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Los Feliz’s Iconic House of Pies Diner Could Be Expanding Again Soon

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A story out on the former chain restaurant sheds new light

Outside House of Pies, Los Feliz.
Outside House of Pies, Los Feliz.
Photo: Patrick - msigarmy.com
Farley Elliott is the Senior Editor at Eater LA and the author of Los Angeles Street Food: A History From Tamaleros to Taco Trucks. He covers restaurants in every form, from breaking news to the culture, people, and history that surrounds LA's dining landscape.

One of LA’s most iconic homes for diner staples and pie could be expanding soon, as Los Feliz’s beloved House of Pies seeks to add a second location well out west in Venice. A future location in Glendale is also planned.

The semi-surprising Venice news come buried in a new profile from the Los Feliz Ledger, who mostly spend time discussing the onetime Southern California chain’s past as a diner contender with outlets spanning across the country. As has been discussed before, a 1971 lawsuit from several franchisees brought the overall company to its knees, forcing closures one by one until Los Feliz remained the only location left. At one time, there were nearly three dozen House of Pies outlets across just the Southland.

Now current House of Pies owner Victor Watana tells the Ledger that he envisions bringing the House of Pies name back, at least in some limited ways. Watana has owned the restaurant since 2007 and has had loose plans to expand to a corner space at Venice in Lincoln since at least 2011 or 2012, but in the new Ledger feature he says an opening in November is possible. Eater reached out to Watana by phone and over email to discuss, but so far has not heard back.

The possible House of Pies in Venice
Coscia Day

Meanwhile, there are some years-old renderings for what the future House of Pies could look like, per the architecture firm on record, Coscia Day. Reps for Coscia say that work is being done on the Venice site now but it’s all been hampered by the recent rains. A future location in Glendale is also viewable on the architecture firm’s website, though it’s unclear exactly where that will happen.

Meanwhile, Watana remains busy owning and operating not only the nearly 50-year-old House of Pies, but also Natalee Thai. Got more info on what’s to come? Hit the tipline, anonymity guaranteed.

Update: This story has been updated to add news of a future Glendale location, as well as a rendering for the Venice location.

House of Pies Venice. 1020 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.