By Jules Fox
Reader Food Reviewer
This little gem of a pizza parlor disguised as a trailer with a dome on top might be mistaken for a part of the glamping summer fun RV tow-behinds. But then you would notice the oversized pizza paddles aren’t for kayaks, and the side hatch opens to reveal an oven filled with real hardwood and some bubbling cheese baking on the bricks.
Nestled in the back of the food court across from Sandpoint Farmers’ Market lies a set of umbrella’d picnic tables and benches with some surprises in store. Walk through the grass and see the red brick oven, the Mandala Pizza sign in colorful chalk and the hand drawn menu.
The Details
The hardest part of the menu is deciding what looks best. Everything looks great, but what do you want today?
My one-and-a-half-year-old daughter was an easy choice, as she is currently in love with mutooms (mushrooms). We went with the “Fun Guy,” and she delighted in picking off the wild and crimini mutooms from the melted cheese blend. Then she picked and ate the cheese off the crust. Then she devoured the crust and said “mio, peas” (more, please. It’s not authentic Italian, she’s just still learning).
My wife went with the “Bianca,” boasting real Italian prosciutto, mozzarella, goat chevre and parmesan, in a white sauce, with arugula liberally sprinkled on top.
I had only mild regrets about not going with a tomato-based pizza, as somehow my formative memories of pizza always involve this unnecessary but delicious staple. And they totally have tomato-based pizzas here! I must return.
Wood fired pizzas taste different, and by different I mean better. If you’re not used to eating amazing pizza, you might be taken aback, so look behind you. The 850 degree oven cooks up caramelized pizzas in minutes.
Cheese bubbles and meat sizzles in sixty seconds. And the crust? Crispy, crusty outside and soft cooshy center, the ring around the rose bud is as delicious as what’s inside.
Still not sold? Let me dispel any misconceptions about food truck pizza:
Myth 1: Food Trucks Have Old, Premade Food
Everything at Mandala Pizza is made fresh to order. And you can watch them!
Myth 2: Food Trucks Use Cheap Ingredients
Mandala Pizza imports their meats and tomatoes from Italy. They use almost entirely fresh ingredients, and source locally when possible.
Myth 3: Food Trucks Are Dirty
Mandala Pizza has a hand-washing station, and they use it before they prep your pizza. Then they put your pizza in an 850-degree oven. No bacteria can survive that.
Cater To Your Needs
Having a brick oven pizza joint that is literally on wheels is not only convenient and fun, but also makes it easy for them to offer catering. Ask them about how they can serve up some goodness at your next event.
Options For Restricted Diets
Gluten-Free? Yes
Vegetarian? Yes
Additional Notes:
Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch, and later for Wednesday Farmers’ Market.
Mandala Pizza
(208) 217-1006
317 Oak St.
Sandpoint, ID
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