Hong Kong-Inspired Pizzeria Opening Soon in Lakewood

Denver’s got a lot of pizza options, but the metro area’s only Hong Kong-inspired pizzeria will soon join the scene. Metro Pie Pizza is aiming for a grand opening on February 20 in Lakewood.

Anyone who’s driven by the corner of Wadsworth Boulevard and West Ninth Avenue in the past few months has likely spotted the red double-decker bus next to the future home of Metro Pie Pizza. The bus houses Red Bus Coffee, which debuted in October and is owned by Alice Choi. Her parents, Ricky and Anna Choi, are the owners of the pizzeria and together, the businesses form what the family has dubbed Red Line Station.

They hope the corner will become “a community hub where people are encouraged to gather, spend time and connect,” according to an announcement of the upcoming opening. As part of that effort, the Chois plans to launch a Hong Kong-style night market on the property this summer, complete with street food, arts and goods from local vendors.

“At its heart, this project is about bringing people together,” says Ricky Choi. “We wanted to create something familiar that still reflects who we are, our background, our family and our desire to build a space where people feel welcome spending time.”

What Is Metro Pie Pizza?

Described as a fast-casual brick-oven pizzeria, the concept was inspired by “the nostalgic energy of old school Hong Kong metro culture,” the announcement notes, as well as Ricky’s upbringing in Hong Kong, where he attended culinary school.

It will serve full pies for a flat price, with a build-your-own model. There will also be a collection of signature pies and rotating specialty pizzas inspired by Asian flavors. The goal is to “reflect how pizza across Asia is often reimagined in creative and unexpected ways.”

Ricky brings decades of hospitality experience to the project — over a forty-year career, he has owned and operated several Asian-inspired restaurants as well as a steakhouse, and he plans for this concept to be his last as he prepares for retirement.

The only other eateries in the immediate area around Red Line Station are Pupuasa Paradise #2 and…another pizza spot, Big Daddy’s Pizza and Bar, which is located right next door to Metro Pie Pizza’s future home. That local chain was founded by Matthew Mino, who now operates only the Littleton outpost as well as pizza and sandwich spot Phatt Matt’s, which he opened in December.

The Lakewood Big Daddy’s outpost operates independently, and its reviews are not great, with a 3.7 rating on Google and 2.4 stars on Yelp. The Choi family’s new venture should fare far better with the local community, and we’re particularly excited to see how Red Line Station’s night market comes together.

Metro Pie Pizza will be located at 890 Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood. For more information and updates about its opening, follow @metropiepizza on Instagram.