ABOUT
Hot Tongue Pizza is a contemporary pizza shop that takes from the energy and vibrance of the best city in the world, Los Angeles. The open floor plan of the restaurant allows for a peak inside the magic that goes on day in day out. The pizza is not only meant to entice your tastebuds, but also to evoke the nostalgia of that slice you had growing up.
Hot Tongue’s warm counter service and low key casual ambience makes for a perfect dining experience. Come in a stranger and leave a friend. The alchemy comes in the form of classic pizza combinations, on top of the best organic grains, carefully sourced ingredients with an angeleno attitude.
MEET ALEX
Meet the dynamic founder, Alex Koons!
With a remarkable 17-year journey in the pizza industry, Alex Koons boasts an impressive résumé that spans every role in the business, from a humble delivery driver to a visionary owner. In February 2022, he set the pizza world on fire by inaugurating the first Hot Tongue location, which quickly garnered rave reviews and captured the hearts of pizza enthusiasts far and wide.
But Alex's story didn't start in pizza. He draws intriguing parallels between his background in the music industry and his culinary ventures. To him, running a restaurant is akin to leading a band, where your team plays the role of the band, service becomes the electrifying live show, customers transform into devoted fans, and your food, the heart-pounding music.
Beyond his culinary endeavors, Koons wears another hat as a pizza consultant, embodying a strong commitment to prioritizing people. He champions the cause of helping chefs and restaurant owners embrace the future by expanding their vegan offerings. With a passion for pushing the boundaries of culinary innovation and customer satisfaction, Alex Koons is truly a force to be reckoned with in the world of food and beyond.
VISION
"I'm on a mission to revolutionize plant-based dining, because I believe that those who choose plant-based diets deserve nothing but the best. My passion lies in creating a culinary experience that's every bit as exceptional as its meat and dairy counterparts, and that's why I take it upon myself to personally craft our vegan "cheeses," proteins, and sauces.
Sure, going head-to-head with the classic grande mozzarella is a formidable challenge, but I'm not one to back down. While Hot Tongue offers a tempting array of vegetarian cheese options, be prepared for your taste buds to be pleasantly surprised by our plant-based alternatives. Your favorite slice might just be one you never expected.
So, why did I embark on this Hot Tongue adventure? It boils down to an unrelenting passion, an insatiable desire, and an unspoken purpose that resides within most of us. This is my calling. I cherish the restaurant industry, the close-knit pizza community, and the thrill of pushing the boundaries of what "traditional" pizza can be.
This pizzeria is a personal reflection of who I am and what I hold dear. We are absolutely thrilled to share this culinary journey with the vibrant city of Los Angeles – a city we deeply admire and love."
- Alex
