Walking into Blaze Pizza, I was met with a vast array of options promising to delight my taste buds: pizzas, salads, pasta, sides, and oh-so-tempting desserts. Although Blaze Pizza is indeed an American chain, they’ve done an amazing job in keeping the soul of Italian cuisine alive in their menu offerings - delicious, quick to prepare, and the best part – they won’t break your wallet!
Just the ideal spot for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner, what really caught my attention was their unique twist on pizza customization! Yes, you can design your own pizza, according to what suits your craving for the day.
A bit of history here – Blaze Pizza was founded back in 2011 by Rick and Elise Wetzel. I found it somewhat surprising that it wasn’t until a year later that they opened their first store. Both Rick and Elise invested their time, and not to mention a considerable amount of money, in developing a menu that would be the backbone of not just one successful restaurant but an entire chain. The objective? To offer healthy, affordable, and inclusive options for all pizza lovers. Just imagine, in merely two months, they inaugurated their second outlet, and now, 10 years down the line, Blaze Pizza boasts over 300 restaurants scattered across the continental United States.
For more about Blaze Pizza and to explore their website, you can hit this link.
I'm curious, where else I can find Blaze Pizza?
Blaze Pizza made an immediate impact in the U.S., rapidly opening its second store just two months later, and the expansion hasn’t slowed since! As of now, 10 years down the line, you can find Blaze Pizza in a multitude of countries including the United States, Canada, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite the uncertainty due to Covid-19, they have plans to expand even further. I mean, the United Kingdom has been eagerly awaiting Blaze Pizza franchises and founder Elise Wetzel foresees the brand’s UK expansion - though current progress has been somewhat hindered.
What makes Blaze Pizza stand out?
What makes Blaze Pizza so amazing? Let me break it down for you:
- Fresh ingredients: Every franchise uses only the freshest of ingredients prepared daily guaranteeing a delightful taste.
- Home-made dough: All pizzas are made from dough freshly prepared in-house every day, so you’re getting nothing but the best!
- Quick and crispy: The thin crust pizzas are ready in no time and always served piping hot. Just perfect!
- Variety: I mean, where else would you find a pizza chain with such an extensive variety of fresh quality ingredients to choose from?
Also, since 2016, Blaze Pizza gives back to the community by donating food and money to food banks and homeless shelters in need.
How about options for vegetarian folks?
For my vegetarian friends, Blaze has got you covered! There are plenty of vegetarian-friendly salads and sides on their set menu. Apart from that, they even cater to vegan dietary needs. The best part? Build-your-own pizza feature, which lets you assemble a pizza to your dietary needs or preferences. As per clarification about the vegetarian-friendly items on the menu, you can check the Blaze Pizza website or chat with an in-store staff member. They are pretty well equipped with dietary requirements related information.
And Gluten-free options?
Hey gluten-free peeps, Blaze has got your back! They have an array of gluten-free dishes, such as salads, several sides, and even desserts. Not to mention, the pizzeria understands that everyone going to a pizza place would want to savor a pizza – hence their gluten-free dough and delectable cauliflower base option. Both are super delicious, and even those of you (like me) who don’t mind the gluten might want to give it a try, you won’t regret it!
Now, about that delicious dough...
The secret to Blaze Pizza's irresistible dough? They skip the preservatives! Yes, while many fast-food spots might freeze the dough and thaw it as needed - which calls for many additives and preservatives damaging the taste and texture, Blaze adopts a fresh-today, gone-today policy. The extra time and effort? Totally worth it! Keeps the pizzas fresh, crispy, and most importantly, healthy.
Looking for Keto at Blaze?
Yes, indeed, Blaze Pizza covers keto customers too! They have a lovely keto base with an impressive fat content and reduced sugar, ensuring you can relish a scrumptious pizza without risking your state of ketosis. Plus, you can tailor your toppings just as you like, guaranteeing you can follow your diet protocol without having to sacrifice flavor.
Do they serve alcohol?
Yep, contrary to most fast-food chains, Blaze Pizza does serve alcohol. Now, that’s not to say it’s not a place for families – it absolutely is! Alongside a selection of non-alcoholic beverages, and household favorites like light beers and White Claws, Blaze Pizza also crafts in-house specialty drinks – prickly pear and key lime mint beverages that are refreshing to the core, without being overly pricey!
Pros
- Wide variety of pizzas, salads, pasta, sides and desserts
- Option to customize your own pizza
- Flash baked pizzas in superheated oven leading to remarkable consistency
- Friendly staff, good service, and charged atmosphere
Cons
- Parking can sometimes be a hassle
- Can get busy and noisy during peak hours, may want to beat the rush!