This is the chains first restaurant located outside the state of Indiana. Hot Box has become rather popular in the local Raleigh area, drawing in the near-by college students and families by providing a low-budget, family-friendly atmosphere.
The restaurant had a very easy-going staff, who were fun and friendly towards customers. I struck up conversation with several of the employees who were more than willing to cooperate in helping me with my review. Driver, Kevin Smith, made a point of telling me "We drive for tips because gas isn't cheap, but if you want some pizza you can always count on me!" - a personal motto of his.
As my three friends and I sat down to wait for our pizza, we noticed the up-beat college environment, compiled of big screen TV's, and of course lots of NC State regalia. The atmosphere definitely catered to the typical college town scene.
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| View of the restaurant from where I was sitting in a booth. |
In fact, one of the restaurants' most popular attributes is the unique beer stand they call a "beer tower". I saw several customers enjoying beer tower's (beer from the slender, cylinder, pitcher with a block of ice at the stem to keep the beer at a desirable drinking temperture). Hot Box Pizza creates a fun environment for those of you who are looking to grab a few slices of pizza, drink some good beer, and watch a game or two.
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| Several empty Beer Towers behind the counter. |
Although I enjoyed the atmosphere, I found the pizza to be less than impressive. The pizza we ordered was a thick-crust, Chicken Ranch Pizza. Typically I enjoy dipping my pizza in ranch dressing, but I went out on limb deciding to have Ranch as the base-sauce. Everything was riding on the Ranch, and we all know if the Ranch isn't good then it's all down hill from there. It was just TOO much. It's not a pizza I would normally order, but my friends and I thought we'd give it a try. Unfortunately, it just didn't make the cut.
The thick-crust was plain, and the zestyness that usually makes ranch dressing so delicious was bland and uninviting. The toppings of spinach, bacon, and chicken were fresh and well dispersed but the dull crust and mild sauce brought it down a few notches. Thankfully, other customers did not share the same feelings. "I love Hot Box pizza, it's awesome!" said customer Kevin, 22. "It's always fresh and better than most of the other food you'll find off Hillsborough Street."
While I was not that taken by Hot Box Pizza, I would be willing to give it a second-chance. Their wide variety of pizza was appealing! I think it might be possible that they were just having an "off day", and don't we all have those.
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