On a recent episode of the Pizza Story Podcast, host Erica D’Arcangelo sat down with Angel Solis, the driving force behind 399 Pizza in Glendora, California. His story isn’t just about dough and sauce; it’s a decades-long saga of family sacrifice, resilience, and a deep-rooted passion for serving the community.
A Childhood in the Dough
Angel’s journey began in 1993. At just six years old, he watched his parents pour their life savings into a small mom-and-pop shop in West Covina. Back then, the marketing strategy was simple: print 300 flyers and hand them out to every car in sight.
The shop’s name, 399 Pizza, was literal—they sold a 14-inch, eight-slice cheese pizza for just $3.99. “You can’t even get a slice for that price now,” Angel laughed. For the Solis family, those early years were a struggle. “I remember all we could do was eat pizza. We couldn’t afford anything else. I wanted McDonald’s, and my parents said, ‘No, you’re having pizza.'”
Expanding the Empire
The family eventually expanded to five locations across the San Gabriel Valley, but each new shop brought its own set of challenges. When they opened their second location in Baldwin Park, they moved from their familiar conveyor ovens to old-school deck ovens.
“We had a battle,” Angel admitted. “We burnt a lot of pizzas. I got burn marks… we had never used those before.” This “learning the hard way” became a theme for the family as they adapted to different neighborhoods and different customer needs.
The Trial of 2020
In 2019, Angel took over the fifth location in Glendora—an old Round Table Pizza that had been there for 31 years. Just as they were hitting their stride, the world shut down.
Angel describes the COVID-19 pandemic as a defining moment. “There were days where we were making $20 a day, $10 a day, to no money at all.” While many historic pizzerias folded, 399 Pizza survived. Angel credits this to a “heaven-sent” work ethic inherited from his father, who at 71 years old, is still running his own shop every day.
The Menu: Mexican Flavors and Pastrami Pies
399 Pizza isn’t trying to be a fancy Neapolitan spot; it’s a “people’s pizzeria” with a menu that reflects the culture of Southern California.
Some of their standout creations include The Pastrami Pizza, The Mexican Pizza, and The Jalapeño Popper Pizza:
The Art of the Regular
Angel’s philosophy on business is simple: Know your customer. He is a self-admitted micromanager, but only because he cares about the details. He has a large window in his Glendora shop so he can watch people park.
“When they’re coming in, I already know what they drink, what they’re going to order for lunch, and where they’re going to sit,” he said. To Angel, customer service isn’t a department; it’s a relationship. He views his regulars as family—the kind you see more often than your actual relatives.
Looking Forward
Despite having five locations, Angel is far from finished. His dream is to see 399 Pizza on the cover of PMQ Pizza Magazine and to continue expanding. But no matter how many locations they open, his goal remains the same: ensuring every customer leaves with a great experience.
“I want people to know Angel—that guy is a great pizza owner,” he says. With a legacy built on hard work and a “399” price point that started it all, it’s clear the Solis family has left an indelible mark on the California pizza scene.
Follow 399 Pizza on Instagram @399pizza_glendora
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