La Vista Pizza & Chicken is now open

La Vista Pizza & Chicken is open Monday-Saturday from 11am to 8pm. (Photos by BEA CABRERA)

La Vista Pizza & Chicken located along Beach Road in Chalan Piao across Bank of Guam is your new go-to place when it comes to delicious pizza and mouth-watering fried chicken. After traveling the world, owner Eugene Hong believes that you can’t go wrong with the combination of pizza and chicken because these are international favorites.

“La Vista used to serve Korean- and Chinese-style food. When I took over, I also thought about serving real traditional Korean-style dishes but realized there are too many of them that are already here and I cannot compete with them. So I thought, what is the next best thing that people on Saipan love? Pizza and chicken,” he said.

“There is no doubt that everyone loves pizza and chicken—young, old, man, woman, etc. and on Saipan where cultural diversity is prominent, no matter where you are from, you know pizza and chicken… that is why I chose this menu,” he added.

Originally from Korea, Hong left for the U.S. in 1989 and took with him knowledge and experience in working at his friend’s pizza shop in Korea. “I was hoping one day I would have my own pizza place but through those years, I owned a bar in Queens, New York and when I came to Saipan 12 years ago to start a new life, I went into the boating industry and operated ‘Jambalaya’ boating services,” he said.

“Due to the pandemic, we don’t have tourists and the boating business remained still and this is when I thought of going back to what I wanted to do—to open a pizza restaurant. After 30 years, here I am,” he added.

La Vista Pizza is unique from other pizza places on Saipan because of its sweet potato edge. “Instead of cheese or potato, I am using sweet potato that is readily available in the CNMI. Aside from taste and texture, the sweet potato edge gives a slice of pizza another flavor—a sweet one that helps cleanse your palate so your taste buds can be ready for another slice… we put it on a hot plate so our pizza stays fresh and warm until the last bite,” Hong said

“Our fried chicken is Korean style—crispy, flavorful, and juicy… Our sauce, herbs, and spices come from Korea…both pizza and chicken are easy to eat and with our pizza toppings and different chicken flavors, it’s definitely filling,” Hong added.

Affordability is also one of La Vista Pizza & Chicken’s main attraction. One medium pizza (eight slices) goes for only $15 and sweet potato edge pizza is only $20. Toppings include Supreme, pepperoni, cheese-lover’s, meat- lover’s, Hawaiian, Vegetarian Delight, Chicken Pizza, La Vista Combo, Saipan Special, and Fisherman Supreme.

One whole chicken is only $20 and half is only $10. Flavors include Crunch Fried Chicken, Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken, Seasoning Chicken, Curry Fried Chicken, and Spicy Chicken.

“We also have snacks available like our Homemade Burger, Walnut & Black Bean Ball (10 pcs), Cheese Ball, Hodduk (Korean black sugar hot cake), waffle (with ice cream or chocolate), red bean shave ice, and French fries all below $6. Future plans include adding bento and porridge [meals],” Hong said.

“We had a soft-opening in Jan. 12 and we hope that people will come and try La Vista Pizza and Chicken. We are continuously improving our food items and menu… we accept private parties and celebrations …we are open for dine-in, take-out and once we get our permit to offer delivery service, we will do that as well..,” Hong added.

La Vista Pizza & Chicken is open Monday-Saturday from 11am to 8pm. For more information, call (670) 235-9292.