If you know me, I love a small car. Even the Maserati GranCabrio was too large for me. So I couldn’t resist this story of a man serving pizza out of a Smart car.
The Smart car is so underrated. The ForTwo’s playful smile is one of my favorite faces in the entire car industry. Obviously, it’s not gonna be your first choice if your commute takes you on a highway. But I feel like New York City is the perfect place for a tiny, cute electric vehicle with 81 horsepower and a 70-mile range.
Well, Bradley Alvelo took it a step further and turned his Smart car into a pizzeria. He cooks pizza pies and serves them, right inside the tiny EV. Some people told him it was impossible, but the Pizza Pod NYC has become a must-go if you’re in New York City. Well, if you like small cars and fairly priced pizzas. And who doesn’t?
The actual size of a Smart Fortwo
Alright, so what are we truly talkin’ here?
Alvelo is using a second-generation W451 Smart Fortwo, which came out in the early 2000s. This particular model is just under 9 feet long, around 5 feet wide, and a little over 5 feet tall. It’s a two-seater with 7.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats.
This is not a lot.
However, Alvelo managed to fit two electric ovens in there, each drawing about 1,600 watts. Above the ovens, the experienced chef has room for pizza racks, stacks of to-go boxes, and an area to organize and use ingredients. Admittedly, the dough preparation is done off-site at a commercial kitchen where there’s a bit more room. He also has sink and fridge access through partner businesses, so he doesn’t rely on a tiny electric vehicle.
Alvelo told CNBC Make It that he bought the Smart car for $5,000 cash after some bargaining. The oven was $1,000, and the generator he uses is another $800. He spends about $50 a week on gasoline. Not a bad way to start a popular pizza business in one of the most pizza-heavy places on earth. Despite all the competition, he said he gets over 100 people taking pics of his car every day and makes about $12,000 a month in sales. Not too shabby when pizzas are priced at $20 or less. Luckily, he’s able to make about 23 pizzas an hour.
Big on heart and passion
Alvelo isn’t just some weirdo with a Smart Fortwo. He’s a weirdo with a Smart Fortwo who also went to the Culinary Institute of America.
He used to work in a traditional kitchen, but felt like a “zombie” from the long work hours and constant pressure. He wanted to start his own business.
Now, with Pizza Pod NYC, he caters rooftop parties and children’s birthdays and goes to food truck festivals. He also manages marketing and social media.
“I would say I definitely work more now than I ever worked in any corporate situation,” he admitted. But being your own boss is definitely way different than being stuck in a corporate kitchen.
And I mean, he gets to drive around a Smart Fortwo all day while breathing in the smell of pizza dough. That sounds like a fantasy if there ever was one.
One hilarious thing I missed (’cause I was staring at the car) was his “cauliflower ears.” A lot of people on YouTube noticed that he had the telltale signs of a fighter. This is a really funny trait for someone driving in a tiny vehicle with a permanently huge smile on its grille. But I think this is someone you don’t wanna mess with.
And you better be tipping.
In all seriousness, I love the idea of someone carving their own path and finding their own niche. The world needs more people willing to break away from the mundane to do something cool, especially with their car. It shows you just how important cars are in our lives. They aren’t just something to drive around. This Smart Fortwo is a pizzeria.
