A small Smart car parked at 54th Street and 10th Avenue is turning heads - and stopping pedestrians in their tracks - thanks to the unmistakable aroma of fresh, stone-fired pizza coming from its open trunk. Pizza Pod NYC, a mobile micropizzeria operated entirely out of a two-seater vehicle, is the creation of owner Bradley Alvelo, who says the unconventional setup began with a simple idea. “I just happened to have this smart car so I just kind of hooked it up so it worked. And here we are,” Alvelo said. Inside the trunk, Alvelo stores olive oil, sauce and cheese instead of the usual roadside essentials. A portable generator powers the mini ovens that allow him to bring his pizza to any street corner he chooses. For Alvelo, the mobility is intentional. “Before jumping into a storefront that’s charging anywhere from 8,000 to 20,000 dollars a month, I want to make sure people are enjoying the product,” he said. Customers often stop midstride, surprised to find fresh, hot pizza being made from the back of a tiny car. One patron, still chewing, shook his head when asked whether he expected such a setup. Alvelo says the reactions have become routine. “This is New York City so people have seen it all but I’ve noticed everyone has to stop. From truck drivers to kids coming out of school doesn’t matter they’re like hold on let me take a second and see what’s happening over here,” he said. Alvelo calls Pizza Pod NYC “New York City’s smallest pizzeria.” Beyond street corners, he says the compact setup has made him a popular choice for events. “In off broadway theaters, we’ve been on rooftops, kids birthday parties,” he said. The concept has gained traction on social media, helping fuel demand for Alvelo’s nine different 12-inch stone-fired pies. With 20 years of professional cooking experience - much of it in corporate dining - he says the inspiration traces back to his childhood in the Bronx. “I grew up eating pizza. Pizza is number one comfort food. And when you’re a broke kid pizza will save your life,” Alvelo said. Pizza Pod NYC continues to pop up across the city, offering a new twist on small business - and a big slice of nostalgia - from the back of a car. Anthony Carlo
