Pizza pie at Al’s, that’s amore

Greer Wylder

When Al Amiri, 30, took over his brother’s pizza shop in Costa Mesa

10 years ago, it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

“At 21, I had the choice to continue with college, or try to make

this work,” Amiri said, referring to his namesake business, Al’s New

York Cafe. “I honestly don’t think I could have learned more about

running a business if I did finish college.”

By the age of 13, Amiri knew he was destined to cook. He grew up

in Irvine and, as a self-described latchkey kid; he was always

messing around in the kitchen. He subsequently learned how to cook on

his own, and when his parents came home from work, he had dinner

ready for them. He also worked part time in pizza shops.

Amiri’s grateful for his loyal customers who frequent his tiny

cafe, just 750 square feet, next to 7-Eleven on Irvine Avenue in

Costa Mesa.

“I’m so appreciative of my customers,” Amiri said. “They’re the

reason my business is what it is today.”

Despite the shop’s proximity to Newport Harbor High School and the

center’s popularity as an after-school hangout, Amiri’s regular

customers aren’t necessarily students. Many customers come as far as

the other side of the bay, near Newport Center.

“There just isn’t a place like this in that area. They come to my

place to enjoy the food, and they appreciate the value. Lunch costs

less than $5,” Amiri said. “It’s not fast food; it takes a little

time. We don’t prep food and let it lay around all day. It’s freshly

cooked to order.”

Value and quality is a big draw for Amiri’s customers. A family of

four can eat there for less than $30, and mailer coupons are

available for an extra large pizza with salad and garlic bread for

just $16.99.

“We make fresh pizza sauce daily or every other day, as well as

five different pasta sauces,” Amiri said, referring to the shop’s

offerings of marinara, meat sauce, a rich garlic cream and a pink

sauce. “[The pink sauce is] a perfect blend of cream and marinara,

for those who want good flavor, not too much red and not too much

white.

“I think my pizza speaks for itself,” Amiri said. “It’s a nice

thin, New-York-style crust. And we make fresh dough daily.”

Amiri’s attention to high quality food extends to his bakery

items. He only uses fresh baguettes from C’est Si Bon for his

sandwiches.

Although Al’s New York Cafe is popular for its pizza, Amiri also

serves pastas ($5.50 to $7.25); calzones ($6.50 to $8.50); salads ($3

to $7.75); hot and cold sandwiches ($4.25 to $6.50); and specialty

dishes, such as chicken cacciatore ($7.85) and eggplant parmesan

($7.85). A lesser- known fact is that Amiri’s catering capabilities

are more than just serving cafe foods.

“At catering events, I can deliver everything and anything a

client wants,” Amiri said. “We do breakfasts. At fine-dining events,

I can set up beautiful displays. And we plan parties for groups of 30

to 500 people.”

Among the popular items on the menu are the Caesar salad ($3.75

for small and $5.25 for large); the meatball sandwich, served on a

baguette with melted mozzarella (small $4.25 and large $5.75); the

NYC special pizza, with pepperoni, sausage, onion, garlic and cheese

(small $11.50, large $14.50 and extra large $18.50); the garlic

cheese bread ($2.50); and the chicken supreme sandwich with sauteed

bell peppers, onions and baked mozzarella (small $4.75 and large

$6.25).

Al’s offers free local delivery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and 5 p.m.

to closing daily.