A brand new pizzeria called Mooney’s Pizza is getting ready to make its debut later this year in Long Beach at 8105 E Wardlow Rd.
The new restaurant is set to move into the former home of Huff’s Family Restaurant, according to a recent liquor license application. Mooney’s Pizza is the brainchild of Cindy and Paul “Hal” Mooney, who are bringing a fresh twist to the local dining scene with their love for pizza, craft beer, and frozen custard. Hal tells What Now that this concept is expected to open in late 2025, likely in October or November.
The menu will feature Tavern-style pizzas and a few Detroit-style pies each night. Mooney’s will use organic flour, California tomatoes, and their own house starter culture, “Ruzu,” for natural leavening. In addition to pizza, guests can enjoy wings, fried cauliflower, salads, and more. The drink menu will include 20 craft beers on tap and a selection of natural wines, including Lambrusco on tap.
The space will be a reimagined 1960s diner, with the Mooneys restoring much of the original furniture, like cushioned booths and pendant lights. Mooney’s Pizza will have a large dining area with a seated bar, a patio for outdoor seating, and a private event space for special events like pizza and wine pairing parties or beer tasting classes. The Mooneys want to make it feel like home for the community.
“I love pizza and beer and wine and custard, and I love sharing the things I love with people,” Hal tells What Now Los Angeles. “I’m also from Illinois and miss eating good thin-crust pizza, so I’m excited to start making Tavern Pizza in Long Beach. We live in the neighborhood where we’re opening the restaurant, and I kept driving past this restaurant building that had been empty for the past four years, and I wanted to make sure that something that I would want to go into that space actually opened there. It’s my community and we’re raising our kids here and, not trying to sound too altruistic, I’m excited to be able to contribute to what goes into our neighborhood.
Opening Mooney’s Pizza is a chance for Hal to bring the thin-crust pizza he grew up with in Illinois to Long Beach. He and Cindy both have a background in craft beer. They previously owned LA Beer Hop, a brewery tour company, and currently run Your Beer Friend, offering virtual beer tastings and subscription boxes. Both are Certified Cicerones, and Hal is also a Sommelier.
For a quirky touch, the Mooneys will feature a fictional tortoise named Pepperoni, who lives in a small house on the patio and makes his annual appearance each spring to the delight of guests. Mooney’s Pizza will undoubtedly become a neighborhood favorite with its high-quality ingredients, craft beer program, and cozy atmosphere. The Mooneys are excited to bring their passion for great food and drinks to Long Beach, and the restaurant is sure to become a local hotspot when it opens in late 2025.
