Customers can purchase pizzas by the slice, or by small, large or extra-large pies. (Courtesy Pizza King)
Pizza King in League City began as a one-off mom-and-pop pizzeria after a New York native bought the existing pizza shop and rebranded it.
Dodi Vasquez grew up in the shop, starting as a summer employee during his teen years, and eventually took over the restaurant, and recently expanded the shop with a second location in Kemah.
Owner Dodi Vasquez has seen the pizzeria evolve in many ways, from using pen and papers to a POS system.Courtesy Pizza King
As the restaurant has evolved into two locations, Vasquez was able to grow the restaurant’s presence through social media.
“When I took over, that was my first object of business was to get the name out there,” he said. “I promote Pizza King, but I also do a lot of food reviews for other small businesses, and I think building that decorum with people has really made them want to stop by the pizza shop to try it out as well.”
Craving pizza?
Pizza King offers an assortment of pizzas, but the most popular is currently “Hey Honey,” which is a double pepperoni pizza with hot honey drizzle, Vasquez said.
Other specialty pizzas include pickle pizza, made with a ranch base with sliced pickles and dill sprinkle; chicken wing, made with a choice of ranch or bleu cheese, topped with buffalo-style chicken and mozzarella; “El Rey,” which includes pepperoni, jalapenos and pineapple; Texas road house BBQ, which is made with bacon, sausage, onions and a few jalapenos; and “The Legend,” which has pepperoni, beef, sausage, ham, bacon, mushrooms, onions, black olives and fresh roasted peppers, among other speciality pizzas.
What else?
Along with pizza, the shop offers garlic knots, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, toasted ravioli, wings and salads, according to the restaurant’s menu.
Whatever customers are in the mood for, Vasquez said his proudest moments as the owner are seeing all the smiles.
“I love seeing when food reviewers stop by and they love the food, and then seeing everybody come by and try it, and get the same experience that the food reviewers get,” he said.
The pizzeria was originally bought by a New York-native before current owner Dodi Vasquez took over the shop.Courtesy Pizza King
Looking ahead
A decade from now, Vasquez wants Pizza King to be known for the best pizza in this part of Texas, he said. He hopes to achieve this by having each of his children eventually own a shop.
“I have four kids, and I would love for each one to have their own shop,” Vasquez said. “I think if I were to expand, I have two more shops in me and that might be enough.”
