Covid-19 has necessitated a new kind of innovation that aims to be pandemic proof in times of massive economic uncertainty. And the latest fad to enter the LA dining scene is the ghost kitchen. Today, restaurants are looking for unique ways to both cut costs and provide their customers with fast, reliable, and safe delivery services, and these kitchens are beginning to make an impact.
Ghost kitchens or cloud kitchens are typically a collective of restaurants, housed in large warehouses, where chefs can prepare food in a way that’s meant solely for delivery and carryout. Theses kitchens are home to big-name spots and upstarts alike and typically rely on delivery apps like Postmates, GrubHub, and others that often charge restaurants exorbitant fees. While the collective model helps lower rents, some restaurants have simply resorted to investing in their own spaces for the purpose of delivery, and other spots are clandestinely operating out of homes, apartments, and who knows where else.
For Angelenos, there are a ton of options, but we wanted to find some of the best Italian choices so you can order your to-go pizzas and pastas with confidence.
Impasta: Eating at home has its benefits, but ordering out can often affect the bottom line and the waistline in equally negative ways. One upstart called Impasta is changing that as they offer a variety of plant-based pastas and pizzas at affordable prices with no extra weight. Some of the carb-free standouts include spaghetti squash with a delectable pink sauce, cauliflower four cheese gnocchi, hearts of palm noodles with brown butter sage, and pesto pizza with cauliflower crusts and ricotta cheese.
(courtesy of Impasta, photo cover as well)
Ggiata: Set in a cloud kitchen with 15 or so other establishments, this plucky East Coast sandwich shop will have all the tri-state area transplants in Los Angeles getting nostalgic for their childhood neighborhood delis. Monster sandwiches here are filled to the brim with classic choices that include eggplant and chicken parm, classic Italian, and their Masterpiece which includes Prosciutto di Parma, eggplant, roasted peppers, stracciatella, and more on a charred ciabatta.
(courtesy pf Ggiata)
Mama’s Guy: Part of the Hwood Group’s growing empire of restaurants, Mama’s Guy is an offshoot of their standalone restaurant The Nice Guy where red sauce Italian American reigns supreme in all the best ways possible. The to-go menu at Mama’s Guy includes classics like baked ziti, meat lasagna, and a half dozen pastas along with sandwiches like their mouthwatering meatball and caponata hero.
Mama's Guy Lasagne and Baked Ziti (courtesy of Mama's Guy)
Dough Daddy: Part of the appeal of Dough Daddy is in the surreptitious way they serve their crackling Detroit style pizzas. First, their order process has a calendar with slots where, if you’re lucky, you can snag a spot to actually get a chance to order one of their super thick pies. Then, if you make it in, you’re given instructions on where to go (outside a high-rise in downtown LA), and a time window for when to be there to pick it up. If you miss that window, you won’t get your pizza. It’s worth the hassle though because Detroit-style pizza snobs will feel like they’re eating on the side of Lake Michigan with every crunchy, gooey bite.
Detroit pizza by Dough Daddy (courtesy of Dough Daddy)
Secret Lasagna: Operating out of a discreet location in West Hollywood, Secret Lasagna is the brainchild of Chef Royce Burke and Andrey Tolmachyov and is basically doing one thing very, very well. The gooey, molten hot lasagna comes in individual portions or family style with meat, gluten free, veggie, and vegan varieties. Sides and desserts are also delicious, and if you’re still trepidatious about shopping in a grocery store, Secret Lasagna has a fully stocked market of produce, dairy, meat, fish, and liquor/wine/beer products to help tide you over.