Aromas of fresh, hand-stretched dough layered with creamy red sauce, grated mozzarella cheese and freshly chopped vegetables waft through the air as the employees of Blaze Pizza whip up eleven inch pies with the desired toppings of their eager customers.
Blaze Pizza, located in the heart of fine dining in Pasadena at 667 E Colorado Blvd, combines the speed and immediate access of fast food along with a certain class and elegance. Parking is within walking distance and is charged by the hour.
Customers are able to design a “Build your own” pizza for $7.45, and choose an unlimited amount of toppings for their freshly-baked dough.
Unlike most typical pizzerias, Blaze offers a type of service similar to that of Chipotle or Subway, because customers can choose their own ingredients while walking in line, and receive their food immediately after their journey through the wonders of pizza. If you’re unsure of which toppings you want to have, the menu also features the Signature variety for the same price, which includes hand-crafted pies like the “White Top” or the “Meat Eater.”
When I walked into the restaurant, I fell in love with the atmosphere. Although I wanted the dining experience of a sit-down restaurant, I didn’t want to wait for my food to arrive. I ordered a Build Your Own, with spicy red sauce, ovalini mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken and vegetables, such as artichoke and basil, which made for a somewhat healthy meal. My mom ordered the “Veg Out” Signature Pizza, which featured ingredients such as zucchini, mushrooms, red onions, mozzarella and gorgonzola cheese.
After paying at the register, we waited for our order for approximately three minutes at most. The employees baked the pizzas in a deep, wood-fired oven which cooks at about 800 degrees, in order to keep the fast food experience intact.
When I bit into my hot slice, I was extremely shocked because I never knew pizza could taste so good, after getting accustomed to sub-par Domino’s boxes for the majority of my life. I’m not a huge fan of vegetables, but the bell peppers, jalapenos and fresh basil, helped craft a taste that was unmatched by any other pizzeria. Also, the quality of the flat crust was similar to that of CPK, and the pizza surprisingly lacked an overdose of grease and oil.
Although this restaurant is a fast food joint, the customer service exceeded my expectations. Employees cracked jokes as we walked through the line and accepted requests for a few more vegetables or a more customized order. Since it is a more casual restaurant, the service did not include employees checking up on customers, instead allowing them to rely on signs for condiments and drinks.
Blaze is the perfect pizza place for a simple date on a Friday night, a family get-together or even a casual club banquet if you’re looking for a change.
TCHS School Newspaper