MOD Pizza - Not Your Ordinary Pizza Chain

4945 S Virginia St Suite A 

Reno, NV 89502

Other reviews and pics on Yelp

Website

Menu

What's to Love

*High quality ingredients

*Great tasting

*Build your own

*Gluten free, Vegan, vegetarian Friendly

*Fast & Friendly Service

*Wide variety of toppings and Sauces

*Flexible with hiring

*Wide selection of beverages

*Rewards program

I walked into this build-your-own-pizza joint not having any previous knowledge of it, not even information from reviews. The name alone caught me and I had to find out what or who put the Mod into Mod pizza.

At first glance, I was stunned at how many toppings were available and how they charged a flat fee for each size pizza regardless of how many toppings chosen.

Upon pickup, I noticed how many sauces they offered, free of charge. If you don't know, sauces, when combined in different ways, can make the world go round. Balsamic and honey anyone? Buffalo and BBQ was a favorite of a worker that handed me my pizzas. Needless to say, I had to give it a try and surprise... it was also a winning combination of their sauces. Request for sauces on the side to prevent the pizza from getting soggy for to go orders.

Their pizzas were amazingly fresh, with delicious, thin crust dough that was perfect in texture - light, chewy, and fluffy. I ordered their equivalent to BBQ Chicken- Caspian (with pickled onions and roasted garlic added), a BYO Hawaiian style pizza (ham, pineapple, onions, olives), their cheesy bread (dough, cheese, dried rosemary), and a BYO vegetarian pizza that I topped with all available veggies except for jalapenos.

The veggie pizza was sooooo good. It surprised me because it looked like it was going to taste like a plain salad. Boy was I wrong. The Caspian and Hawaiian were equally satisfying. The only selection I wasn't too excited about was their cheesy bread (it's a favorite with their regulars), which I felt was good, but a little heavy on the cheese. I did forget to ask for marinara sauce, so next time, I'll give it a second chance (light cheese next time along with some parmesan added).

These pizzas were so satisfying, esp. dipped in their sauces (veggie in ranch; veggie in balsamic and honey; Caspian in ranch and Buffalo BBQ). I had a mad scientist moment with my food, and it was so much fun.

With good food, must come good drinks. They had that covered. Their drink case was loaded with different selections, including a favorite - San Pellegrino (carbonated fruit juices). I also found beer on tap and additional fountain drinks on top of the usual.

Service was outstanding. The workers that served me were down to earth and downright friendly.

To my surprise, I found out that this company not only churns out great pizzas, it is also making a lasting impact in many communities around America. Mod Pizza is all about second chances, hiring those who have disabilities, who've been out of the work force, those (like mothers) who need a more flexible schedule, and who've gotten into a little trouble in the past.

Another goal of theirs is to provide delicious high quality food at an affordable price.

I am digging this restaurant and its mission and I know now the meaning behind its name. Just when I thought the ordinary pizza chain restaurant couldn't get any better, Mod comes along and proves me wrong. You must try them out.

P.S. Do you see that No Name Cake at checkout? They didn't name it because there was no name good enough for it. If you test it out, let me know what you think.

Notes

-Download MOD App to earn rewards. Order ahead and reorder favorites.

-Gluten free crust and Vegan cheese available upon request

-Delivery available with Uber Eats and Door Dash

-build your own salads

-Found in the same plaza as Hallmark, Bed, Bath, World Market, Nordstrom Rack

Categorized under "Good Eats"

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno, NV - Wilbur D. May Museum, Arboretum, Botanical Garden, & More

Wilbur D. May Center

1595 N Sierra Street

Reno, NV 89503

Helpful Links

Museum Instagram | May Arboretum Society

Wilbur D. May Museum Website

Volunteer Opportunities

Museum Facebook

Museum Event Space Rental Information

Garden Wedding Rentals

Pavilion Rental Information

Hall of Heroes Exhibit

Wilbur D. May Arboretum Brochure 

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is Reno’s largest and most dynamic park. It’s home to the Wilbur D. May Museum, the Wilbur D. May Arboretum, the largest off-leash dog park, hiking trails, Herman’s Fish Pond, beautiful event pavilions, and host to some of the most popular annual events, including The Great Reno Balloon Races and The Dragon Lights Festival.

At Wilbur D. May Museum, you can find a neat gift shop, Wilbur May's permanent collection, and fun themed traveling exhibits in winter that usually open around January. The Hall of Heroes, Dragons, Toytopia, and retro video game themed exhibits are some I have enjoyed in the past. The permanent collection preserves the life of Wilbur D. May, a world traveler who collected thousands of artifacts throughout the span of his life and brought them back to his home here in Reno. Though small, the museum is packed with so much to see.

The Arboretum (right next to the museum) is tranquil and beautiful.  It features over 4,600 native and adaptive plant species, 1,700 trees, a Labyrinth Garden, waterfalls, and Evans Creek. It also offers educational programs, a bird watching spot with 55 species, and a redwood bridge. with lots of labeled trees and plants. 

Paved trails and shade from trees in the Arboretum area provide fun & relief from the blazing hot summer sun, allowing for families to enjoy the outdoors for extended amounts of time. There are many beautiful gazebos in the arboretum area and a beautiful mini waterfall that contribute to its tranquil atmosphere.

In the same area, you can travel back in time with the kids and play at the Dinosaur themed playground that features some swings, a slide, and a wall perfect for climbing. Other playgrounds available at Rancho San Rafaeal Regional Park - a playground made out of wood next to the pond & a more substantial and modern one next to the main street on North Sierra Street (just drive down the main road after entering the park and you'll spot it from the street). Because of the shade available, along with seating, restrooms, and so many other attractions nearby, these playground rank among the highest on my list of all playgrounds in Reno.

The park's wide open spaces, amenities, and attractions make this park ideal for large and small gatherings, events, outdoor sports, and more.

I always encounter people from all walks of life here, including joggers, hikers, nature lovers, dog walkers, couples, families, and it's no wonder why. It has everything one would look for in a park and more.

Notes

-Stroller and wheelchair friendly  

-Museum features wildlife displays, African primitive art, Ta'an Dynasty pottery, Egyptian artifacts, and European silver  

-Indoor garden includes a centerpiece waterfall, a koi fish pond, and a seasonal flower garden

-Available for weddings and parties  

-Call the park to reserve outdoor pavilions for events  

-25-acre off-leash dog park (bring a towel on wet days for muddy paws)  

-Rose garden located in the Arboretum  

-Large grassy areas are perfect for kite flying  

-Larger children's playground near the grassy field, another playground next to Herman's Pond, and a dinosaur playground by the museum parking lot  

-Gazebo available for gatherings  

-Exercise course around the grassy area  

-Home to a variety of wildlife  

-No dogs allowed in the Arboretum  

-Shade is mostly found in the Arboretum area  

-Ideal for photo shoots  

-Great for picnicking, with tables and BBQs located next to the playground and the open grassy field.

Categorized under Parks and Playgrounds, Family Friendly Hiking and Picnic Spots

*Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.*

Photography

©Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

South Reno’s Hidden Sushi Gem: Miyabi

 They have some of the BEST nigiri in Reno.

13967 S Virginia St spc 910

Reno NV 89511

Instagram

Website

Menu

Miyabi Sushi is one of the few sushi spots in Reno that skips the all-you-can-eat route entirely.  While I love AYCE as much as the next Reno local, it definitely comes with some trade-offs. When restaurants are pumping out endless rolls at high volume, there’s only so much they can do ingredient-wise. Miyabi leans into the a la carte experience instead, and you can absolutely taste the difference. The quality here feels a step above a lot of the typical sushi spots around town.

Before even getting into the food itself, Miyabi’s location deserves some attention because it’s honestly one of the restaurant’s biggest strengths. Located in Shayden Summit (formerly The Summit), the restaurant is surrounded by shopping, entertainment, more dining options, and plenty of ways to turn dinner into a full on outing.

Nearby Attractions in the Same Mall

Cinemark Century Summit Sierra

Dave & Busters

X - Golf - Golf Simulator

Hyatt Place 

Now, about the food.

I love that their menu is not too overwhelming, but still has enough variety to really highlight their incredibly fresh fish while offering just enough extras for the adventurous crowd. It is one of those menus where you do not feel lost, but you also do not feel limited.

On the menu you will find ramen options, well known hot plates like chicken teriyaki, chicken katsu, and pork tonkatsu, appetizers, combination platters with different mixes of rolls and nigiri, and desserts.

I still remember my first visit years ago when I was celebrating my dad’s birthday. The chef was more than willing to create a custom vegetarian roll on top of the already amazing vegetable roll on the menu just to accommodate his dietary needs... or shall I say, wants, LOL. That kind of flexibility really stands out, and is one of the best traits a restaurant can have. We are all pretty demanding in our own ways, right. LOL. I never forget when a place goes out of its way like this.

I have tried pretty much everything on the menu at this point. The nigiri is fresh and comes with thoughtful toppings and is some of the best in town. The appetizers are always beautifully presented and consistently excellent in quality. Their hamachi kama could easily pass as an entree if you just add a scoop of rice on the side. I also really like the seasoned edamame, fried mushrooms, and miso soup. For rolls, the Fire Ocean, Ryu dragon roll, and Mt. Rose roll are all popular picks, all approved, and all seriously drool worthy. Even my dad’s vegetarian rolls was addicting. You really cannot go wrong with anything here.

Exciting news!!!

The restaurant has gone through a major transformation and recently reopened in March 2025. They purchased the shop next door (formerly Color Me Mine), knocked some walls down, opened up the space, and completely redid the interior.

The new and improved restaurant now features darker design, significantly more seating than before, a bar that showcases the sushi chefs and drink offerings, and subtle Japanese accents that make the dining experience feel a bit more authentic and elevated.

Notes
-Parking is plentiful
-The restaurant closes midday between lunch and dinner service
-If you are looking for all you can eat sushi, Hinoki is one of the best in Reno
-If you are looking for value, check out the platter section of the menu. It includes different combinations of nigiri, rolls, and sashimi

Mt. Rose is sushi perfection topped with light tempura fried onions.

Dragon Roll (Ryu) is unagi perfection!

Fire Ocean was FIRE!  Great for tuna lovers.

One of the best tasting Vege rolls in town.

*Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.*

Categorized Under "Good Eats" ---> "Sushi/Japanese"