The Woodlands has several pizzerias to satisfy pizza lovers' cravings, including Grimaldi's, Steel City Pizzeria, Crust Pizza Co. and Brothers Pizza Express, among others.

But it wasn't until Dec. 17 that The Woodlands was introduced to the take-and-bake style of Papa Murphy's Pizza, located at 598 Sawdust Road. Unlike other pizzerias, Papa Murphy's customers choose their own ingredients, watch employees construct their masterpiece and return home to bake the pizza themselves.

Pizza connoisseurs can make their own large pizza for $10, $9 for the deLITE thin crust, adding an additional $1 for each of the 22 toppings added. Or for those less creative pizza lovers, Papa Murphy's features several $12 special or gourmet pizzas ranging from the Chicken Garlic Pizza with creamy garlic sauce, chicken, tomatoes and green onions to the Cowboy Pizza with pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms and black olives.

Papa Murphy's also sells stuffed crust pizzas, Mini Muphy's for children who want to make their own pizzas, as well as side salads and dessert pizzas. All pizzas come with a baking sheet, baking instructions and a sheet of coupons.

"People love it because they can come in and pick up a pizza, throw it in the oven and there is dinner," said owner Marie Olson.

Olson, from Minnesota, said she moved to the area a few years ago and was disappointed not to have her favorite pizza company nearby. She said the new Woodlands location has experienced steady growth since opening, with former Papa Murphy's fans from all over the country enjoying the take-and-bake style, including former residents from Colorado, Minnesota, Wyoming and Louisiana.

With more than 1,200 locations in 37 states, Papa Murphy's has grown to the fifth largest pizza company in the United States since opening in 1981, according to its website.

A grand opening at The Woodlands location is scheduled for Feb. 7, with specials served all day long, Olson said.

For more information, call 832-585-0744 or go to www.papamurphys.com.