By Jackie HOUCHIN

Shara Babakhanian and Armond Tarverdyan say diners will be in “seventh heaven” when eating at their All In 7-Stop Pizza in Montrose because they’ve given it 100% (“all in”) to make their pizzas the best in town. What makes their pizzas so special? The thin, tender, sesame seed-coated crusts made from scratch in their own kitchen.

“They’re healthy,” said one dad picking up a huge take-out order. “Not so gooey and heavy like the other places. My kids love them.”

Since opening on Nov. 5, 2010, many items have been added to the hand-chalked menu-board behind the counter such as barbecue and hot wings, burgers, Katlet (Armenian burgers), sandwiches and three specialty combo-pizzas. A popular treat is a Nutella and fresh fruit dessert pizza, a not-too-sweet, cookie-like dessert.

Tarverdyan admits they also have off-the-menu items that are advertised only on their Facebook page or by word of mouth.

The pizzas come with a generous portion of Ranch dressing and jalapeños; the sandwiches and wings with plenty of fries. Everything is prepared fresh daily often using secret family recipes.

The concept originated in Tehran, where Babakhanian’s father, Vartan, opened the only pizzeria in the city featuring the thin, sesame-seeded crusts favored in the Middle East. In 2000, the family moved to the U.S. and opened a 7-Stop Pizza in Glendale. Last year Babakhanian senior handed over the Montrose location to his son and said, “Go for it!” The younger Babakhanian asked his friend Tarverdyan to join him and together they devised a business plan and began serving pizza.

All In 7-Stop Pizza is just outside Old Town Montrose so the friends work hard to be noticed using flyers, social media hype, free nearby deliveries (by bicycle) and by participating in local fundraisers and events including the Taste of Montrose benefitting CVHS Prom Plus held in May.

Located at 2623½ Honolulu Ave., All In 7-Stop can be reached at (818) 249-9777.

  7 STOP PIZZA, Between Friends, Jackie Houchin, JUNE 16