Chef
Justin De Leon
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- Los Angeles, California, United States
i. Biography
Founder of Apollonia’s Pizzeria in Los Angeles, United States, is Justin De Leon’s defining title. The work behind it is plain and demanding: thick, caramelized Detroit-style pies, classic New York slices, and a signature square pizza shaped by the same hands that make the dough and sauce.
The Honours
Founder is the title that carries the weight. De Leon’s standing comes from a Los Angeles pizzeria built around his own pizza-making, not a detached formula handed off to others. That control is central to how he understands the work. He believes his pizza would not be the same if someone else made his dough or sauce, a philosophy that puts the foundation of the pie—fermentation, texture, balance, and finish—inside the daily craft rather than outside it. The signature square pizza is described as creating a distinctive pizza experience at the restaurant. Its importance is not merely shape; it is the square as a complete expression of his approach, from the dough beneath it to the sauce that finishes it.
The Craft
At the counter, De Leon’s range runs in two directions: thick, caramelized Detroit-style pies and classic New York slices. The contrast is significant: each style asks for a different kind of precision, one built on height and edge, the other on fold, balance, and immediacy. He has perfected both round and square pies at the restaurant. The round pie carries the familiar directness of the slice shop; the square pie leans into structure, caramelization, and the particular experience that has become part of his name in Los Angeles pizza. The dining space reflects the same compact, personal scale. De Leon has described it this way: "It's a little more intimate, shoulder to shoulder. It allows a lot more people to experience our space as a mom and pop, small intimate neighborhood."
The Career
Pizza has held De Leon’s attention since his first job at age 13. That early pull eventually became a full change of direction: he transitioned from photography to pizza-making on a shoestring budget. In 2012, he was pizzaiolo at Apollonia’s Pizzeria. The role places him at the oven and bench, where the practical work of pizza is measured in dough, sauce, bake, and repetition. From that path came the founder’s role he holds today. The through-line is direct: a first job that started the attachment, a turn away from photography, a working pizzaiolo’s discipline, and a Los Angeles shop known for both square and round pies.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Justin
What is Justin De Leon's current role?
Justin De Leon is founder of Apollonia’s Pizzeria in Los Angeles, United States.
What awards has Justin De Leon received?
No specific award has been named for Justin De Leon.
What is Justin De Leon's most notable recognition?
His most notable recognition is founding the pizzeria and developing its signature square pizza.
