Even though Pizzeria La Scala has been in Westlake for 26 years, owner Anthony Perolli hasn’t lost his desire to bring a taste of New York to Texas.

“My father’s brother-in-law found the place,” Perolli said.

With his wife, Alex, and other members of his extended family, Perolli essentially runs three different establishments in one: a fine-dining restaurant, a pizza counter where customers can order pizza by the slice and other Italian staples, and a bar that Perolli said many people don’t even know exists.

While it’s a neighborhood place that was one of the first restaurants in Westlake, customers come from all over northeast Tarrant County and beyond when they’re craving authentic Italian food. If people want a pizza that they can’t get anywhere else, Perolli said they should go for the Perolli pizza.

“It was my father’s creation,” he said. “We all thought he was crazy when he first made it, then we tasted it and went, ‘Wow!’ It’s got a lot of flavor.”


That flavor comes from a combination of eggplant, diced jalapeno, onions, feta and mozzarella cheese, and Alfredo sauce. Customers can also order up menu items the way they like them.

“That’s part of being the neighborhood pizzeria,” Perillo said.

All the recipes come from New York and all of their product comes from Italy.

“It’s been the same for 26 years,” Perillo said. “So people know that when they come here, it’ll always be the same.”


One of those things is Perillo’s mother’s secret house dressing. “She’s the boss,” Perillo said. “The dressing is hers; none of us know how to make it. She doesn’t want anybody to touch it because it has to be done her way, the way she’s done it all these years.”

Pizzeria La Scala may be run by a family, but Perillo said it’s also a place where customers become family. “We get to know everyone that comes in the door,” said Perillo. “It’s the New York way.”