What’s more accurate than delivery pizza? The Pizza Truck. If you live in the blessed perimeter of Fishtown and New Kensington that receives a nightly visit from the tastiest meals on wheels in Philadelphia, you know. The red-and-white truck is legend, and it rolls by your house at the same time every night, like clockwork.
The concept is simple genius: Owner Dieter Neumann tosses up thin crust pies quicker than you can count out your dollar bills. Wait on the stoop or listen for the ear-piercing old-style firebell ring, saddle up to the window barefoot (it’s just more authentic that way, native son), and place your order at the window. We pair ours with water ice in lemon or cherry, but they also sell Arctic Splash. (In case you haven’t heard us preach the gospel before, drink this like you would beer, if beer came in a carton and you sucked it up with a straw, and you’ll be just fine with your life.)
If you dare to be different, ask for a pizza pretzel. But there are countless delis around that can make this for you, and you’re just going to be that annoying person who holds up the line because you had to have a pretzel smothered in pizza sauce and American cheese. That’s an insult to the pizza, my friend. Especially when your pie has crispy crust that’s slightly charred, sweet sauce that conjures up carnivals and boardwalks, and that gooey, not-quite-pizzeria cheese. What’ll really stand out is the smell. It will permeate your house until it smells like a pizza kitchen, which is exactly what you want if you have any personality at all. Since pizza always tastes better just when you think you’ve forgotten it, order an extra pie and let it make friends with your refrigerator. It’s better than any breakfast this side of Christian Street.
The magic of the PT is that it was always there when you needed it, since you were a wee punk child with mashed up firefly guts on your hands. And it’s there even now, still crawling up those back streets and slapping those piping-hot white boxes into your outstretched palms. Chances are it will not make a second run down your block in one night, and the premise makes as much sense as breathing. Fast pizza that’s surprisingly good, from two people in a truck. It’s a wonder why this is not a city-wide or planet-hopping phenomenon. But if it was, would it still be so near and dear to us? For now, stop thinking about it. Quit scrolling paper menus and calling pizza places, asking how long the wait will be. The Pizza Truck is coming.
— Kelly White
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