The $180,000 Del Popolo Pizza Food Truck

Photo by Matthew Millman

There’s only one possible reaction upon first seeing Jon Darsky’s pizza truck: Whoa. Hitched to a mighty rig that weighs 14 tons, Del Popolo begins serving Neapolitan pies this spring from its 5,000-pound oven. This much muscle comes at a cost—over $180,000 in all. The good news: Del Popolo is inimitable. “You’d have to be a fool to try and copy it,” says Darsky. “This thing was f*cking expensive.” Here, a few of the highlights.

$10,000
Only a heavy-duty truck like this one could support the two-and-a-half-ton, handmade, wood-burning oven from Stefano Ferrara in Naples. With a low dome, the oven maintains heat up to about 800 degrees for the perfect 60-second Neapolitan pizza. “I wanted a kick-ass oven and for people to be able to see it,” says the Noe Valley resident.

$50,000
Fabrication of Darsky’s vision didn’t come cheap—$85 an hour just for the labor. But with help from his mom and friends, he realized his dream. Complicated construction included demolition on the central shipping container to build the doors and a staircase, so Darsky can serve customers at eye level—a rare element for a food truck. “It’s an egalitarian way of serving,” he says. “Del Popolo means ‘of the people.’”

$80,000
The overall design and engineering, from the epic doors to the customized air suspension system, required five brains—Darsky’s plus four  designers. “This was way over my head,” he admits. “If my wife had been running the project, it would have been a lot smoother—and cheaper.”

$17,000
It’s a close race for what makes the former Flour + Water pizzaiolo geek out more: his pies or his truck. “I’ve learned a lot about the world of trucks,” he says, describing his “standard Freightliner bobtail” with the ease of a pro (the requisite commercial drivers license and registration cost an additional $2,000). “Because of that oven, I have this super heavy truck, and I’m the only one who can drive it.”

$10,000
The voyeuristic view to the inside of Del Popolo is simply stunning. The custom-made, half-inch-thick, residential-grade windows rang up at $10,000—and that’s just the glass. The steel tube and aluminum frame doors add to the bill. They open fully to a majestic wingspan of 39 feet.

This article was published in 7x7's April issue. Click here to subscribe.

this is sick. in that uber awesome way. ha, you gotta love the naysayers tho. what a drag it would be to live in their confined, and i'm guessing, constantly irritating l'il world.

By brendan trammers (not verified) on April 05, 2012

What does a check average have to do with servers, and music. And it rains sooo much in California from may thru december....

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 04, 2012

Anonymous hippopotamus, why don't you buy a restaurant for 180K and mind your own. Business, that is.
Ego is posting anonymous spiteful comments so you can read them to yourself and everyone else can see how insightful you are....
This guy is trying something creative and new, not criticizing something you don't care to do. Also, 'imagine' the labor costs if you had servers, wine, music, and 'ambiance'. Gas and insurance are cheaper than rent for 2000 sq ft. Put your money where your mouth is.

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 04, 2012

This is great! Great Industrial Design! Well Done.
There is nothing wrong with the weight distribution.
Bet it passes code DPH! I am sure the door could be opened.
Nice Work!!

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 04, 2012

just buy a restaurant. 180K can get you 2000 square feet. Imagine the check average if you had servers, beer and wine, music, ambiance, and shelter from the rain. Ego.

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 04, 2012

Obviously, there are a million reasons not to have built this truck. One reason to do it: awesome pizza experience. That is the only reason you need.

He's not drag racing this thing, so weight distribution doesn't matter if it can get where it needs. And the doors don't need to be open to serve. And the tags... well I don't think a little urban art ever hurt anyone...

Thank you for building this thing!!!!!!!!

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 04, 2012

How much easier is it to be critical than correct.Like Richard Pryor said, "I never met anybody who when they were a kid said,"I wanna grow up and be a critic'.And lastly,"As soon Seek roses in December--ice in June, Hope, constancy in wind, or corn in chaff; Believe a woman or an epitaph, Or any other thing that's false, before You trust in critics.

By B. Disraeli (not verified) on April 04, 2012

It is much easier to be critical than correct.
And as Richard Pryor said, "I never met anybody who said when they were a kid, 'I wanna grow up and be a critic'.

Can't wait to host a private party with a real 5000 lb wood oven and the door wide open for all my guests to peek inside.

Buona Fortuna Darsky.

By B. Disraeli (not verified) on April 04, 2012

doors can't ever be open (not legal)
a waste of 180K

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 04, 2012

Oh boy:

Gorgeous/ cool BUT:
-casey's has a 5,000 lb oven as well
-absolutely terrible weight distribution (all equipment on one side)
-not to code / DPH gonna rip a
hole in that design...
the huge 10K doors can't ever be open during service!

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 04, 2012

I almost feel bad for this guy: the moment he turns his back that beautiful truck's gonna get tagged six ways from sunday!

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 04, 2012