(SAME DISCLAIMER AS LAST TIME: I visited during a free pizza promotion that was widely publicized on social media, external web sites, etc. They required that I "Like" them on Facebook, then stamped my hand with red ink before letting me through.)
I was shocked when I drove by this former Schlotzky's Deli earlier this week to see how finished the new Blaze Pizza looked. Then they announced their grand opening on Friday and I was ecstatic.
I've been a huge fan of this particular pick-your-own-pizza-toppings chain since my free visit and through my multiple paying visits to the "original" location of Blaze Pizza in Henderson near Eastern and St. Rose. I've been giddy with anticipation ever since they announced their second location on the outer edge of the Galleria Mall Ring Circle, which is much closer to home. So of course I rushed over right after work to stand in what I figured would be a ridiculously long line.
After about 80 minutes just to start the ordering process, I was pumped. I started by indicating that I wanted a Build Your Own Pizza (normally $7.95), because I was definitely going to load my regular crust up (unlike many of the unimaginative people I saw around me). As I worked through the line, I indicated my choices of finishes (pesto and arugula - and yes, at the start of the line), sauce (spicy red), cheeses (shredded mozzarella, ovalini mozzarella, ricotta, goat), meats (Italian meatballs, chicken, pepperoni, applewood bacon), and veggies (mushrooms, sauteed onions, red onions, fresh basil, red peppers, roasted garlic, oregano). A quick cursory stop at the cash register later and I was ready to wait for just a few more minutes (give or take some rookies handling the finishing station).
The pizza was great, as I'd expected of Blaze Pizza. Bold flavors everywhere. You can distinguish the taste of everything except perhaps the chicken. The crust was fine, although it didn't stay crisp through to the middle. That might change as the employees in charge of the oven learn to leave topping-heavy pies in the oven for a long period of time, which I'm convinced was the case at my last Blaze visit..
Yes, I'm starting off at four stars at this location again. Despite the natural flavor enhancement known as waiting a long time, there were some valleys of blandness among my last two slices, and I attribute some of that to the uneven spreading of the spicy red sauce that I closely observed while in line. The cheeses may also not have been distributed evenly. More issues that may be resolved over time.
I'm very confused about their layout though. The formal line starts in the middle of the store, not on the side. There isn't much room for a queue here, whereas starting the line next to the wall lets people stand in a location that will minimally block foot traffic. Are they not anticipating huge lines within the store during peak hours in the future? Are they always going to designate a doorperson to direct people? This is not something that can easily be fixed.
Regardless of the various issues, I'm sure I'll be a regular at this Blaze Pizza. It's convenient for locals like me and for anyone who happens to be around Galleria or Sunset Station for whatever reason, and it's way better than that another Chipotle-esque pizza spot across the street. read more