Godfather’s Pizza and Big Lou’s Pizza both have serious followings in San Antonio — but for completely different reasons. One’s famous for making the biggest pizzas in the city. The other’s famous for bringing back a brand people hadn’t tasted in 35 years. Here’s how they actually stack up when you’re deciding where to order tonight.
The Basics: Who Are These Two?
Big Lou’s Pizza has been a San Antonio institution since May 2000. Owner Brian Lujan and his mother Judith opened on the southeast side at 2048 S. W.W. White Road, and they’ve been there ever since. Brian’s father — “Pops” — designed the custom pizza pans, including the 42-inch behemoth that put Big Lou’s on the map. They’ve been featured on Food Network’s Man vs. Food, Travel Channel’s Food Paradise, and they’ve won “best pizza” recognition from the San Antonio Express-News, SA Magazine, The Current, and CultureMap. Twenty-six years in the same spot, one location, and a loyal southside following that doesn’t mess around.
Godfather’s Pizza reopened on San Antonio’s west side in 2025 — a Veteran-owned franchise at 8530 SH 151 Access Rd, bringing back a brand that disappeared from the city in the late ’80s. We’ve got five crust options, a specialty menu built around the pizzas people remember (plus a few they don’t), and a focus on delivery, pickup, and catering. If you want the full story, our comeback story covers the 35-year gap and what brought us back.
Two very different operations. One’s a 26-year neighborhood legend. The other’s a comeback story still writing its first chapter. Both are making real pizza.
The Pizza: Size vs. Style
This is where the two restaurants diverge the most.
Big Lou’s is all about size. Their pizza comes in seven sizes — 10″, 12″, 14″, 16″, 20″, 37″, and the legendary 42-inch pie. That 42-incher isn’t a gimmick — it’s a genuine feed-a-party pizza that people drive across town for. Their crust is hand-tossed New York-influenced style, and the toppings are straightforward: fresh vegetables, house-made sauces, and generous portions. Specialty options include BBQ Brisket, The Big Texan, White Pizza, and Hot & Spicy Deluxe. They also carry a full Italian menu — pasta dinners, calzones, sandwiches, and salads.
Godfather’s is about crust variety and signature flavors. Our five crust options — Original (thick, chewy), Golden (buttery pan-baked), Thin, Mozzarella Loaded, and Gluten-Free — give you range that Big Lou’s doesn’t match. The Taco Pie is our signature — taco sauce, seasoned beef, cheddar, lettuce, and tomatoes added fresh after baking. Nothing else in San Antonio tastes like it. Our pizza sizes max out at large, but we make up for it with crust options and specialty combinations.
In short: Big Lou’s lets you go enormous. Godfather’s lets you dial in exactly how you want your crust and toppings. Both approaches have their place.
Menu and Pricing
Here’s how the numbers compare. Check our full menu for exact Godfather’s pricing.
| Godfather’s Pizza | Big Lou’s Pizza | |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty Pizza (Large) | $34.50 | $14.99–$31.99 (varies by size, 10″–16″) |
| Build Your Own (Large, 1 topping) | $24.75 | $12.99 (10″) to $82.99 (42″) |
| Crust Options | 5 (Original, Golden, Thin, Mozza-Loaded, GF) | Hand-tossed, Pan (max 2 toppings) |
| Pizza Sizes | Small, Medium, Large | 10″, 12″, 14″, 16″, 20″, 37″, 42″ |
| Wings | $16.49–$26.49 | $12.99–$128.99 (up to 11 dozen) |
| Pasta | Not on menu | Lasagna, Spaghetti, Chicken Parm |
| Sandwiches | Not on menu | Italian Sub, Philly Cheesesteak, more |
| Salads | Side, Garden, Chicken BLT, Italian Chef | Garden, Summer, Caesar |
| Desserts | Monkey Bread, Streusels, Cookie | Cannoli, Brownies, Cheesecake |
| Catering | Yes — Pizza Packs, Feasts, custom | Not a primary focus |
On price: Big Lou’s standard sizes (10″–16″) run cheaper per pizza than Godfather’s. A 16″ one-topping at Big Lou’s is around $17–$18, while a Godfather’s large one-topping is $24.75. But when you scale up for groups, Godfather’s Pizza Pack — four large one-topping pizzas for $75.00 — is hard to beat on a per-slice basis.
On menu breadth: Big Lou’s wins. They carry pasta dinners, sandwiches, wraps, and flatbreads that Godfather’s doesn’t. If someone at the table doesn’t want pizza, Big Lou’s gives them more options. If everyone’s there for pizza and pizza only, Godfather’s five crust options give you more ways to customize the main event.
Location and Delivery
Both restaurants are single-location operations, and they’re on opposite sides of the city.
Big Lou’s is at 2048 S. W.W. White Road on the southeast side — roughly 15 minutes south of downtown. If you’re near Brooks, Southside, or the SE Military corridor, Big Lou’s is your neighborhood spot. They primarily serve dine-in and takeout — this is a place you go to, not a place that comes to you.
Godfather’s is at 8530 SH 151 Access Rd on the west side — close to Westover Hills, Sea World, Helotes, Leon Valley, and JBSA-Lackland. We deliver through our own system and the major apps, and we’re built around delivery and pickup as much as dine-in. Check our delivery areas for coverage.
The gap: These two restaurants serve almost completely different halves of San Antonio. If you’re on the west side, Godfather’s is close and Big Lou’s is a 30-minute drive. If you’re on the southeast side, the reverse is true. For most people, geography will make the decision for you on a weeknight.
The Experience
This matters more than people think.
Big Lou’s is a destination. You go there for the atmosphere — the massive pizzas coming out of the kitchen, the walls covered in media features, the energy of a restaurant that’s been a neighborhood anchor for 26 years. When your 42-inch pizza arrives on a custom platter, phones come out. It’s an event. Big Lou’s is the place you take out-of-town visitors, the place you go for a birthday spectacle, the place your kids will remember.
Godfather’s is built for convenience. Counter service, fast pickup, reliable delivery. The dining room is casual and no-frills — you’re here for the pizza, not the Instagram moment. But the Veteran-owned story and the 35-year comeback give it character, and regulars who remember the brand from the ’80s treat it like a homecoming every time they walk in.
Different energy. Both genuine. Big Lou’s is a show. Godfather’s is a habit.
Catering: Different Strengths
Godfather’s is built for catering. Pizza Packs, Build Your Own Feasts, transparent pricing, and a system designed to handle everything from a 15-person office lunch to a 100-person graduation party. We handle birthday parties, school events, corporate lunches, and more. If you need pizza for a group, this is what we do — check our catering packages for specifics.
Big Lou’s can feed a crowd — obviously, a single 42-inch pizza feeds 15+ people — but they’re not set up as a catering operation in the same way. Their strength is the in-restaurant experience: bring your group to Big Lou’s, order the big pie, and make a night of it. For off-site catering with delivery and setup, Godfather’s has the edge.
So Which One Should You Pick?
Try both. Seriously. They’re making different pizza for different occasions, and San Antonio has room for both.
Go with Godfather’s if you want: five crust options to dial in exactly what you’re craving, the Taco Pie (nothing else like it), fast delivery or pickup on the west side, straightforward catering with transparent pricing, or a Pizza Pack to feed the family without overthinking it. Browse our most popular pizzas to start.
Go with Big Lou’s if you want: the spectacle of a 42-inch pizza, a full Italian menu with pasta and sandwiches alongside your pie, a destination dining experience on the southeast side, or you want to take out-of-town guests somewhere they’ll talk about for years.
Different pizza for different nights. That’s how it should work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Lou’s or Godfather’s cheaper?
Big Lou’s standard pizzas (10″–16″) are generally cheaper per pie. A Big Lou’s 16″ one-topping runs around $17–$18 versus Godfather’s large at $24.75. But for group orders, Godfather’s Pizza Pack — four large pizzas for $75.00 — brings the per-pizza cost down to $18.75. At scale, they’re comparable.
How big is Big Lou’s 42-inch pizza?
It’s 42 inches in diameter — roughly 1,385 square inches of pizza. A standard Godfather’s large is about 14 inches. The 42-incher feeds 15–20 people comfortably and starts at $77.99 for cheese, up to $107.99 fully loaded. There’s also a $6 box fee. It’s an experience as much as a meal.
Which has better crust?
Different styles. Godfather’s offers five crust options — the Golden crust (buttery, pan-baked) is the standout that regulars swear by. Big Lou’s uses a hand-tossed style that’s thinner and more New York-influenced. If you want variety and the ability to switch between thick, thin, and everything in between, Godfather’s has the edge. If you want a classic hand-tossed crust, Big Lou’s does it well.
Does Big Lou’s deliver?
Big Lou’s is primarily dine-in and takeout. They may be available on third-party delivery apps, but the restaurant is built around the in-person experience. Godfather’s offers direct delivery and is available on major delivery apps, with coverage across the west side of San Antonio.
Can I get catering from both?
Godfather’s has a dedicated catering program with packages, pricing, and delivery for events of all sizes. Big Lou’s is better suited for bringing your group to the restaurant — the 42-inch and 37-inch pizzas are the ultimate group order for a party at their location.
Ready to try Godfather’s? Check the full menu, see what makes us different, or just order and find out for yourself.
Order Godfather’s Online
Or Call (210) 750-2222
