Today we’d like to introduce you to Esteban Gutierrez.
Hi Esteban, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My LA journey began in 2015 when I left New York City and moved to Los Angeles. I worked for all the best pizzerias in Los Angeles and encountered incredible people who provided me with this opportunity eight years later. A friend and mentor from Los Angeles called me in August of 2021 to inform me that he had stumbled upon an opportunity that was tailor-made for me. He stated that Jam Master J’s daughter was opening a New York-style pizzeria in Los Angeles and was searching for a real New York pizzaman to represent the business. Things moved swiftly after he made the introduction; on September 19th, I packed up and moved to Los Angeles! I assumed the position of “chief chef” and began to draft my menu; on September 29, we opened for business. This incredible endeavor, however, would be short-lived.
Tyra, the daughter of Jam, was unable to deliver the promised employment offer. Three months later, the enterprise began to fall apart. I considered going back to New York City, but I didn’t want to return home vanquished. Everett Smith, one of the owners of Presidential Cannabis, consented to become my business partner, and we reopened the pizzeria together. He observed me making pizza and believed in me, and in typical Los Angeles style, my life changed overnight. I went from chief chef of a failing pizzeria to co-owner of a successful pizzeria. On March 17, 2022, we opened our doors to the public after months of planning and recipe development, building a staff and making some additions to the pizzeria, and doing things the correct way. Since then, one year has passed, and it has been incredible. We are having a fantastic time establishing a community on La Brea, and most importantly, we are having so much joy!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When you’re in charge of running a business, you have to wear a lot of different hats, which can make things exceptionally challenging at times. The day-to-day business operations that are linked with establishing this business have been difficult to run; despite this, we have an excellent team, and we are making progress in spite of the difficulties.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Esco’s is the local pizzeria, the kind of restaurant where the employees will call you by your first name. Our focus is on providing excellent service to our customers and making each interaction a positive one. I have been working as a pizza maker for the past 20 years, and opening my own restaurant has always been a lifelong dream of mine. The pizzeria as well as the speakeasy-style lounge that is located behind the building, make up the one-of-a-kind facility. Both of these areas are great for hosting large gatherings. I have a huge passion for interacting with new people and delivering outstanding service. The path that I have traveled to get to this point is the thing of which I am the proudest. Everyone has been very instrumental in the development of Esco’s Pizza, and I am thankful for the people I have met along the way. Everyone who comes here to eat with us and stays long enough to notice notices that there is something mystical about this location. This is only the beginning of things to come.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I would love to support LA and partner with interesting people and communities. I have the space to host a number of people and create a culture of learning and appreciation of both food and art.
Pricing:
- Slices are from $4-$6
- Cesar Salads $10
- Heros $12
- 18 Inch pie about $30
- 22 Inch pie about $40
Contact Info:
- Website: escos.co
- Instagram: @escospizzaLA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/escos-pizza-los-angeles
Image Credits
@mpvinny300 @broll.productions
