Vancouver Food Carts: PazzaRella, Wood Fire Pizza on Wheels

Not many food carts in the world can brag about their built-in wood fire oven (that’s right: there is burning fire inside the truck!). PazzaRella Auto Pizzeria Napoletana proudly drives around with one of its own and sure knows how to use it! Hand stretched dough, fresh ingredients and this baking marvel combine to make authentic Neapoletan pizzas to go. Look for the little red truck with a chimney!

From the get go, the two owners decided they would create the best Neapolitan pizza. They tested everything: BBQs, pans, traditional ovens but there was nothing like wood fire to make the perfect pie. They also found out that the ideal cooking time is 90 seconds at 800 degrees: flash baking that allows for the dough to rise, bubble up and slightly carbonate to get a pleasing leopard crust. It is nice and crispy but it also remains soft enough to keep a divine chewiness. Whether your pizza eating technique involves folding it, savouring it bite by bite or saving the crust for the end, this version should please everyone.

No compromise is made when it comes to authenticity. The co-owners, Barbara and Sherry, import their flour from Naples, they use San Marzano tomatoes to create their raw tomato sauce to optimize the flavour, they sprinkle on fresh locally grown basil, oregano and arugula, and they top their work-of-art with Fior Di Latte cheese (fresh mozzarella).

Your pizza is made to order starting with the dough hand stretched in front of you and then dressed with a few toppings, in the pure Italian tradition. The offerings range from the most traditional pizza to some unusual creations, with only a few types available on any given day. The classic Margherita is always on the menu and this is probably the best way to appreciate the clean and fresh flavors PazzaRella has to offer. The pizza represents the colors of the Italian flag : red (tomato sauce), white (mozzarella) and green (basil). A bit of extra virgin olive oil is poured on top of the 10-inch personal pizza.

Another favorite is the Prosciutto and Arugula pizza: it has the fresh tasting items that the more basic pizza offers with a nice meat addition, thoughtfully added after the cooking process. What’s not to like? Another excellent meat option is the Diavolo featuring spicy Italian salami. A non-spicy version is also available. These three options are usually on the menu, if not sold out! Depending on the weekly special, Neapoletan pizza enthusiasts can enjoy Italian Sausage with Cream Sauce, Candied Salmon and Arugula, and for the more adventurous: Bacon and Egg.

This spring and for all summer long, PazzaRella is at Victory Square during lunchtime which allows you to eat your pizza outside in the park. On a sunny day, you would swear you are in Italy… well, almost!  The food truck has also opened on the weekend from noon until the dough runs out. It is definitely worth a detour or even a dedicated trip to enjoy the queen of the pies!

Location: Victory Square at Hamilton and Pender St.

Hours:
Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 2:30 pm or earlier if the dough runs out.
Follow them online to find out about their weekend schedule.

Facebook: /PazzaRellaPizza

Twitter: @PazzaRellaPizza

*Cash only

Written by Véronique St-Antoine, food contributor to Vancity Buzz. Connect with Véronique on Twitter @vstantoine

Images: PazzaRella