Text & Photos Julian Lucas
Published January 4, 2022, 6:40 Am PST

King Umberto I of Savoy and Queen Margherita of Savoy paid a visit to Naples in 1889. Esposito prepared a pizza in the Italian flag colors of red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (arugula) (basil leaves). This is what we now refer to as a classic Neapolitan pizza.

Who would have guessed? A rarity, a gem, almost like finding your most precious piece of jewelry in a haystack-true Italian has arrived in the region. Chef Antonio and his son Ivan are the creators of the classic, finally! And why wouldn’t they be? The family-owned restaurant or street restaurant is from southern Italy, Naples. A city perched right on the Bay of Naples where pizza originated.

Pizza, omnipresent, and usually not great. A pizza street vendor? Not too common. Served as a personal pizza, “Italia Pasta e Pizza is an arrival of the definitive. This street vendor has been holding down the block of Arrow Hwy Glendora Blvd in Covina, CA. The family-owned business has become very popular and has been feeding the people for the last 6 months.

If you understand pizza, you know it begins with the dough, and from the result, it was virtuous. The Salsiccia was hmm how can I explain, Fantastic! Fabulous! Omg! The fat from the sausage, the nutty mushroom, and the spice yet sweet taste of the basil, outstanding! But it didn’t stop there.

The Calzone is a definite spectacle, a thin-crusted oven-charred medium-sized treasure. The sweetness from the Salame and tomato sauce, fresh basil, and showering of mozzarella, a folded crust sparingly dressed with sprinkles of cheese and basil leaves.

The Margherita, the classic, the essence of spirituality, the tomato sauce, the mozzarella, and the fresh basil will leave you wanting more. You will go back the next day, again and again. You’ll need a therapist because you will develop a habit, an addiction chasing the dragon. You want it, you need it! It’s oh so good!

If you still have room left, you may want to try the Tiramisu if it isn’t sold out.

Julian Lucas, is fine art, documentary photographer, and photojournalist. Julian also works as a housing specialist which, includes linking unhoused individuals to housing. Julian has lived in Chicago, Inglewood, Portland, and the suburbs of Los Angeles County including Pomona.