Antonio’s Pizzeria Celebrates 60 Continuous Years in Sherman Oaks

Antonio’s Pizzeria and its iconic sign have been lighting up Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, California, since 1957.   To celebrate, the family restaurant served up $19.57 dine-in meal deals on Friday-Saturday, August 25 and August 26.   Deputy Mayor Barbara Romero presented Antonio’s Pizzeria with a proclamation to mark the occasion.   For details, please visit //www.antoniospizzeriala.com/,  Facebook, and  Instagram.

The meal opens with the famous pizza, still made from the same recipe. Dinner includes:

• 1 large pizza (1 topping)
• A plate of spaghetti and meatball
• Chopped salad
• Soft drinks
  

  We chose the pulled sausage on our pizza

A choice of marinara or meat sauce (shown here), with garlic, oil or butter, is offered with the Spaghetti and Meatballs. The pasta “is the only thing that is not made from scratch,” reported Alex.  “But we feel we would rather buy the best and then put our efforts into everything else made from scratch in our kitchen.”  Extra (large!) meatballs are $2.75.

We chose the Chopped Salad with tomato, onion, and the perfect amount of romaine lettuce, dressed with Antonio’s own dressing.

“It’s been an honor to serve the community for 60 years, and we’re looking forward to 60 more,” said Antonio’s co-owner/proprietor Alex Lunardon with brother, Steven.   There is always one owner on site.  “Our customers are family to us.”

To mark Antonio’s milestone birthday, the restaurant has also launched a line of its famous Italian salad dressing ($4.95). “Everyone loves the dressing and usually ask to take some home with them, so why not bottle it?” laughs Alex.

Antonio’s Pizzeria has been a staple to the neighborhood and remains one of the few non-franchised, family-style restaurants remaining in the San Fernando Valley. Customers can expect homemade, traditional Italian dishes, hearty portions, and friendly but professional service.

Families of at least two generations are regulars in the spacious dining room (still with fake grape leaves), pretty much unchanged since it opened – though changes like Gluten-free pasta are part of keeping up with the times.   This table for two in the spacious front dining room is still friendly even before the lunch crowd comes into the room ( and the TV was probably not in the original Antonio’s!).

An old-fashioned menu encased in glass is out front with an “A” for cleanliness –  and deserves an A+ for hospitality and service.   Antonio’s serves lunch and dinner daily, adding live music nightly and weekly specials. 

Antonio originally was affiliated with the famous Micelli’s down the street in Studio City but wanted to maintain his mother’s authentic Italian recipes, and struck out on his own and created what became the enormously popular Antonio’s Pizzeria in 1957 in Sherman Oaks.  He sold the restaurant to the Lunardons in 1988 when he retired because he knew they would continue his tradition of authentic Italian food and hospitality.

For more information, please visit:  //www.antoniospizzeriala.com/,  Facebook and follow them on Instagram.