It’s always a packed house at Killer Pizza from Mars if you include the aliens and space voyagers! The restaurant has an extensive collection of all things alien, from "Star Trek" to "Star Wars" and everything in-between. It took the staff four days to decorate in order to create an experience, not just a mass of collectables. The doomed Qui-Gon Jinn fights for his life with a light-saber while a model of an Imperial Walker is ready for action. Take time to look up and around to enjoy the collection. Diners may choose to eat their meal accompanied by a photograph of Darth Vader, or even scarier, Darth Maul. However, the faint at heart may choose to dine with the benign and loveable Yoda. Also, a large green Yoda stands guard, eying the guests.

A vintage poster of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" shows a fresh-faced Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, while a model of the Starship Enterprise dodges fiery meteorites on the ceiling. The meteorites and other celestial ceiling wonders were painted by retired artist Harry Barlie, who completed the mural freehand, working from actual photographs obtained by the Hubble Telescope. Diners will notice unusual script on the molding that looks a bit like "Klingon" to me, but it was actually painted by employees randomly squirting paint from plastic bottles.

Owners Steve and Debbie Mizell opened the Fallbrook pizza establishment in April of 2005 and also own sister restaurants in Oceanside and Escondido. The posters and collectibles are from Steve’s private collection as well as from customers. "The stuff started finding us," said manager Luke DePauw. "It has turned into such a huge collection, but our philosophy is ‘A toy that doesn’t get played Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] with is a useless toy.’"

Items are also purchased on eBay. "Sometimes we will buy a box and have no idea what is in it," said Luke. "It’s like Christmas." Luke has worked at Killer Pizza for seven years and has been at the Fallbrook location since it opened. He enjoys working with the Mizells and said they are a "really great family to work for."

The tables in the restaurant are long, which is great for sports teams and other large groups. Video games are available and a large-screen television is tuned to ESPN or all of the NFL specials. They open early for Charger games and offer beer and appetizer specials. The menu lists pizzas, sandwiches and salads. The "Killer Pizza from Mars" is the largest seller with nine toppings and extra cheese. The "Cluck Rodgers" pizza is the number-two selling pizza in Fallbrook but is not as popular at the other two locations. Discerning Fallbrook diners enjoy this specialty pizza with chicken, garlic, onions and tomatoes with ranch dressing and fresh cilantro.

The "Martian Melt" is a roast beef sandwich with a twist. The beef is cooked in the juices, which gives it a savory flavor, then sliced thinly and layered on toasted garlic bread, topped with melted cheddar, mozzarella and provolone cheese. It is a great sandwich to eat while in the company of your favorite alien or space traveler! I myself chose to eat my "Martian Melt" in the company of Yoda.

Killer Pizza from Mars welcomes single diners as well as large groups – it might get a little crowded with all the aliens, but that’s part of the fun!

Killer Pizza from Mars

1125 S. Mission Road

(Albertsons shopping center)

Fallbrook

(760) 723-3543

www.killerpizzafrommars.com