Saving the Earth,
One Pizza at a Time!
By Amber Regan
Located in the heart of Hillcrest, Pizza Fusion serves up an organic, full fare menu of pizza, sandwiches,
salads and starters with amazing integrity. Considering everything from the purest ingredients to an
environmental business approach that takes being "green" to a whole new level, Pizza Fusion's eco-
friendly practices apply to their entire existence, including their restaurants’ build out, service and overall
operations.
From biodegradable to-go bags and even organic uniforms to their offset energy use and hybrid delivery
vehicles they really do everything imaginable to be a "World-Changing Business". Joe Walker, one of the
"pizza brother" owners, is a guy I seem to run into everywhere. He delivered pizza to Happenstance Hair
salon while I was getting my hair done. I run into him at #1 Fifths and the Brass Rail. He's jovial and cool
and one of those people you're always glad to see. Open since January of '08, I can't believe it took me so
long to make it in here and learn that not only is Joe cool but really the entire staff is great and makes you
feel right at home.
Walking in with a good friend for lunch, we immediately dig the open, airy environment filled with warm
colors, tall ceilings and skylights that illuminate the room with soft, natural light. Wooden tables and chairs
made of recycled barn-wood sit atop combination recaptured industrial concrete and bamboo floors. The
house is alive with the sounds of a busy lunch crowd and jazzy-bluesy music that is actually conducive of
eating (I absolutely find it distracting to eat in restaurants that play hip-hop and am always happy when the
music played matches the atmosphere and food served... so way to keep the Traveling Fork content and
ready to indulge Pizza Fusion!).
We settle in to a corner table by the window overlooking the eclectic foot traffic of this lively 5th Avenue
block. Our server is hip and friendly and knows the menu well. We consider her suggestions and start off
with a half portion of the Roasted Beet and Feta salad served over Crisp romaine and baby arugula and
topped with sautéed red onions that still held a nice firmness and candied walnuts which normally turn me
off with too much sweetness but are perfect here with only a mild dusting of sweet that accents and doesn't
overpower the flavor of the walnut. The beets are earthy and soft and all the ingredients work beautifully
together. I found this to be a generous portion and an exceptional salad for only six bucks. Sipping on a
natural diet soda sweetened with stevia and my friend enjoying one the best root beers I've ever tried we
delved into our pizza course. Wanting to try all three crusts that are offered we decide to live it up and
have leftovers to take home. It might have looked like the last supper to the people around us as we had 1
large pizza served on a stand to make room for our 2 personal sized pizzas that fit underneath. We start
with the Philly Steak Pizza topped with steak, roasted bell peppers, roasted red onion, tomato sauce,
Gorgonzola, mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan and parsley on the original crust that is thin and airy, not
doughy, with crisp, crunchy edges and soft center and held the pizza firmly. The Farmer's Market Pizza
topped with a medley of roasted artichoke hearts, red onion, roasted zucchini and Portobello mushrooms,
tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan was delicious and served on a crispy cracker thin
multi-grain crust with a scrumptious nutty flavor. I'm truly impressed with the texture and flavor of the
gluten-free crust which reminds me of Indian Nan bread with a golden crisp outside and light doughy
inside. We pick it for the Organic Eggplant & Fresh Mozzarella Pizza- roasted Italian eggplant, roasted red
onion, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and parsley. The pizzas are all served fresh, hot, and not greasy!
The toppings are all top notch and the vegetables burst with individual flavors. I've never really considered
pizza to be healthy fare but it’s pretty darn healthy here.
Health conscious alternatives are available for people with selective diets and food allergies, including
gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free options. Roll in on your bicycle or return your used pizza box for a 10%
discount! Belly up to the bar and chill out with an organic wine or beer selection for happy hour. Check out
nightly specials such as Monday-$2 drafts, Tuesday-1/2 price organic wine bottles, and Wednesday buy 1
large specialty pizza get 2nd for $5.
Pizza Fusion
3827 5th Ave
(Hillcrest- between Robinson and University)
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 278-0057
www.pizzafusion.com/sandiego
Hours
Sun. - Thur. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
