakes the pies to create Grimaldi’s famous crispy and smoky thin crust that Zagat has voted best pizza year after year.
It has been said that the secret to true New York-style pizza is the water. Grimaldi’s believes that too, going to great lengths to keep the integrity of the water used in the Brooklyn pizzeria by hiring a chemist to analyze and recreate the mineral content and exact composition of the water to ensure the dough tastes the same in California.
Several additional locations in California, South Carolina, Texas and Idaho are expected in 2014.
About Grimaldi's
Grimaldi’s offers guests a selection of beers as well as an extensive list of wines (by the glass and bottle) to complement their freshly prepared salads, hand tossed pizzas and calzones and famous desserts. For more information on Grimaldi’s Pizzeria visit www.grimaldispizzeria.com.
