Fiesta Pizza III Provides Pizza and Hoagies Far Beyond Traditional Choices

As a longtime resident of the Hill, , 8339 Germantown Ave., has served residents, guests traveling through the area, and students at Chestnut Hill College. My dining companion was a former student from the days when the college was a women-only school. She remembers that Fiesta Pizza III was a haven of decently priced, good food.

Lunch and dinner visitors will find the quintessential items such as pizzas, hoagies, grinders, and burgers. What newcomers won’t expect is a signature food made with a flair to the loyal customers’ high standards.

When you walk through Fiesta Pizza III, their sunny interior welcomes you to sit down, relax, and get ready for good times. Our server enthusiastically welcomed us and kindly gave suggestions to what might satisfy your taste buds and satiate our appetites.

My best test of a pizza is trying a favorite of mine, which is pepperoni pizza. Coming in two sizes — small and large — the pizza was well made throughout. The fresh dough was formed thinly, but not too thin.

On the tender but crisp crust, they added well-seasoned sauces where you can taste the herbs and spices. The flavors stayed subtle and never overwhelmed the other ingredients. The mix of cheeses and meats also worked as a flavor-filled team.

If you are feeling more adventurous, you can choose the Philly Cheesesteak, White Veggie or BBQ Chicken Pizza. Those who are more traditionalists, Fiesta Pizza III gives you standard toppings that you can choose from.

Fiesta Pizza III presented other options if you are interested in other selections besides pizza. You can pick a filling-stuffed stromboli or calzone, steak sandwich, hoagie, or wrap.

You certainly receive your money’s worth for the hoagies, toasted grinders, and sandwiches. During this visit, I tried the Italian hoagie. Packed in a fresh and soft hoagie roll, the meats, cheese, and herb within the sandwich was equally balanced with flavors. The theme at rule Fiesta Pizza III seems to be equality and balance of flavors. The ham, salami, and provolone hit my taste buds and sent happy signals to my brain at the same time.

If you’re looking for something extraordinary, you can choose from the Meze section of the menu. Greek appetizers include hummus, which is made in-house, and cucumber and savory yogurt dip.  During this visit, I tried the Spanakopita Homemade Classic, a spinach pie wrapped in crispy and flaky phyllo dough. It’s a delightful start that tastes wonderful at any temperature.

Along with the Greek small dishes, there are also other specialties from Greece. Try favorites like several versions of souvlaki platters and gyros. No matter what you have a taste for there is something to appease everyone.

If you are looking for something sweet to close the meal, there are also a host of desserts to choose from. I decided to stay with the theme and picked the baklava. This sweet treat left sort of a sour note. It was a little soggy and underwhelming to taste. The sweetness was on the right level, but the filling’s texture was too dense like fudge. The phyllo crust was wimpy rather than crispy.

My dining companion confided that she had not tasted Fiesta Pizza III since her college days at Chestnut Hill, but the food was as excellent as her memory served her. At the time, eating at Fiesta Pizza was considered fine dining for college students who welcomed a break from ramen noodles.

Fiesta Pizza III started as one man’s American dream and became a tradition for many people who live or attend school in Chestnut Hill. Open 7 days a week, you can feast on breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you can’t venture out, you can order takeout or order online. Either way, you can find good food, done well, and in a friendly atmosphere.