Fire N Fresh has new ownership, menu

The catchy name hasn’t changed, but new ownership and a shift from fast casual to full table service has meant a sea of changes for Fire N Fresh restaurant.

The Trooper eatery launched a little more than a year ago by newcomers as an upscale, new kind of fast food venture is now in the hands of seasoned restaurateur Larbi Boualli, coowner of the immensely popular Keystone Grill & Family Bistro down the road in Eagleville.

First to go under the new management was the Panerastyle ordering process.

Instead of sauntering up to the counter, dine-in customers now walk in and take a seat at any of the comfy booths — the invitingly contemporary tan, green and black décor, accented with farmstead nuances touting “fresh eggs” and the like is the same as before — and choose from a greatly altered and expanded menu that spotlights Italian dishes like lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs and ravioli

trio (spinach, lobster and cheese, as well as burgers, salads and club sandwiches.

“We have a new chef and a

whole new menu,” Boualli said. “Before, the menu was very short and now customers really seem to like having so many more choices.”

Customers are also warming up to the Monday through Friday lunch specials, with a lineup that includes cheesesteak, chicken or meatball parmigiana sandwiches,

with soup or salad, or two slices of pizza and a drink.

Fans of the old Fire N Fresh pizza format will be glad to know the “fire” part of the name, which of course, stands for the authentic 800-degree wood-fired brick oven beauty, is still at work turning out Neapolitan-style specialties

like Margarita (marinara sauce, chopped tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil); The Farmer’s (broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers and mushrooms, available red or white) and Hawaiian (pineapple, ham and bacon).

Gluten free pizza is also available,

as is delivery.

“We want people to know that we’re open for business seven days a week,” Boualli said.

Fire N Fresh, 2706 Ridge Pike, is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The restaurant can be reached by phone at 484-322-5750.

GARY PULEO — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Fire N Fresh crew, from left, Kate Smith, owner Larbi Boualli, Mohamed Kherdal, Carisza Rivera, Abde Chacor, Chaouki Mouissa and Christobal Del Los Santos.