The food court at Tysons Corner Center has a new dining option for shoppers looking to chow down on some ‘za.
My Own Pizza opened a stall in the mall’s third-floor food court about three weeks ago, filling a vacant space next to California Tortilla. The new location is the first expansion for the business outside of its flagship restaurant at Federal Center Plaza (400 C Street SW) in D.C.
Specializing in New York-style pizza, the restaurant was inspired by the small family pizzerias and Italian cafes that owner Peter Tabibian grew up with, according to My Own Pizza’s website.
When talking about My Own Pizza, Tabibian emphasizes its use of “very high-quality ingredients” and an on-site brick oven, rather than a metal oven with a conveyer belt.
“Business is booming,” Tabibian told FFXnow. “This is as close as you can get to New York pizza. We’ve been getting a really good response.”
The menu includes cheese and pepperoni pizzas, along with specialty options like Hawaiian. Slices can be purchased on their own or in combos with a soft drink.
Tabibian and his business partner, Kevin Ejtemai, also own the Persian restaurant Maman Joon, which opened a Tysons Corner Center location in April.
Still to come for the pair is a Z-Burger in Vienna. The burger and milkshake joint will be located at 541 Maple Avenue West in a former Pizza Hut.
Ejtemai says the team has been “working diligently” to open the new location, which will be Z-Burger’s fourth in Virginia after additions in McLean, Alexandria and Arlington. The permitting process has been a challenge, in part because they need to deal with both Fairfax County and the Town of Vienna, but he estimates the restaurant could be ready to open in about 30 days.