Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Anguiano. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Loosies Pizza was born from a deep-rooted friendship, a love for New York cuisine, and a desire to share its flavors with Santa Ana. After a trip to the Big Apple, Miguel Navarro, Edgar Garcia, and Daniel Anguiano embarked on a mission to bring the same big flavor of the city back to their hometown. The vision took shape in 2020, and against all odds during the global pandemic, the trio’s determination prevailed. Working tirelessly during a time of much uncertainty, they defied skepticism and challenges to serve their community by opening the doors of Loosies Pizza in early 2022, creating a culinary haven in Downtown Santa Ana.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Trying to find a location during a global pandemic where many if not all, businesses were closed or unaware of what tomorrow brought was only one of many hurdles we overcame. Luckily, we found the perfect location in the city we all grew up in and love. However, being this was our first venture into the restaurant industry, during the buildout and construction, unaware of what a commercial kitchen required and how to be compliant, we came across more hurdles. Through trial and error, we got through construction, but the work didn’t stop there. Once that was done, we faced a larger obstacle – creating an authentic dough recipe that we felt captured the taste of New York that we love.
It was important to us to find the best quality ingredients to make the flavors as authentic as possible. We sought advice from our friends in the culinary industry and after trying over and over again and spending many hours in the kitchen we finally perfected the dough recipe. We put together something that we were happy with and felt represented what we were going for – New York taste.
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?
Inspired by a profound love for the bustling streets, iconic pizzerias, and music scene of New York City, we have dedicated our efforts to perfecting the craft of quality pizza that transcends taste buds and takes customers to the heart of New York City without leaving our own neighborhood.
With our commitment to celebrating the essence of New York and embracing Santa Ana’s rich culture, Loosies Pizza has become a destination for both locals and visitors to indulge in an array of traditional and innovative pies. From classic cheese and pepperoni to our artfully crafted off-menu pies, each pie reflects our passion for culinary creativity and community building.
We pride ourselves in the fact that Loosies Pizza has become a community hangout where people come to enjoy not just our pizza but also a shared sense of connection. Our vision was always to create a space where people from all walks of life could experience a little bit of New York in the heart of our city.
Beyond the kitchen, we are dedicated to staying true to our roots and making a positive impact on the Santa Ana community. Through collaborations with local businesses, musicians, and organizations, our Loosies Pizza has been a part of a variety of events, fundraisers, and activities that enrich the neighborhood and create a space for meaningful connections. As our business continues to grow in Santa Ana, we hope to continue sharing with the community we grew up in and beyond.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The number one piece of advice we can offer is to stay true to your vision and don’t let any obstacles or hurdles discourage you and take you off your path.
When you are starting out remember that nothing will go as planned. Despite this, roll with the punches, and if you really want it, it will all work out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iloveloosies.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loosiespizza
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iloveloosies
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/loosies-pizza-santa-ana
Image Credits
Photos by Aaron Moctezuma: Main Image – Pizza Display Upload #1 – Founder Photo From left to right: Daniel Anguiano, Miguel Navarro, Edgar Garcia Upload #2 – Alejandro Calderon Pizza Toss
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