TIPPING OUR STRAW HAT… TO A 908 INSTITUTION

By John Grossi

Photos by Izzy Juarez

Deborah (left) & Denise (right) opened up Straw Hat Pizza on Spring Street in 1991

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more quintessential East Long Beach establishment than Straw Hat Pizza on Spring Street. Owned by Deborah Morris and Denise Jongarius, both Millikan grads, Straw Hat has been a staple of the community since the franchise opened in 1991.

The menu is delicious, classic, and proven.  

“Our menu is probably too big, but it’s just because everything is so good,” says Deborah. Her favorites are the hot sandwiches, which come with fries and a pickle.

From their appetizers like the “groovy twists,” to MasterPizzas (my favorite being the California Veggie), salad bar, and ever-evolving offerings like the newer gluten-free cauliflower crust, there is something for everyone, for lunch and dinner, at Straw Hat.

New Item: Gluten-Free Pizza with Cauliflower Crust

But dependable pizza is just part of what has made Straw Hat Pizza so popular for over three decades. Their real secret sauce? A deep understanding of the community and being fully part of it. Deborah and Denise not only grew up in East Long Beach, they live less than a mile away, hire local students, and most importantly, have dedicated their lives to serving up just what their community needs: An old-school, friendly, simple parlor where EVERYONE is welcome.

Welcoming 

It’s one thing to say “everyone is welcome,” it’s another to provide the space that means it. In the heart of a family neighborhood, Straw Hat Pizza has used their 80 restaurant seats, and additional 100 banquet room seating, to welcome tens of thousands of school groups, teams, families, and residents of all walks of life to share their triumphs and enjoy community.

The Banquet (Team Party) Room seats up to 100 people

It's one thing to say "everyone is welcome," it's another to provide the space that means it... When you're with a big group and wondering where to go the answer can always be Straw Hat.

The Game Room takes quarters!

After little league games, soccer tournaments, school plays and band concerts, the banquet room is buzzing with parents recapping performances while kids run to and from the arcade games and redemption desk showing off their prizes. Kids of all ages love the game room and the real model train circulating around the restaurant, while parents love that the game room still takes quarters, just like they remember as kids.

Lots of space, communal tables, kids’ games, high-chairs, sports on TVs, a clean restaurant, and a bright atmosphere; it all adds up to a welcoming space for all comers. When you’re with a big group and wondering where to go, the answer can always be Straw Hat.

“One of the things we really take pride in is serving our food fast,” says Deborah, “I hate waiting around for food, so we always get orders started quick.”

Dedicated To The Community

Over 30 years of service, Deborah and Denise have seen economic booms. They have also endured many challenges, everything from riots, to recessions, to the pandemic. Through it all, they’ve never stopped supporting community teams and the groups that support them. Most importantly, they’ve never stopped being the heart and pulse of the restaurant. To this day, they do everything they ask their employees to do, from rolling dough, to washing dishes, to cleaning the tables and chairs.

Just like the timeless old-school photos that adorn the walls, Deborah and Denise have discovered that some things never go out of style: hard work, friendliness, and community.

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Straw Hat Pizza

6522 E. Spring Street | Long Beach, CA

(562) 421-4491 | Order Online: strawhatpizza.com