New Bridgewater food truck run by 22 West's owner carries on grandmother's legacy
Kevin Trimarchi, the owner of 22 West Tap and Grill, Epic Cookies & More, Slingin' Dogs and Oink & Moo BBQ & Burgers, has made a name for himself in Somerset County.
But his newest food truck isn’t just another professional venture. This time, it’s personal. Dedicated to his late grandmother, Nana’s Wood Fired Pizza serves fresh pies to parties as large as 200 people.
Trimarchi has strong memories of Rose, who helped him develop his love for food.
“She was a small little Italian woman,” Trimarchi said. “She loved to cook, and she loved to give you a smorgasbord of food every time you walked in the door. You didn't leave without a Ziplock of butter cookies. You got a whole tray of cannolis in your face when you walked in the door, and she was shoving them in your face.
“Part of the reason why I grew up in the culinary field, being a chef by trade was all because of my mom and my nana," he added. "We always cooked in the kitchen together. It was always fun to learn new recipes.”
So when Rose passed away in April 2022, Trimarchi wanted to do something to honor her. He began work on a new food truck serving wood-fired pizzas to customers. A year later, he surprised his family with the unveiling of the truck.
“They were over the top and started crying,” Trimarchi said. “The logo is a picture from her at my wedding. It was sentimental that someone drew that.”
The pizza sauce and toppings used on the truck are his grandmother's recipes, Trimarchi said.
“She would make pizza when we were growing up,” Trimarchi said. “We would have pizza parties. And then it was really about the Italian heritage. Pizza was a huge part of what she did.”
The truck has been serving pies since it’s unveiling in April. Fan favorites include the Spicy-Roni Pizza, which is topped with pepperoni and drizzled with Mike’s Hot Honey. Other popular pies include the margarita and sausage.
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Customers are able to see their pizza made in front of them.
“They order pizza right from the server,” Trimarchi said. “He's right out front. The dough is being rolled out, and sauce and cheese is topped. It’s a fun experience. You get to see the pizza and the wood-fire pizza ovens facing outside. You see the pizza actually being made from the raw stage to the cooked stage. And they put it right into the box and cut right in front of you right away.”
Once ordered, pies take 3 to 5 minutes to make. The truck can serve anywhere from 25 to 200 people. In addition to pizzas, the truck’s menu includes sides such as garlic bread and mozzarella sticks.
For all-you-can-eat, the cost of the truck is $25 per person and $200 per hour. The truck also offers prices per item on its menu online. So far, the truck has served at local breweries and for different parties in the area. It will go anywhere within one hour, Trimarchi said.
When it’s not booked during the weekends, it sets up shop outside 22 West Tap and Grill in Bridgewater.
“The goal is to get hooked up with private parties, birthday parties and kids’ birthdays,” Trimarchi said. “That's why we did this pizza party package. That way you can have a pizza making party in your house. We supply the dough, we supply the toppings and the sauces. Everybody you know makes their own pizza and then we cook it.”
Go: Nana's Wood Fired Pizza sets up shop (when not booked) at 22 West Tap and Grill, 1601 Route 22 (by Thompson Avenue), Bridgewater; nanaswoodpizza.com.
Sal DiMaggio is an intern reporter at MyCentralJersey.com. He covers features, news and more. Email him at sdimaggio@mycentraljersey.com.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Owner of 22 West in Bridgewater starts food truck inspired by grandmother
