MOD Pizza officially opens today at Noon in the Mueller Market District. MOD, which means made on demand, opened it’s first restaurant in Seattle in 2008. The restaurant has rapidly expanded, and while the highest concentration of locations is on the West Coast, the company has franchise locations across the country. I attended the preview and got a sneak peak of what the Mueller location will offer.
So what makes MOD different from every other pizza restaurant? You can customize your pizza however you want it and the price stays the same. That’s right, the price doesn’t change no matter how many toppings you add. Walk in and the thin-crust pizza is made assembly-line-style and slid directly into a blazing 750 degree oven; it is ready in a matter of minutes. MOD offers five base sauces, five cheeses, seventeen vegetarian toppings and nine types of meat. If customizing your pizza seems too daunting a task, MOD offers nine “classic” pizza combinations as well. The standard pie is 11″ and costs $7.47. Opt for a slightly smaller 6″ or the mega (double crust) and the cost changes proportionally. Salads, beer, wine, shakes and floats are also offered.
The atmosphere is casual with indoor and outdoor seating. The porch is dog friendly too!
MOD joins Torchy’s, Mueller Cafe, Smashburger and GreenGos, among others in the burgeoning Mueller neighborhood. Pieology, Le Madeleine and PhoNatic are also scheduled to open in Mueller in the near future. Local Muellerites have been disappointed by the lack of local businesses opening in the community, but high rent has made it difficult for smaller businesses to survive. Last year Boneheads closed after being open for just a short time. Hopefully the recent announcement of Alamo Drafthouse anchoring Mueller’s Towncenter will attract other Austin-based businesses and restaurants to the neighborhood.
My custom MOD creation: mozzarella cheese asparagus, artichokes, roasted peppers and garlic, topped with arugula.
While it’s not Bufalinia, Via 313 or Homeslice, MOD offers a quick, casual, family and dog friendly atmosphere at an affordable price.
MOD Pizza – 1801 E. 51st, Austin TX, 78723/Hours: TBD
Addendum: I’ve learned since the initial post that GreenGos is closing the Mueller location. Even more evidence to support your local businesses.