Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood has served it last slice of world-record breaking pizza.
The pizzeria was known for having the largest deliverable pizza in the world. The 54″ x 54″ pie required customers to have double doors and cost $199, with each additional topping costing $16.
The restaurant and its massive pizza were featured on an episode of TLC’s Modern Marvels.
Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria was founded by Aro Agakhayan, an Armenian native who immigrated to the United States with his mother at the age of 12. As high school student, he took over a struggling pizzeria in Burbank, single-handedly revived it and later rebranded it into the iconic franchise it is today.
[…] Queso is the latest in a string of WeHo restaurants to shut its doors. Big Mama and Papa’s Pizzeria also closed up shop within the past […]
If anyone might be interested, today’s NY Times offered an article on the 25 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles. They were all ethnic. West Hollywood is missing out on the vast cultural possibilities.
Go look at the comments for a new Georgian/Armenian restaurant that makes Khachapuri: a warm, boat-shaped yeast bread stuffed with a variety of cheeses and an egg in the center.
The old white gays were telling them to go to Glendale and they wanted Subway back…
Many of the original, authentic ethnic restaurants in the area were deposed by rather greedy landlords that ultimately gave them “cash for keys” whereby they were required to relocate and/or ultimately close their businesses forever. Although on the Beverly Blvd. border, delicious and friendly China Catering met just such a fate.
I see a lot of the same story lines in the comments, but wondering if there is any specific reason given for their closing? Lease up and rent increase, retirement? Lack of business? Health issues? I was not a fan of their pizza, and it has been so many years since I ate there, so no idea what was going on.
Some establishments are very clever in adding a fee to dining. One restaurant, in a WeHo hotel, places on their bill an ORD (ordinace) fee to the check to compensate for, I will assume, the additonal monies they now have to pay employees. The Formosa is even more clever. The rule of thumb has always been to calculate the tip (whatever the percentage you wish to leave) on what has been consumed. But the Formosa calculates the tip including the tax which I have never experienced before. So, check your bill and be certain it is correct. Fair warning !
To those who think the high minimum wage and the city council are responsible for business closures in West Hollywood, let’s look at the facts: The increase in storefront business closures across the country between 2022 and 2023 isn’t unique to our city. Studies show that the minimum wage doesn’t have a significant impact on job creation, and sometimes, raising it can even be a catalyst for job growth. While the city council has made some efforts, like providing grants, I believe more can be done. Rather than placing blame, let’s focus on the real issues: Online retail competition is… Read more »
thats all beautiful but I personally get bothered by people who blame everything on the internet. BlockParty sells thousands of units of product and down sales are not because of the internet. the local environment, surcharges all over, the cities reputation, a experimenting with public safety, have led to the demise of traffic, the minimum wage has many components, i suggest you discuss those because its not rate per hour that is the problem. PS, the city was suppose to be about affordability for its residents, but this city council laid the biggest sales tax and local surcharges inflation tax… Read more »
I appreciate your insights, but let’s dig deeper. You’ve rightly pointed out local factors and the intricate nature of the minimum wage issue. However, it’s crucial to view these in the broader context. Internet Impact: While your BlockParty success is noted, nationwide data paints a different picture. Between 2022-2023, there was a 25% surge in business closures nationwide. The internet’s influence on consumer behavior is transforming businesses far beyond our city. Local Factors: These are indeed valid concerns, but they’re interconnected with more substantial trends. Picture the internet as a tide affecting the entire ocean, not just one boat. Minimum… Read more »
You cant create an affordable anything when every nail in every wall, and every person putting the nail in the wall and every piece of wood is taxed at the highest in the nation rate. So keep dreaming. You might then understand why the Saban Free Clinic turned down our free money grants.. due to the constraints.
I agree that West Hollywood could be more business-friendly and should help businesses grow, not be in their way. However, the reasons often given on this site don’t serve anyone, as the narrative isn’t fact-based or effective. Many on this site say, “No one listens to us,” and maybe it’s because we’re not always armed with facts. We all share the same desire, to see our city thrive. So, coming together, doing the research, comparing our city to others, and identifying areas for improvement seems to be the best way to change it. I understand everyone’s frustration, but constant arguing… Read more »
where are you on our weekly business roundup, monthly meetings, or quarterly business meeting with the city manager and staff. we are all comiing together but you seem to be in the dark. ps, city council turned down an economic study on the worker ordinance, might wnat to share your post with them.
The highest minimum wage in the country, along with the highest sales tax, increasing crime, an increase in homelessness, anti-police attitude from city council, ARE ALL reasons why this city is seeing this increase in businesses closing. Bad policy equals bad results.
While West Hollywood faces challenges, let’s focus on the facts:
1. Minimum Wage: Several countries with higher minimum wages, like Australia and New Zealand, maintain robust economies.
2. Sales Tax: Our 10.25% rate is consistent with other California cities, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.
3. Crime and Homelessness: These issues are complex and related to broader factors like substance abuse, affecting our entire region.
If we truly want our city to improve, let’s rally around facts and not assumptions or emotions. We can be a progressive, intelligent city that seeks evidence-based solutions.
Laugh out loud. Australia has a higher minimum wage. Your right, they have the highest minimum wage in the world, they import everything! Beverly Hills sales Tax is 9.5%, when you say lets rally around facts then start with yourself.
Exactly Larry. Fact is, some people make all the excuses in the world for the candidates they support. Fact is, our city is in the biggest decline I’ve seen in the 30+ years I’ve lived here. Fact is, that where are city is now is a direct result of the “progressive” extreme policies enacted by people that are aggressive political hacks that are far from the public servants we used to have serving. Fact is, we need to turn this city around come next election or we will continue to decline.
“Fact is, our city is in the biggest decline I’ve seen in the 30+ years I’ve lived here”
That is literally an opinion, not a fact.
Let’s get our facts straight: Minimum wage in Australia as of 1 July 2023 is AUD$23.23/hour, which is equivalent to USD$14.94. Statewide minimum in CA is $15.50, increasing to $16 on 1/1/2024, with certain segments (like fast food workers) increasing to $20 in April. West Hollywood’s minimum wage is $19.08, and with the added PTO requirements, it is effectively about $23.00.
Thanks for the clarification, should have caught that buying from Aussie Bum.. for the shop.
I did not care for their pizza, but they had a following. Any reason for the closure? Lease up?
I didn’t care for it either and this place had a run that lasted longer than I thought it would based on the quality of the food. Just one opinion there.
Another small business causality of our city’s deaf, dumb and ignorant business agenda. The toll of the council’s self serving policies have single handedly derailed small business and national corporations from doing business in West Hollywood.
And yet we consistently see new restaurants opening in West Hollywood.
Our voices are ignored. Counter narrative.
I am occasionally taught something, I think.
And closings. I appreciate your optimism, but the rose color glasses approach is just what got us in this mess. And it is a mess. The long term effects of a city based on have and have nots, sky high rents and property values, increasing homeless population, small and large businesses being priced out and increasing crime is the San Francisco effect. When low income is considered $70,000 per year in West Hollywood there is a problem. The job of a city council and a city manager is to steer us into calm waters and maintain balance. NOT create the… Read more »
I totally agree! We need businesses that align with what folks want nowadays. You can see the popular spots with lines out the door.
The highest element of dining in West Hollywood appears to be Pizza and fast food. Broaden your horizons folks and enjoy excursions into the ethnic food purveyors that choose WeHo to serve you.
Wow, yet another business closing. The decline of West Hollywood continues. Very sad. Turn it around in 2024. Every vote counts.
Thai restaurant opening on Fairfax and Santa Monica. Same edition, different page.
One new doesn’t make up for the many lost.
Restaurants go out of business frequently and all of the time, all over the world.
Not the fault of the host city.
Not generally.
That was (is) good pizza! Another one bites the dust in West Hollywood as destroyed by the current, self-involved City Council. You all know the ones to whom I refer.
And another opening.
the space is for lease. there is nobody opening at that location yet. should we say the same about tenants who get displaced, another one moving in?
Yes. The headline from yesterday: NEW RESTAURANTS: Eat Thai
Z-Pizza is also opening. Right?
I think on or around fairfax. One was here almost 20 years and famous for their 54′ inch party pizza, strolling round town in that special mamas and papas car with the big party strapeed to the roof,.. sort of unique to weho like like tail of the pup, and yeah a thai restaurant may be relocating to a location within or close to weho.
Why are they closing?
Pot Shop to replace it?
or a bar. 🙄