After hearing all buzz surrounding Blaze Pizza, I decided to head there and try it for myself. From the moment I walked into their unique setup and atmosphere to the time I left, I never really felt like I was at a pizza place.
I walked into a restaurant that smelled more like a warm kitchen in a home then it
did a restaurant. The lighting was low and instantly relaxed me, making me want to slow down and stay awhile. The environment for the hungry customers at Blaze Pizza is simple. You choose what you want on your pizza, how you want it, where you sit and when you leave. Sure, a lot of restaurants have the same sort of lineup to their places, but Blaze is different—in a good way.
The general manager of Blaze Pizza, Katie Livick, proudly informed me of the restaurant’s goals not only as a business but as people in this world. I had no clue that the glass I was drinking out of and plate I was eating off of were made entirely of recycled material. I also never would’ve guessed my toppings, cheese, sauce and dough in my personal pizza were made without using preservatives or artificial ingredients. Livick said it’s not just Blaze Pizza here in Des Moines that follows these guidelines but all of them. New locations planning to start up in West Des Moines and Ames will follow the same blueprint.
I asked Livick if she ever considered delivering to try and increase their sales. She said she had thought about it but is glad they don’t. Preparing your pizza fresh right in front of you and putting it into the blazing fire oven is something they take pride in.
“Doing that and then having it sit still until it gets to its designated delivery location just wouldn’t be the same,” Livick said.
I have to agree; it wouldn’t be the same at all. There’s just something about seeing it made in front of you and being able to eat it immediately after that makes it taste better than delivery.
It’s also a great place to go on a date or with company. Between the environment and size of the pizzas, it’s the perfect place to relax, enjoy a meal and have a conversation. It’s even a quick place to stop and get your food while you’re in a hurry to your next stop or on your way back to work.
Overall, I think it’s worth physically going to Blaze Pizza over both other pizza places and delivery. Blaze gives a whole new meaning to going out for pizza and it’s a rewarding feeling knowing you are eating something healthy even though it’s made just as quick as fast food. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to try a new spin on pizza, not wanting to spend much money and in search of a meal.
