San Antonio's fast casual dining options are heating up as Firenza Pizza prepares to open its first area store on December 18. Considered the Chipotle of pizza, the new restaurant at 5539 W Loop 1604 N. Ste 104 offers a variety of toppings to build your own pizza along with bread sticks and simple desserts.

The small chain touts a full bar of almost 40 toppings ranging from traditional to more unique sauces; several cheeses and meats; and vegetables including roasted tomatoes, artichokes, caramelized onions, and asparagus, as well as the much-maligned pineapple. Three different crusts are available, along with toppings like arugula, cilantro, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and drizzles of buttermilk ranch or balsamic reduction.

If you don’t feel quite up to being a pizza artist, select from signature pies like the Primavera Fresca (alfredo sauce, mozzarella and provolone blend, fresh spinach, fresh garlic, red onion, portobello mushrooms, artichoke hearts, black olives, and shredded Parmesan); Monterey (olive oil and roasted garlic, mozzarella and provolone blend, grilled chicken, bacon, roasted tomatoes, shredded Parmesan, and ranch drizzle); or the Corleone (pesto, mozzarella and provolone blend, grilled chicken, feta, sliced tomatoes, ricotta cheese, and banana peppers). Or skip the carbs entirely and order the eatery's oven-baked wings.

The fairly new franchise (it was established in 2015) hopes to differentiate itself from competitors with the crust. Although the price point for most pizzas is kept under $10, the crusts are not pre-made, and a new batch of dough is made each morning and pulled in front of the customer with each new order.

Firenza also hopes to become part of the San Antonio community by giving back. During the opening week festivities, December 18-23, a $2 donation to Susan G Komen of San Antonio, William Taft High School, and Communications Arts High School will get customers a free two topping pizza. But we suggest you make your way there early on Friday, December 22 or Saturday, December 23. The first 10 people in line on either day will receive free pizza for a year.