No one says it, but the thought is in the air: "No one order the piece I want!"
by Beth Coleman
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Oasis in the city refreshes the pizza-lover's palate
Getting your favorite kind of pizza at the Oasis Cafe is tricky -- even for a pizza-by-the-slice expert. Timing, strategy and little a luck play a part in successfully snatching your favorite piece before the aggressive pizza-lover in front of you can order it first.
Two pizzas sit in the warmer as eight people waiting to order loom over them. One couple whispers about how they're going to grab the two pieces of onion and artichoke heart. Two friends discuss ordering a slice of pepperoni and a slice of sun-dried tomato with feta cheese. No one says it, but the thought is in the air: "No one order the piece I want!"
Oasis Cafe offers standard pizza toppings like pepperoni along with unusual toppings like artichoke, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. A piece of cheese pizza starts at $1.95 and costs more with each topping added.
Because of the variety in the toppings, most customers know exactly what they want. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee the kind of pizza you desire will be waiting in the warmer when you arrive.
Nevertheless, ordering pizza is not left completely up to chance at the Oasis Cafe. Customers who will not settle for less than their favorite kind of pizza can special-order a piece for no extra charge. The wait is longer because a new pizza has to be made, but the 15-minute wait at Oasis is not an intolerable one. Displayed on the walls are paintings by local artists.
This week, Jill Stone's paintings are displayed. Stone's paintings are acrylics depicting various new age concepts. The art work at Oasis is changed on a regular basis.
Customers not interested in the art work on the walls can take a seat at one of the stools in front of the windows. Oasis Cafe is situated on the corner of 37th and Hawthorne. Anyone sitting at the window seats can watch the passersby while they eat pizza. These are very good seats for anyone who enjoys people-watching.
The background music filling the Oasis Cafe is always different. Some days soft jazz comes through the speakers. Other times upbeat oldies help fill the friendly atmosphere.
The Cafe offers more than pizza-by-the-slice. A variety of desserts including cheesecake and brownies fill the glass display case below the counter. Italian sodas and sandwiches are also available. For cheap food and a funky atmosphere, the Oasis Cafe really is the oasis that shoppers on Hawthorne are looking for.
Beth Coleman likes to order her pizza with artichoke hearts and feta cheese when she goes to Oasis.
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