LA Food News, Pizza Wisdom and the Content Machine with Alex Koons (Hot Tongue); Craveability and Building an Empire with Lawrence Longo (Prince Street Pizza, Irv’s)
LA Food News, Pizza Wisdom and the Content Machine with Alex Koons (Hot Tongue); Craveability and Building an Empire with Lawrence Longo (Prince Street Pizza, Irv’s)  
Podcast: The LA Food Podcast
Published On: Fri Aug 21 2026
Description: Hot Tongue Pizza owner Alex Koons joins Luca as guest co-host for a pizza-heavy tour of the LA food scene, from Queens, Cacao Mexicatessen and FurnSaj to Bar 109’s Michelin-starred burger, fried pizza at Pizzeria Sei and the prospect of paying $4,000 for pasta for life. Be sure to check out his show, Fast Casual, by the way!Then restaurateur Lawrence Longo tells the incredible story of going from elite hockey player and Hollywood assistant to building an empire that includes Prince Street Pizza, Irv’s Burgers, Bar Next Door, Henry’s Secret Ice Cream, Tenderfest and Burgers Never Say Die. Longo reveals how a Sean Avery street fight helped bring Prince Street to Los Angeles, why its first LA pop-up caused two car crashes, how he revived Irv’s, why he turned down venture capital and why LA may now be America’s best pizza city.Plus, the rise and fall of Off the Menu, the one-craveable-item theory of restaurant success, the brutal economics of operating in Los Angeles and an exclusive announcement for Irv’s Burgers’ 80th birthday.Tickets to Pizza Run & Walk Club: Silver LakeTickets to Taqueando After Dark