Previously, whenever my friends and I were at the mall and craving pizza, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) was the first place that came to mind. Now there’s a new competitor for the pizza-cravers that frequent Westfield Old Orchard mall: Blaze Pizza, located by Adagio Teas.

Blaze Pizza is set up like a Chipotle or Subway, where guests, they aren’t referred to as simply customers, slide through a cafeteria-style line where they can choose between eight signature pizzas, a one topping pizza or a build-your-own, where pizzas are customized through choices of sauce, cheese, and various toppings. Hand crafted and baked over an open flame, these artisanal pizzas are speedily cooked and ready to enjoy.

In order to prepare for the grand opening of Blaze Pizza today, Niles North junior Shayla Mora and her fellow “pizza’olos” have been “train[ing] to be fast and on our game. [We have to] keep the time less than five minutes to make a pizza and cook it for another five minutes or less.”

This past Wednesday Blaze Pizza had a promotional offer for all guests to get a free pizza, most likely to help the “pizza’olos” sharpen their skills further before the grand opening. Since a few of my friends are “pizza’olos” there, I knew in advance to pay a visit.

A fast food restaurant with style is the best way to describe Blaze Pizza. The thin-crust pizza was as speedy as any fast food restaurant. In addition, the friendly “pizza’olos” who made an effort to know the names of their guests and the orange hue of its interior gave the atmosphere a warm glow. With the lively energy, I can easily see Blaze Pizza as a future hang out for me and my friends as well as a place to get delicious food conveniently quickly.

The atmosphere and fun staff aside, the food alone commands respect. The sauce was so tasty. The pizza was so crisp. The toppings were so fresh. Their s’more pie dessert was good, but better warmed up, and their blood orange lemonade was quite sweet.

Since they open each day at 10am and close at 10pm, I can easily foresee visiting there again during off-campus as well as on a Friday night.

On the off-chance that you happen to be doubtful of my glowing review, Blaze Pizza is offering the public a chance to try their pizza free of charge this Friday, and one of the “pizza’olos” happened to subtly mention that coupons for a free pizza will be passed out in front of Niles North today after school.