Fiesta 4-Piece Dinnerware Place Setting

No question that this was worth waiting for. It is very durable, with no chipping problems. It's heavyweight and beautiful, so even without formal china (and who really uses that anymore?) we can still set a lovely table... Plus it shares one big advantage with formal china--a huge array of matching completer pieces. Even better, you can find it in department stores everywhere. Open stock is readily available, so even if I did manage to break one I could easily replace it.

I also find it fun to constantly see the same dinnerware I use at home on the table in restaurants and in TV shows/commercials.

I bought a special exclusive five piece setting, which is the same as this but with the addition of the fruit bowl. I thought I'd never use it, but that fruit bowl is probably the most used piece! Perfect for a single serving of ice cream (the regular bowls are huge), a boiled egg, snack nuts, etc. There are lots of special pieces like this.

I was concerned that the cereal bowl wouldn't stack and would be a problem to store, but it nests just enough to easily fit a stack of eight in my little cabinets.

Do note: if you want to keep buying matching pieces or think you might need replacements later on, be sure to buy one of the standard colors, not a special limited edition color. Also, at least on my screen, what shows as cobalt here looks NOTHING like the real color. It is actually a very deep, glossy dark blue, which in certain light also has suggestions of purple or even black.


This is NOT a knock-off.   August 22, 2001
C.D. (Carnation, Washington USA)
48 out of 49 found this review helpful

For those of you that are new to the Fiesta Ware line by Homer Laughlin Corporation (HLC), this is NOT a knock-off of the original production. This new line of Fiesta Ware - manufactured by HLC - is primarily produced with the original molds used to produce the product for over the past 60 years or so.

New Fiesta Ware is made of a vitrifed china which requires a higher firing temperature than the oringal line which was made of semi-vitrified china. Vitrified china appeals to the restaurant industry, a large part of HLC's customer base. (Next time you are in a restaurant, peek under the plate to see the name of the manufacturer - it will probably be HLC!) However, to accomodate shrinkages caused by the higher temperature, mold changes had to be done to the lids and 10.5" plates.

Restaurants use Fiesta Ware and other HLC china because of its durability. I have been using the new Fiesta Ware for every meal, every day for the past 13 years and have only broken a few things. (Thankfully, they usually survive the drop into my cast-iron/enamal sink without a scratch.)

As far as manufacturing flaws are concerned, you will find them. They may included variations in the depth of color or a glazed-over "bump" in the china. (Anyone that has collected older Fiesta Ware will tell you that these same flaws exist in the older pieces as well.) If you are particular, check your product! If you don't like it exchange it. However, I have found flaws to be more uncommon than common, and those that I find are fairly minor and not bothersome.

HLC has added new items to the line, again, mostly for the restaurant trade; however, they are welcome additions to any kitchen. My personal favorite is the 12" rimmed bowl which is great for a big serving of pasta!

Bottom line: In my opinion, this is a wonderfully durable, colorful and fun line of china - enjoy it for a long time!


Fiestaware (Homer Laughlin China Co) Dinnerware   January 5, 2001
35 out of 36 found this review helpful

The beauty of Fiestaware is that you can mix and match any of their colors, and they all look great. With the new Cinnabar color, you can even have red (cinnabar), white, and blue (cobalt) dishes! This dinnerware is vitrified (for strength and durability) like many of the more expensive brands of dinnerware (such as Longaberger), but much more affordable. Nice deep bowls (not those whimpy flat things), and great sized mugs makes Fiesta a pleasure to put on the table. Made in the USA, so we can be assured that the glazes used are lead-free and safe. There are a million reasons Fiesta has been around since before my grandma was born, but the bottom line is quality!


A timeless classic!   September 19, 2000
KC (CA)
30 out of 31 found this review helpful

I've had my Fiestaware for over ten years now and I never get tired of it! I purchased it in my first marriage and got it all in the divorce. I have since remarried - when I was completing my bridal registry I had absolutely no wish to register for dinnerware. What can I say? A classic American design, and it comes in a rainbow of colors...you can keep all one color or mix and match (as I did). And these dishes are DURABLE -- I have not broken a single one! In addition, they are great sizes -- the cereal bowls, especially. And what a great value!


you CAN'T become bored with these dishes!   March 25, 2001
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

I absolutely could not decide which color or mix of 2 colors to pick when I was shopping for fiestaware so I bought one place setting each of 9 different colors (I skipped the white, black and grey since they weren't colorful enough!), I was worried about what my table would look like but it looks WONDERFUL! There is no way I could possibly get bored with fiestaware (I've been going through a set of dishes every other year in the past because of boredom!) I think these are definately a keeper!