July 19, 2016 — A creative solution that provides a permanent setting for a mobile pizza eatery is set to open Thursday in New Monterey.
Tricycle Pizza, a favorite at area farmers’ markets and as a caterer for weddings and other events from Carmel to San Francisco, opens its brick-and-mortar place this week at the corner of Lighthouse and David avenues, at the site of what used to be a tire and automotive shop.
This will be no ordinary restaurant, however. Owner Danica Alvarado said because of water restrictions in the city of Monterey, she had to do things a little bit differently. With the help and blessing of the city, she is making it work by parking a brand-new food truck as her kitchen on the site, next to a sheltered patio area with picnic tables.
“We really want people to hang out here and enjoy their pizza,” said Alvarado, who started Tricycle Pizza four years ago. “We want to create a fun environment here, where you can mingle with strangers and make new friends.”
The location at 899 Lighthouse Ave. is located close to a variety of other casual restaurants, and is just a few blocks away from Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, so tourists as well as locals are bound to discover Tricycle.
Anyone driving by, however, will notice a big change. “There have been an array of different businesses there (in the space). It was not a nice-looking corner,” said Alvarado. But with hard work, she and her team have turned the building around, mingling modern and retro elements in the design.
What remains the same is Tricycle’s commitment to quality pizza, made with quality ingredients and baked in a wood-fired oven. Signature pies include chicken pesto and fennel, sausage and mushroom, but everything is made “with a lot of love and care,” said Alvarado.
Hours will be limited at first, open for business Wednesday through Friday 3-9pm and Saturday 12-9pm. Alvarado said for the time being, Tricycle will not be able to take on new catering events, but will see if some events can be accommodated in 2017.
Alvarado is excited about the new venture and said it wouldn’t be possible without the support of loyal customers as well as family members who are helping out. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s worth it,” she said.
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At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food culture of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season. We believe in sustainability, and we believe everyone has a right to healthful, clean and affordable food. We think knowing where our food comes from is powerful, and we hope our magazine, website and newsletters inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers, fishers, chefs, vintners and food artisans.
