Apollonia’s Pizzeria

The line often snakes out the door of Apollonia's Pizzeria, a small, cash-only spot tucked into a Wilshire Boulevard strip mall. Inside, the space is tight and functional, built entirely for takeout. A steamy, open kitchen dominates the room, and while you’ll find a narrow standing counter along one wall, there are no tables or chairs for settling in. The process is simple: you order at the register, give your name, and join the crowd waiting for the order to be called out. Apollonia's serves two distinct styles of pizza. There are the traditional New York-style round pies, like the popular combination of pepperoni, burrata, and Mike’s Hot Honey. But the reason for the long waits is the thick, square-cut pizza, which has an airy, focaccia-like crust that took the owner months to perfect. Its signature is a tall, crispy filigree of golden-brown cheese that rises above the edge – a feature known as the "cheese crown." The Spicy Vodka Square is a constant favorite, alongside a classic pepperoni and other specialty slices like the Acapulco Gold. Just know that a wait of over 25 minutes is common, especially on weekend evenings. It’s the kind of place you plan for, and be sure to bring cash, as it’s the only form of payment they accept.