![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Hungry? Ready to MOD?
Two MOD Classics, the Tristan and Jasper. With pizzas “made on demand” at MOD Pizza, customers can either choose from Classics or build their own pizza, with a diverse array of toppings, sauces, cheeses and crusts to choose from.
March 2, 2020
In the midst of a bustling street — cars blurring past, people scurrying to and fro, high heels clacking like ice cubes in a glass — a pop of red illuminates the gray hue of buildings. This red belongs to the sign of MOD Pizza, emblazoned with large white letters spelling out the name of the restaurant.
Inside, a black and white collage of MOD customers adorns the rightmost wall of the restaurant, full of pictures of customers smiling, holding their pizzas; pictures of families eating together; pictures of employees putting the pizzas into the oven. The photos elicit a feeling of ebullience, immortalizing the memories of a community. Tables of different sizes line the wall opposite to the photo collage, providing customers with space to enjoy their meal.
The instant customers step into the building, a menu greets them near the doorway. Pizzas range from $4 to $10, with over 30 toppings to choose from and a vast array of choices on the menu. They’re affordable and quick to make, yet delicious nonetheless. The chain’s name itself reflects the emphasis on fast, quality and customizable pizzas: “MOD” stands for “made on demand.”
MOD pizzas and salads are offered in three different sizes: Mini, MOD and Mega. The ingredients are all fresh, and the pizzas are made with flour, dough pressed daily and a variety of toppings. Customers can choose to add their own toppings before the dough goes into the pizza oven. The workspace is exposed so anyone can watch the “superfast” pizza-making process.
The menu also lists some of the pre-arranged combinations of pizzas, ranging from regular cheese and pepperoni options to “Jasper,” topped with mozzarella, spicy chicken and beef; “Lucy Sunshine” with artichokes, garlic and drops of red sauce; and “Calexico” made of gorgonzola, jalapenos, hot buffalo sauce — an explosion of spicy flavors wrangling in your mouth.
One popular choice for vegetarians is the “Tristan,” made with mozzarella, asiago, roasted red peppers, mushrooms and pesto. A fusion of the dark red sauce, the bright green pesto and pale brown crust, it’s as much a feast for the taste buds as it is for the eyes. The sharp taste of basil contrasts and balances out the soft, milky flavor of the cheese. The crust is thin, crunchy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside. The cheese strings stretch for miles and feel smooth, almost elastic. The blend of the saltiness of the meats and the sweetness of the red sauce cause a combustion of flavor bursting inside the mouth before melting away and resulting in a tangy aftertaste.
The Tristan is a MOD Classic made of mozzarella, asiago, roasted red peppers, mushrooms and pesto. Pizzas range from $4 to $10, with over 30 toppings to choose from and a vast array of choices on the menu.
Available along with the meal are an array of drinks and condiments, including garlic bread, garlic strips and cinnamon strips, which can complement any pizza. For beverages, the restaurant serves milkshakes, fountain drinks and craft beers.
MOD Pizza provides an array of choices in crusts and cheeses as well. Along with the usual crust, they offer a gluten-friendly crust and a cauliflower crust. Similarly, the cheeses include a dairy-free option.
Additionally, all salad toppings are not restricted to just salads — they’re available on pizzas as well. MOD provides croutons, feta cheese, balsamic fig glazes and honey as options. For those looking to satisfy their fiery taste buds, choose the Sri-rancha sauce to top off the pizza.
Overall, MOD Pizza is perfect for anyone craving a fast, fresh and flavorful pizza, in approximately 3 minutes — and at an affordable price. The vast combination of options will suits any customer’s desires, whether due to dietary restrictions or taste preferences. For any hungry student after a long day at school, for any family hosting a birthday party, for anyone who wants to grab a quick bite or for anyone who just wants a delicious pizza, MOD Pizza is the place to go.
