Torterelli’s Spins Artistic Pizzas

Torterelli's, home of the big dough and bigger smiles.

While Jeff Tortorelli is a liturgical artist, nationally known for creating beautiful furnishings for churches and cathedrals, his son Nick is fast becoming a well-known local pizza artisan as owner of Tortorelli’s pizzeria on Foothill in San Dimas.

Opened last April, Tortorelli’s offers delicious, hand-tossed pizzas, using locally produced deli meats and vegetables.

“Our pizza is the best in the west because we use the freshest ingredients,” says Nick, also a local product who graduated from San Dimas High School in 1999.

Although Nick grew up around a kitchen table filled with popular Italian fare, such as spaghetti, ravioli, linguini, lasagna and antipasti salad — all items on his menu — he didn’t think he’d be making his living in the kitchen. At Cal State Monterey Bay, he majored in social and behavioral science. After graduation, he gravitated toward his father’s business, specializing in wrought iron work. Business was good until the real estate market sank faster than a yeastless pizza, and clients were more worried about making their next mortgage payment than enhancing their homes with the beauty of wrought iron.

After a short stint in sales, he and his finance, Sara Blackwell, decided to take the money they had set aside for their wedding and invest in starting a pizzeria. The former Matteo’s at the southeast corner of Foothill and San Dimas Canyon was up for sale, and Nick successfully negotiated to buy the equipment and furnishings and take over the lease.

After hanging up his new sign, building a new bar and re-painting the place, Tortorelli’s has been winning over customers one pizza, pasta dish or sandwich at a time.

Local Realtor Chris MacAulay is a frequent customer. “I’m from Boston, so I really appreciate a local pizzeria, where the food is delicious, authentic and the menu is reasonably priced.”

Doing business in the community, Nick is reconnecting with many friends and acquaintances. “That’s the best part,” says Nick. “I’ve met so many incredible people over the last year. That’s what I love most about the restaurant business – meeting great people and developing new friendships.”

Great food, great people, great prices.

Tortorelli’s, open Tuesday through Sunday, is located at 714 E. Foothill in San Dimas in the Chozen Karate shopping plaza. For take-out or dine information, call (909) 599-8428. Also, click on LaVerneOnline’s front-page Coupon Button for money-saving coupons.

Nick prepares to flip an extra large pizza one more time.