By Barbara M. Houle Correspondent
Todd Harrington of Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza in Grafton with his mobile brick oven. T&G Staff/Christine Peterson
Congrats to chef/owner Todd Harrington of Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza in North Grafton on being voted Mobile Cuisine’s 2016 Pizza Food Truck of the Year.
Mobile Cuisine is an online resource destination for the mobile food industry. Visit https://mobile-cuisine.com for more information.
Anzio’s Mobile Wood Fired Pizza pulled the most votes in a national online contest that began in June when Mobile Cuisine readers were asked to email names of their favorite pizza food trucks. Once data was collected and counted, voting began for the top 10 email submissions.
Contest rules stated that the vendor had to be open before July 2015 and must regularly serve pizza from his or her truck, cart or trailer. Vendors could be located in or outside of the United States.
Harrington of Grafton said he was “surprised and happy “to learn that he had won. “It’s a big deal, and my team works hard,” he said.
The top prize is a feature article on Mobile Cuisine’s site, and of course, notoriety.
Harrington owns two trucks. “We were very successful with our first truck, so we purchased a larger truck last year,” said Harrington. The new truck includes refrigeration, he said.
The trucks travel to festivals, special events, and private parties. Harrington said it takes very little time to cook pizza in the ovens. “When we travel, we always offer a special of the day and pizzas with a variety of toppings.” At a festival, anywhere from 500 to 600 pizzas are sold, he said.
“We have a pretty busy schedule,” said Harrington, who explained that the larger truck is at Red Barn at Angel’s Café in Hopkinton from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The café, which has a licensing agreement with Red Barn Coffee Roasters, brews and serves coffee and scratch bakery items.
Pizza lovers also can find an Anzio’s truck parked at the Grafton Town Common on Wednesday nights during the summer concert series.
Anzio’s Pizza truck will be among participants at the Hot Night in the City event July 22 at the Worcester Center for Crafts in Worcester, and the Worcester Italian Festival, Aug. 18-21, on the grounds at Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Worcester.
Harrington has owned Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza, 135 Westboro Road, North Grafton, since 2012. The restaurant, which seats 49, is open daily for lunch and dinner. Visit www.anziosbrickovenpizza.com.
Note: In 2015, Jon Saccomando, former chef at Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza, was one of the Judges’ Picks in a three-way tie at Worcester’s Best Chef competition.
Harrington is originally from Milford, Connecticut, and has worked for large restaurant chains.
He serves a thin-crust pizza, commonly known as “New Haven-style pizza.”
It’s a winner!
