The founders of Izzo’s Illegal Burrito are opening Lit Pizza, a fast-casual concept that will feature the same build-your-own style that has been successful for the Baton Rouge-based burrito chain.
The first location of Lit Pizza will open this summer in the space formerly occupied by Zocalisa Fine Chocolates and Gelato at 3930 Burbank Drive in the Southgate Shopping Center. Ozzie Fernandez, co-founder of Izzo’s and Lit Pizza, says the renovation plans are being reviewed by the city-parish right now, and construction should take about 65 days once approval is secured.
Lit Pizza will offer guests the ability to create an 11-inch pizza from scratch by choosing the dough, cheese, locally sourced vegetables and meats. Lit Pizza will feature vegetables from some of the same local producers who work with Izzo’s.
The pizza will be cooked in a wood-fired oven that can reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit. The name Lit Pizza is an ode to the use of wood to heat the oven and cook the pizza, Fernandez says.
Prices will start at $6 for a cheese pizza and $8 for unlimited toppings.
The menu will also feature 10 signature pizzas, such as the Easy Caprese pizza with basil, buffalo mozzarella, fresh olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze; and the Localite with local Andouille sausage, jalapeños and hot sauce. The menu will also feature grab-and-go salads, fresh-squeezed lemonade and craft beer on tap.
“Lit was created based on our belief that everyone should be able to create their own pizza with no rules and limitless options,” Fernandez says in a statement.
In a phone interview this afternoon, Fernandez says he and fellow co-founder Gary Kovacs have been mulling over the Lit Pizza concept for about a year. Fernandez’s first job out of culinary school was making pizzas, so the Italian pies have a strong place in his heart.
The duo has plans to open two to three more Lit Pizza locations in the Baton Rouge area. They are also finalizing deals for more Izzo’s locations, and Fernandez revealed there is a very high probability that one upcoming development will feature an Izzo’s on one end and a Lit Pizza on the other.
Fernandez and Kovacs opened their first Izzo’s in 2001 by the south gates of LSU and currently have 17 locations in Louisiana and Mississippi.
—Ryan Broussard
