Modder’s Pop-up Jamaican Style Pizzas
On a recent day at the busy corner of Pico Boulevard and La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles, a spontaneous yet carefully organized community gathering unfolded that reflected the evolving food, art, and cultural landscape of Mid-City. At 4972 W. Pico Blvd., a well-known Black-owned New York–style pizzeria became the setting for a pop-up collaboration that drew neighbors, creatives, and longtime supporters into a shared public moment centered on food, local enterprise, and cultural expression.
The event was anchored by a partnership between Nehemiah Anderson, also known as Westside Five, and the shop’s proprietor, Esteban “Esco” Gutierrez. Together, they introduced a limited pop-up menu under the banner of Modder’s Kitchen, blending traditional New York pizza with Jamaican-inspired flavors. Two specialty offerings defined the collaboration: jerk chicken pizza and oxtail pizza. These items combined the familiar format of oversized New York slices with seasoning profiles more commonly associated with Caribbean cooking, creating a fusion that resonated with attendees without departing from the pizzeria’s core identity.
The location itself is already a recognized neighborhood fixture. Founded by Harlem native Esteban Gutierrez, the pizzeria has built its reputation on authentic New York–style pizza, emphasizing thin, crispy crusts and generously sized slices. Gutierrez brings more than 20 years of experience rooted in his father’s New York pizzeria, and that lineage is central to the shop’s appeal. For many patrons—particularly former East Coast residents—the taste and presentation closely match what they remember from New York City. This consistency has helped the business earn a loyal following in Mid-City Los Angeles.
Beyond pizza, the shop offers a broad menu that includes wings, salads, customizable calzones, and desserts such as
Nutella knots, which are frequently cited by customers as a standout item. Vegan options are a notable part of the menu, with clearly labeled plant-based slices such as vegan Margherita, Veggie, and Pesto Cheese. These pizzas use vegan cheese sourced from local providers like Vromage, reinforcing the business’s emphasis on local partnerships and inclusive dining options.
The Pico and La Brea location is known not only for its food but also for its atmosphere. The interior features New York–inspired decor, including a Knicks-themed logo and design elements that reference subway cars in some areas. While there is limited indoor and outdoor seating, the shop is widely regarded as a takeout-friendly spot where customers often interact directly with Gutierrez himself. His visible presence and engagement with patrons are frequently mentioned in local and social media posts as part of what makes the establishment feel personal and community oriented.
That sense of community was amplified during the pop-up event. Alongside the food collaboration, the gathering featured on-the-spot apparel printing by Taylor’s Tees, producing shirts and caps for attendees in real time. Sleep Dawg’s classic artistic designs were also present, adding a visual and cultural layer to the event. Together, these elements transformed the corner of Pico and La Brea into more than a food stop; it became a temporary outdoor showcase for local creativity and small business collaboration.
According to posts and images shared on social media, the turnout included a broad cross-section of the neighborhood, with people stopping by for slices, conversation, and merchandise. The event unfolded without formal staging or ticketing, reinforcing its open, accessible nature. Music, casual conversation, and foot traffic contributed to an atmosphere that resembled a block-level celebration rather than a conventional promotional event.
In 2025, the business continues to operate as a Black-, Latino-, and woman-owned enterprise, with Gutierrez partnered with entrepreneur Aryn Drake-Lee. The shop is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and offers dine-in, takeout, and catering services. Popular menu items include Margherita and pepperoni slices, typically priced around six dollars, as well as specialty offerings like white clam pizza finished with fresh lemon. Orders can be placed in person or through online platforms such as Slice and the shop’s official website.
Events like the Modder’s Kitchen pop-up reflect how the pizzeria positions itself beyond a standard food business. By hosting local collaborations and welcoming artists, designers, and chefs into the space, the shop reinforces its role as a neighborhood hub. Social media reactions to the Pico and La Brea gathering highlighted appreciation for both the food and the sense of collective presence, with particular attention given to the jerk chicken and oxtail pizzas as well as the opportunity to support multiple local brands at once.
At its core, the gathering demonstrated how a single corner in Mid-City Los Angeles can serve as a meeting point for culinary tradition, cultural fusion, and community engagement. Without speculation or exaggeration, the event reflected what the pizzeria has consistently aimed to provide: authentic food, open doors, and a space where local partnerships are not an exception but part of the everyday rhythm of the neighborhood.
BTW. In the spirit of Stevie Wonder’s Bus Full of Toys, the brothers placed a cap on the spirit of Christmas. These young entrepreneurs stepped up their game, one more leg up, sponsoring a walk-up toy giveaway, dubbed “Table Full of Toys.” These young fellas thought of every little thing. Keep up the good work.
