Pizza Love

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EL PASO — El Paso is a funny place. Some people on the Westside don’t know what the Eastside looks like and some Eastsiders don’t know there is a Thunderbird on the Franklin Mountains. Well after my discovery both sides have a reason to meet in the middle, Central El Paso, to savor the flavor of pizza.

(Patrick Palafox/Borderzine.com)

(Patrick Palafox/Borderzine.com)

I recently discovered the flavor of love and I’m not talking about Flavor Flav. His show is pretty sweet though.  Anyway, love tastes like pizza at the House of Pizza at 2016 N. Piedras in Central El Paso. I first heard about the place while filling up a tank of gas at the 7-11 right next door to the restaurant. The Virgen de Guadalupe mural painted on the side of the wall spoke to me. It said, “Come and I will give you the best pizza ever.”  I don’t recall hearing about pizza in the Bible, but I do know when you hear the voice of God you are supposed to follow.

(Patrick Palafox/Borderzine.com)

(Patrick Palafox/Borderzine.com)

Moving along, this St. Patrick’s Day was my chance to find out where the House of Pizza came from. I walk in, am greeted promptly and soon am being taken care of.  My contact, Cory Rakas, unfortunately tells me that she has to cover her son’s shift and can’t do the interview.  She also sends me away with a green chile pizza. Of course I can reschedule.

It turns out that St. Patrick’s Day is also the House of Pizza’s 31st birthday.  Paul and Cory Rakas opened the pizza shop March 17, 1978 after Paul, a Greek immigrant; fell in love with the weather in the Sun City after being stationed at Ft. Bliss.  Who knew something billions of miles away could make someone decide to open a pizza shop. “He just fell in love with the weather.”  The sun may burn you, but it also has blessed El Paso with awesome pizza so take it easy and please wear sunscreen.

After being in the pizza business for thirty years Cory says a lot of the customers are regulars. “We’ll see when the grandkids come around, you know, and the circle comes around.” Cory told Borderzine they have no plans to franchise for one reason, quality and she “would rather keep it simple.”

House of Pizza's owner, Cory Rakas. (Patrick Palafox/Borderzine.com)

House of Pizza's owner, Cory Rakas. (Patrick Palafox/Borderzine.com)

Everyday Paul makes the dough, Italian dressing, spaghetti sauce, meatballs and slices the “best pastrami you’ll ever have from Burbank, California.”  The demand for their pastrami is so strong that they go through two thousand pounds in less than six weeks. There’s only one man who can make it right. Hopefully, if human cloners have their way maybe we could get some of Paul’s DNA and make some more pizza houses. As for right now expect to find Cory managing, which means doing everything that isn’t getting done. The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays, because the Rakas are watching football. You can also expect shut doors throughout the month of July, because that is their special holiday.

The menu serves filling portions. There are single pizzas costing about $6, and large sizes ranging from $12 to $20. I recommend going on an empty stomach. Here’s a good reason why.  When you bite into a fresh pie there are a couple things you can expect to discover. Your teeth touch the cheese and something amazing happens, you can actually taste the flavor. Paul is “very picky about his cheese,” a mixture of provolone and mozzarella. Moving along, breaking through the cheesy shell you hit the sauce, which is juicy and tomatoey. Finally, the moment of truth: you break through the soft top of the crust and finish with a crisp crunch at the end.  Another thing to notice is that the slice remains in one piece. There’s no need to pick up any of the garnishes and put them back on the slice.

Pizza-love-guadalupe2

You can call them at (915) 565-7240 or (915) 565-7440, but they do not deliver, “Thank God, because I’d rather you pick it up, eat it here and enjoy it.”  Cory explains she wants to make sure that you get what you want and fix any problems at the restaurant. If that doesn’t explain the love they put into their craft then I can only suggest you taste it for yourself.

3 thoughts on “Pizza Love

  1. I randomly come into El Paso from Southern California. A navy friend of mine is from this fine town.
    This pizza rivals any pizza I have ever tasted. I purposely do not come to town in July because I know the restaurant closes for the month.
    The price is incredibly reasonable and is worth much more. A pure delight this restaurant is.

  2. Fantastic article with local flavor! I live in the same neighborhood as House of Pizza and it brings me JOY that I can walk to HOP and Gussie’s for dinner and dessert. I have been eating pizza for 38 years and this pizza is delicious. See you tonight Cory!

  3. Paul and Elvira Rakas orginally opened the place. Cory showed up later…..

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