RANCE’S CHICAGO PIZZA Belmont Shore Grand Opening

Rance’s Chicago Pizza, an award-winning pizzeria in Costa Mesa, will celebrate its second location in Belmont Shore on Saturday, January 28 by offering 50% off pizzas from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and after, 50% of sales will go to the Community Action Team (CAT), a Long Beach nonprofit spearheaded by longtime activist Justin Rudd that seeks to improve the city through a wide range of events.

Owners Aaron Tofani and Rance Ruiz met in the 3rd grade and their friendship has endured for 24 years thanks to the yin/yang nature of their relationship.  While Ruiz manages daily operations, Tofani runs the business side of company. Their flagship 57-seat eatery in Costa Mesa, became something of a sensation when it opened with rave reviews and lines around the block. 

“We are excited to join the Belmont Shore community and look forward to having our grand opening benefit Long Beach where we both live, work and play,” said Tofani. Added Ruiz, “Benefiting CAT was a natural extension of our brand that seeks to enhance the communities in which we serve.”

Named “best pizza” at the recent Golden Foodie Awards, Rance’s Chicago Pizza, offers three styles pies: stuffed, pan and tavern. The stuffed style consists of a layer of house-made dough filled with high-quality cheeses and the guest’s choice of ingredients.  It is then covered with an ultra-thin blanket layer of dough to seal in all the flavors and then topped in Rance’s zesty tomato sauce.  The stuffed pie takes about 45 minutes to cook from start to finish.

Rance’s Pan Pizza is its signature item and uses a slightly thicker, richer dough than the stuffed version.  The delicious mixture is placed in a seasoned deep-dish pan and topped with the guest’s choice of ingredients along with a generous amount of Wisconsin mozzarella and zesty tomato sauce with gentle sprinkle of pecorino. The pan pie also takes about 45 minutes to cook from start to finish.

The simplest option is the thin crust Tavern-style pizza, which is layered with Rance’s signature sauce, topped with the guest’s pick of ingredients and covered with fresh cheese. This pie takes 30 minutes to prepare.

Rance’s also offers deep dish by the slice for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with discounted slice and drink specials.

Rounding out the menu are distinctly Italian appetizers like meatballs and marinara, garlic cheese sticks, artichoke dip and bruschetta topped with fresh, diced tomatoes, garlic pesto, feta cheese and sliced red onions. Among the salads are a Caesar, spinach, caprese, antipasto and house. Rance’s offers 30 specialty beers on tap and a variety of wines by the glass or bottle.

Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.

5258 E 2nd St. in Long Beach. 562.786.5566.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to Sunday to Thursday. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

1420 Baker St. in Suite B in Costa Mesa. 714.708.2143.