LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – Mooney’s Pizza, an all-new restaurant located in Long Beach, has quickly become the new local hotspot. Having only been open for around three weeks, this new pizza tavern is already the next best eating destination for all pizza lovers.

With 12.5 thousand followers on Instagram, Mooney’s Pizza was already a sensation well before it opened. From behind-the-scenes posts on construction and menu creation, to the design of the restaurant’s iconic turtle logo, people eagerly watched owners Hal and Cindy Mooney’s vision become a reality. 

Now, community members, like myself, get to sit in the finished restaurant and experience Mooney’s Pizza for the first time. 

The food

Almost every pizza restaurant that you go to tastes the same as all the others, except for a few differences, but Mooney’s Pizza is unlike anything else. Mooney’s is greasy, tavern-style comfort food, but, at the same time, it’s also fresh and pure, with a lot of thought put into it.

Always start your Mooney’s Pizza experience right with an appetizer: Mooney’s offers seven different starters, each with its own blend of flavors. If you’re looking for something savory, make sure to get the “Squeakers”: fried, crispy cheese curds with a dip of your choice. (Think of fried mozzarella sticks, but better.) If you’re hoping for a more “healthy” option, the Brussels sprouts are delicious. They’re surprisingly sweet and savory, because of the hot honey and balsamic glaze, and they pack a punch of flavor in one little bite. 

Even if you look at Mooney’s pizza selection and see some classics, don’t think that they’re going to be plain. Every Mooney’s pizza comes fresh out of the oven with a flavor profile that is true-to-form yet unique. For example, Mooney’s “Double Pepperoni” is the perfect blend of cheesy, saucy and savory, with plenty of “pepps” in every bite and a distinctively good pizza sauce. Feeling a little adventurous? The “Sausage & Chard” pizza is so good that you may get full after only one slice. 

Oh, and don’t forget the custard! Something special about Mooney’s is that they offer frozen custard as their signature dessert, with flavors circulating every week or so. The week I went, it was mint and chocolate, and they did not disappoint. They’re even served with little wooden spoons for extra sophistication. 

Overall, the food at Mooney’s Pizza is not basic, and that’s a good thing. Everything, down to their salads, has enough flavor to make customers do a double-take, and the homemade feeling makes it even better.

Gallery • 7 Photos

Katie Arnoult

Mooney's "Double Pepperoni" pizza has the perfect blend of flavor and plenty of "pepps" in every bite.

The service

Mooney’s Pizza customers walk in and immediately feel taken care of, whether it’s by the host at the entrance or the waiter who brings out their food. Most restaurant staff are always in a hurry to serve the next table and sometimes forget customers’ requests or leave things behind. But the Mooney’s staff are attentive, caring and always make sure you’re having a good time. They constantly check in on you, are happy to answer any questions and will always make sure your needs are met. 

The restaurant staff seems to function like a well-oiled machine, as if Mooney’s had already been open for decades. It seems that there is no shortage of support, whether it’s front or back of house, and you can always find someone available to help. 

The vibes

When you think of a tavern, what might come to mind is a dark dive bar on the side of the road. However, Mooney’s Pizza takes the idea of a pizza tavern and runs in a whole new direction with it. From the vaulted white ceilings to the nostalgic-looking glass lamps over every table, Mooney’s pays homage to the “classic pizza restaurant” with a light, breathable space and warm interior tones that feel like home. 

Unfortunately, Mooney’s Pizza is not the place to go to have a deep, heartfelt conversation with your best friend. It’s where you could go after a long day of sports practice with a group to enjoy some comfort food and take a load off – and you might have to raise your voice on busy nights. Yes, it can get loud in there, but it’s the kind of loud when you know you’re surrounded by community and everyone is having fun. 

Additionally, Mooney’s Pizza is a place for all ages to enjoy; you’ll find couples sitting at the bar and families sitting in the green booths, enjoying the same food. To add to the family-friendly atmosphere, Mooney’s features its own photo booth and arcade games for the little ones (although big kids can enjoy them, too!).

Still, Mooney’s Pizza gives a “locals-only” vibe. It gets rave reviews from neighbors and it’s not uncommon to see some familiar faces when you dine. It’s the perfect combination of good vibes and even better food, and a must-visit for anyone who loves pizza, which is to say, everyone.