Date: 7/17/2016 Time: 1:30 PM 63° Partly cloudy and windy
MOD Pizza had its soft opening today, offering a special of 50% off on pizzas, milkshakes, salads, etc., until 2:00 PM, and later from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The grand opening will be tomorrow. From one of my fellow yelpers (Albertino M), he made mention that the first 52 people in line will get a free pizza at the grand opening. Lunch date with my sister, so we decided on MOD Pizza.
Ambiance: simple and casual. Double door entrance. Front area has several tables and seating for dining in and there are a few more tables and seats along the wall extending half way back to the rear of the business on the right side. Corridor from that point leads to the restroom facilities. Self-serving cold beverages (sodas, lemonade, strawberry lemonade, teas) are on the counter in the same area. Shelf unit has boxes for leftover pizzas. Below the counter are two compartments - one for plates; the other for trash.
Sad to say that MOD does not know about compost because uneaten crusts, pizzas, salad greens, soiled waxed paper liners are compost items, not trash.
Specialties: 9 different classic pizzas, classic salads (simple, deluxe or caesar), garlic and cinnamon strips, drinks consisting of locally brewed draft beer and wine, MOD shakes, floats, fountain drinks (sodas, iced teas and lemonades. You can also make your own with an assortment of pizza and salad toppings - choice of bases (sauce, pesto or garlic rub); cheeses; veggies, herbs & good stuff; meats; dressings and finish it with a variety of sauces. Any toppings you want and it is the same price.
Price range for pizza or salad: $6 to $12. Garlic and cinnamon strips: approx. $3. Beverages from $3 (floats) to $12 (pitcher or carafe for beer or wine).
The drill: get in line, peruse the menu board, give your order and name to the employee, pay for it. One of the employees will call out your name when food is ready.
Observing the preparation of the pizza is like watching an assembly line of employees doing their thing. Wax paper liner, crust, sauce, toppings, cheese, and into the oven it goes. Pretty organized, I must say.
Customer service: friendly, helpful and quick. I can only guess they're eager to please, which is nice.
Cleanliness: Grade A.
Eats: Mini #7 - the dillon james, which is almost similar to a margherita pizza, except it's not balls of mozzarella cheese and it's not sliced San Marzano tomatoes on the pizza; mod #8 - the calexico, which is a red sauce base, topped with mozzarella, grilled chicken, jalapeños, gorgonzola and a hot buffalo sauce finish. I should have asked for more basil and garlic on the #7. They did drizzle some olive oil on the pizza after I request it. My sister had the #8. She said it was spicy, but they were skimpy on the grilled chicken. She rated her pizza as just okay (2.5 star rating). Pizza crust is tasty, but a tad thin.
Return visit: Yes, for the mini #4 - the dominic loaded with fresh chopped basil and the mini #5 - the lucy sunshine with extra artichoke hearts to go. Until they start composting, then and only then I will dine in at MOD Pizza. read more