Elio's Wood Fire Pizza

Tucked away in an unassuming Echo Park parking lot, Elio’s Wood Fire Pizza has become one of those spots that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special. The mobile trailer glows with green, white, and red lights reminiscent of a vintage Vegas sign, instantly transporting you to a little slice of Italy on Sunset Boulevard. What started from a converted pickup truck back in 2019 has evolved into a neighborhood institution that draws crowds every evening.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the wood-burning oven visible through the trailer’s window, cranking out 12-inch Neapolitan-style pies with impressive speed. Each pizza emerges with a beautifully blistered, chewy crust that hits all the right notes. With nine varieties on the menu featuring toppings ranging from creamy burrata to hearty barbecue chicken, there’s something for every palate. The prosciutto pizza stands out as a crowd favorite, layered with peppery arugula and stretchy mozzarella.

The dining experience here is delightfully informal—regulars can be spotted enjoying their pizzas from car trunks while newcomers mill about, eagerly anticipating their order. It’s the kind of place where you’ll strike up a conversation with strangers and leave feeling like you’ve been let in on one of LA’s best-kept secrets.

For anyone seeking genuinely excellent pizza without the pretense or price tag, Elio’s delivers in spades. It’s proof that sometimes the most memorable meals come from the most unexpected places.