Throughout his life, Lusha said pizza-making has been a focus of what he does, to the point where he even dreamed about making pizzas while asleep.
“It’s always been a dream,” Lusha said. “I’ve always wanted my own [shop], even though I’ve always worked with family in pizza shops since I was a kid.”
One of the most striking differences between New York pizza and the average pizza from a food chain franchise is the size. According to Lusha, a typical large pizza is 14 inches, while New York Grand Pizza’s large is 16 inches.
“It’s hand-tossed pizza. There’s no other way to make it,” Lusha said. “You don’t have some kind of contraption or machine slamming it down and doing it for you.”
Although his family’s base recipe has stayed the same over the years, Lusha said he is still experimenting and trying out new ways to innovate the pizza he makes. In addition to pizzas, the eatery also serves other Italian favorites, such as lasagna and calzones.
In its first year open, Lusha said the business has cultivated a loyal following and has provided several learning opportunities for him.
“[I’m] now a business owner,” he said. “I’m not just making pizzas for my uncle.”
Lusha said as the business heads into its second year, it began delivering pizzas in a three-mile radius on Oct. 6. But no matter how the restaurant expands, Lusha said customers will still be able to tell their friends the same thing.
“I think they tell them it’s the best freakin’ pizza they’ve ever had!” Lusha said.
New York Grand Pizza
16430 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Ste. 800, Houston
832-243-6160
www.nygrandpizza.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
