"The ONE and ONLY Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza Oven"
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Wood-burning...the term promises a simple, rustic and deeply-flavored product. Pizza is the number one food item in the world and wood-fired pizza is the hottest-growing trend in the pizza industry. The growing popularity of wood-fired pizza has much to do with the robust aroma, gentle flavors and scents that give wood-fired pizza its unique and distinctive flavor. Wood-fired ovens are alluring, yet intensely friendly, as nothing speaks of hearth and community as a lightly charred, crisp-crusted pizza. The heat and wonderful aroma of the oven warms any social gathering, bringing forth the best of human spirit through great food and delicate flavors. There's something so natural about a wood-burning oven that seems to ignite a desire to gather in a circle of family and friends. Wood-fired pizza was once limited to fine restaurants, until now...
The Solo Wood-Fired Pizza Cart is the world's only fully-patented mobile wood-fired pizza cart. Introduced at the Las Vegas Pizza Show in 2001, the Solo Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza Cart has attracted attention world-wide as one of the most unique and innovative ideas of its kind!
The Patented design of the Vengo2000, Inc. wood-fired oven is a single monolithic poured oven (not in parts) that is durable and allows high-temp cooking (1000* F +) for cooking multiple pizzas to perfection at one time, all within 3-5 minutes.
The self-contained cart has built-in tray top surface compartments to accomodate ice and all standard drop-in condiment pans for easy access to toppings. The trays have universal manifold drains for easy maintenance.
The colorful custom canopy is built as a focal point of the cart, comes in a variety of colors and can accomodate custom graphics. The canopy is aerodynamically designed and collapses for easy transportation and protects the surface prep area from rain and other elements.
Large on-board storage areas have multiple access doors, allowing for easy access and ample space to store supplies. All access doors lock and are keyed to one key.
A seperate wood storage area provides easy access and keeps wood dry and isolated from other main storage areas. A spare tire is also stored in this compartment.
The 3-compartment sink area has a built-in water tank (for health department compliance) and drain manifold for easy access and maintenance.
The unique design of the detachable tongue, integral stabilizer wheels and wheeled jack allows the cart to be easily maneuvered independently once disconnected from the towing vehicle. The tongue can be removed once the cart is in place, eliminating tripping hazard when approaching the cart. The standard tongue is equipped with 3/8" safety chains attached directly to tow bar and can be towed by any standard vehicle with a 1-7/8" ball and hitch.
The custom-built stainless steel construction ensures minimal maintenance and lasting durability. The light-weight, compact design is easily towed and can be maneuvered with 1-2 people.
The cart is wired with 4" truck lights for signaling and braking and detachable light harness on the hitch.
Heavy-duty leaf springs and tires provide stability and easy maneuverability while towing.
CLICK THE IMAGES ABOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH UNIQUE FEATURE
what's HOT with the SOLO Pizza Cart
news articles
Pie on the fly: Have wood-burning pizza cart, will travel
Thursday, December 27, 2001
By Marlene Parrish, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Ultimate pizza delivery is the latest addition for the now-I've-seen-everything list. Picture this scenario: A mobile wood-burning pizza cart is driven to your place, fired up, and an expert cook makes pizzas to order at your party -- or ballgame, catering gig or tailgate picnic. It could be the next big thing.
There is such a cart -- called the Solo Pizza Cart -- and it's supposedly the only one of its kind in the world. Since it's such a small world, the unique cart is right here in Pittsburgh and is garaged at the Allison Park home of Phil Spano. Spano is the Director of Sales for Vengo 2000, the maker of the Solo Pizza Cart.
The Chatham Village Club board wanted to do something unusual to spice up its monthly happy hour. They contacted Spano. After negotiations and logistics were ironed out, he said, "You get your gang together and tell them that the pizza guy is on the way. My wife, Melinda, will come along, and we'll do the rest."
Spano's SUV appeared at sunset that Friday, trailing a red-roofed, yellow-bellied steel cart that looked partly like a popcorn machine, partly like a Good Humor truck. In front of Chatham Hall, he unhooked the cart from the trailer hitch and wheeled it into place. A crowd formed instantly, kibbitzing while Spano got into action.
Hardwood logs were stacked in the oven, the fire was started and, while the oven was coming up to temperature, pizza toppings were set into place. When the logs were glowing, they were pushed to the back of the oven, and the baking surface of the hearth was brushed of ashes. In about 30 minutes, the oven was ready for business.
"It's like a pottery kiln in there," says Spano. Constructed of stainless steel with a stone hearth, the cart's oven maintains a 900- to 1000-degree temperature and uses regular firewood -- about two to three logs an hour. It can accommodate three 8- to 10-inch pizzas at one time, which cook in something like 3 to 4 minutes.
The design of the pizza cart itself is a lesson in efficiency. The oven looks like a big washtub at counter height. The prep counter is to one side with a partitioned tray to hold mozzarella, tomato sauce, pepperoni and other pizza toppings. There's even a sink with two running hot water taps, their heat supplied by the fire in the oven.
Temperatures in the oven reach 900 to 1,000 degrees. (Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette)
The pizza got rave reviews from Villagers. "This is fantastic, fantastic," said Jim MacDonald.
"I can't believe it cooks so fast," said J.J. Bosley. Runners were kept busy delivering hot pizzas to those socializing indoors. "Do you suppose I could have another one with caramelized onions and anchovies?" asked Norm Samways.
The crust is at once crisp and chewy on the edges, and the toppings are browned and fragrant with wood smoke. The main problem is keeping up with demand. Spano made pizzas as fast as his hungry crowd could eat them. In the hands of an experienced cook, the cart can turn out something like 50 pizzas an hour.
The oven is Allegheny County Health Department-compliant, no easy thing in Pittsburgh, and it complies with fire department codes. The cart can be used year-round, indoors or outdoors for either commercial or residential use.
Spano's brother-in-law, Dave Heinlein of Columbus, OH, holds the patent on this demo pizza cart. When Heinlein first saw the cart in 1997, he was captivated by the concept. The demo cart was unveiled at the 1997 Vegas Pizza Show. It has won awards including Columbus, Ohio's Top Ten Pizza Award for three straight years, and it has been featured at festivals. Vengo received the final utility patent for the Solo Pizza Cart in March 2001, complementing the patents for the cart and oven design and oven materials which Vengo already owned. Now the small company is ready for production.
The brothers-in-law are in discussions with several national theme parks and are currently developing a plan for distribution and establishing franchises in the Western Pennsylvania area.
"All we need are the orders to build them," says Spano. "All units are custom made and cost under $20,000, depending on the size of the model. We are also looking for a partner in Western Pennsylvania to take the plans and build the carts."
Here's a recent article from the Columbus Dispatch rating us as one of the "top 10 white pizzas" in Columbus.
Click below
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An excellent article written by Jerry Miller of Pizza Marketplace.com, an industry leading resource for news & information.
From mobile to sit-down restaurant,
EVO started their business with a SOLO Pizza cart!
CD-101 DJ's rave about the pizza while the Solo Pizza Cart catered the American Express Financial Memorial Day Live Broadcast
The Solo Pizza cart was featured at a 2009 Stanley Cup Party.
read what people are saying about their SOLO catered event
"Thank you for the great job at the Muirfield Memorial PGA Tournament. It's amazing how fast your pizzas cook and the taste -- "Absolutely Delicious" -- as evidenced by the many compliments we received."
- The Muirfield Memorial Committee
American Express Financial Advisors
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"Your Involvement, without a doubt, made our "Slice of Italy" event more successful than I could have ever imagined. The smell of the brick oven and the extraordinary tastes of the variety of pizza sampled all added to the experience that evening."
- Kim Wynnyekyj
Marketing Director,
Whole Foods Market Pittsburgh
"Almost every note or call we have received mentions how wonderful the pizza was, the great variety and what a fun idea."
- Fred Ruddock
alphabetical order ltd., Event Planners
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"The Entire group raved about the variety and unique taste of these gourmet pizzas. As you well know, the pizza cart was an "overwhelming success". I don't think there was a crumb left!"
- Judge Marjorie O. Rendell
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
"Thank you so much for making the party a huge success. I look forward to recommending you to all of my friends and colleagues."
- Brian H. Simmons
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC.
"I think the 'pizzacart' was the hit of the graduation parties this year. Now I just need to think of an excuse to have another party."
- Lucy Monteleone
Pittsburgh, PA
"The longest line at a food booth during this year's Taste of Upper Arlington was for a business that hasn't even opened yet, SOLO Pizza. Lots of wood-fired tomato and cheese, vegetables, pepperoni or olive delight pizzas crossed the counter at the Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce's Annual food-sampling event."
- Upper Arlington Community News (1998)
Columbus, OH
Dave Heinlein, Solo Pizza CFO with Clark Kellogg (CBS Sports) at the Muirfield Memorial Golf Tournament in Columbus, OH
Wood-burning...the term promises simple, rustic and deeply flavored pizza. Wood-fired ovens are alluring yet intensely friendly as nothing speaks of hearth and community as a lightly charred, crisp-crusted freshly baked pizza. People prefer the taste delivered by truly fresh products and we are passionate about great tasting pizzas and the pleasure of sharing it with others. We are committed to providing a fun, flavorful and unique food experience at all of our events.
From traditional pizzas to more unique creations, our mobile wood-fired carts have accommodated many diverse at private and public functions, in serving gourmet pizzas to a wide range of smaller parties to larger corporate and private groups. Many people have said just observing the Solo Pizza Cart in action is great entertainment and half the fun!
We start with our own homemade fresh dough recipe of blended flours and grains. The dough is proofed and brushed with extra virgin olive oil and topped with one of three sauces: homemade imported Stanislaus tomato sauce made with roasted tomatoes, basil and Italian spices, a walnut-infused pesto sauce made with fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil or a fresh creamed spinach-artichoke sauce. The tantalizing aroma from baking in our patented natural burning, mobile wood-fired oven creates a mouth-watering appetite. The oven can cook in excess of 1000 degrees with the ability to cook multiple pizzas simultaneously with the average cooking time of 2-3 minutes for our pizzas. The pizzas emerge with a golden brown, light and crispy crust, bursting with flavor. Our pizzas can be displayed and served right off the cart as everyone can share in sampling a variety of unique and tasty gourmet pizzas.
The Solo Pizza Cart has received several awards including Top Ten Pizza, Peoples choice Award and various other recognitions for our entrée pizzas as well as our signature desert pizza.
Our topping combinations can be customized and include only natural, fresh produce and other gourmet ingredients including:
•Fresh Roma Tomatoes
•Roasted Red Peppers
•Portabella/Crimini/Shiitake Mushrooms
•Pepperoni
•Black Olives
•Carmelized Onions Reduced with Balsamic Vinegar and Sugar
•Marinated Sun Dried Tomatoes
•Fresh Crumbled Feta Cheese
•Gourmet Pizza Cheese Blend (Mozzarella, Provolone,)
•Extra Virgin Olive Oil
•Fresh Home-Made Sweet Sausage
•Mild Banana Pepper Rings
•Parmesan Cheese
•Desert Pizza - Caramelized granny apples in a butter-cinnamon puree spread on our home-made dough and served with a powdered sugar dusting - unbelievable!!
Whoever thought that pizza could be so versatile & exciting ?!
SOLO - Patented & Health Department Approved !
We are currently marketing both franchise opportunities as well as providing individual cart sales. Our SOLO Mobile Wood-Fired Oven concept has significantly impacted the catering and vending cart industry with its unique capabilities and performance. Please contact us directly to further discuss any questions regarding the cart or franchise opportunities. You can contact us using the form under the contact tab on our website or e-mail us at pizzacart_aol.com.
The SOLO Wood-Fired Cart is the only commercially patented mobile-fired oven in the United States. This mobil wood-fired oven can accomodate many diverse functions in serving gourmet pizzas at public events and to private groups ranging in size from small groups to over 1,000 people. It has been utilized at several notable venues and events and we are currently expanding our market throughout the country. The carts are constructed of heavy-gauge stainless steel with on-board condiment storage, three-bowl sink and are virtually maintenance-free. Individual carts are available for purchase directly through SOLO Pizza for $19,700 plus shipping and applicable taxes and the cart has also been approved by several major health department agencies for vending cart compliance.
Please review the information under the "News & Media" tab to see and hear what people are saying about the SOLO Pizza Cart.
For more information on available franchises, purchasing a cart or if you are interested in scheduling the wood-burning pizza cart for an event, please e-mail us with your contact information or simply use the contact form below.
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All patents/copyrights are trademarks & property of Vengo 2000, INC.
