Pizza Buona is a family-run pizza parlor on the corner of Sunset and Alvarado in historic Echo Park. Because the restaurant rests on such a busy street, it does have a graffiti-ridden urban vibe, but its pizza is a staple of the neighborhood. Pizza Buona melds the hearty nature of Chicago deep-dish pizza with East Coast taste and tradition. It also serves a variety of pastas, soups and hot sandwiches if you're not in the mood for pizza. The minestrone, a classic Italian soup, is perfect for a chilly winter night. Pizza Buona doesn't accept credit cards, so make sure you have some cash before you go.