A new pizza joint and neighborhood hangout is now open in Houston’s Second Ward. Pinballz Pizzeria is a new concept from Henderson & Kane General Store co-founder and pitmaster John Avila III, entrepreneur Jon Shaw and César Aguila, who brings his business acumen to the project after 25 years in retail management with a Fortune 500 company. Located at 2240 Navigation, the family-friendly eatery hopes to charm the neighborhood that Avila grew up in with comforting Italian-American specialties and signature pies. 

To celebrate the opening, on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, guests can grab 10-inch pies and a free pasta side for just five bucks with purchase of any large pie. Build your own pizza by choosing from toppings such as crispy pepperoni cups or chopped pepperoni, bacon, ham, caramelized onions, ricotta and more on your choice of sauce and four-cheese blend.

The kitchen focuses on making items from scratch using locally sourced ingredients, an ethos that has made Henderson & Kane a beloved fixture in the Houston restaurant scene.

“We’re not just tossing dough—we’re celebrating Second Ward,” says Avila via a press release. “You’ll taste that in everything we do, from our chorizo and cheese stuffed-crust pizza to our fresh take of the ever-so-taboo ingredient; pineapple on our ‘Trompo Pizza’ to our handmade sauces and our house-made dough. Every slice is a tribute to the people and flavors that made us.”

In addition to pizza, guests can kick hunger to the curb with an order of spaghetti or chicken fettuccine Alfredo, garlic bread and two-handed subs like The Pinball loaded with “Meatballz” and marinara sauce with a four-cheese blend and fresh basil or the San Gennaro with Italian sausage and grilled veggies topped with a four-cheese blend. Subs are served on toasted hoagie rolls. Bone-in wings are available by the half dozen tossed in your choice of Buffalo sauce, barbecue or lemon pepper.

The restaurant’s vibes are lighthearted and fun, with Avila citing Big Humphrey’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, which had an East End location in the 1970s that he frequented as a child, as an influence. It harkens back to “simpler times” with “ a retro flair that’s fun-spirited, lighthearted, and family-friendly, with late-night pies and a full-service bar coming soon.”

Pinballz will offer the same welcoming hospitality that the Big Humphrey’s founder Jasper Vitale was famous for until his passing in 2013. It will also be open relatively late, until 10 p.m. during the week and midnight on Saturday. An almost universally loved meal, having a local pizza option will undoubtedly draw in some of the lively EaDo bar crowd and foot traffic from nearby Cidercade Houston.

Pinballz Pizzeria is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Don’t forget to add a chocolate chip cannoli to your order!

Mario-Sebastian Berry

Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits vendor who has been in the hospitality industry since 2002. Currently, he represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. He holds numerous wine, beer and spirits certifications including Certified Sommelier. Somehow, he also finds time to be Houston Food Finder’s associate editor and social media manager.