Bare Knuckle Pizza

Mobile Artisanal Pizza

People can’t seem to get enough of artisanal pizzas, and the number of South Bay options continue to grow. Bare Knuckle Pizza is the latest provider of wood-fired pizzas topped with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

After a successful fundraising effort on Kickstarter, raising double his $5,000 goal, owner Viet Nguyen is making the rounds in Cambrian Park, Willow Glen and Japantown with his mobile pizza often. He recently told us about the project, what makes the perfect pizza and why New York is king of pizza pies.

What brought you to San Jose?

Actually, I moved to Oakland in 2002 and I’ve been back and forth from Indiana to LA, then back to the Bay. Now, I’m proud to call San Jose my new home since Summer 2011. I just started teaching at Evergreen Valley College this past semester, and my lovely fiance and her family are from the South Bay.

Tell us about your trips to Brooklyn. What inspired you at what you call the “Mecca” of Neapolitan pies?

In the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to visit New York where I’ve had the chance to eat at a lot of pizzerias out in Brooklyn. As a pizza enthusiast, I’ve always heard stories how New York was a hotbed for good pizza pies. I would eat at places like Grimaldi’s and Pauly G’s. New Yorkers and Brooklynites really appreciate good pizza pies, and what I appreciate most is how pizza makers really hone in on the craft of creating the perfect pizza pie

What inspired you to launch this project?

I’ve always enjoyed eating and making good food, whether it’s making a nice pot of pho, recreating the amazing Boiling Crab sauce, throwing down on a steak burger or perfecting my Neapolitan pizza pie. I’ve always had a love for food and I’ve always wanted to start up my own shop/eatery.  By launching the Kickstarter project, it allowed me to finally pursue my dreams.

What makes the perfect pizza?
It’s all about the dough. I would let you in on the details but that’s top secret, not even my family knows!  The crust is crucial in making a perfect pizza. Without that, you might as well just pick up a box of frozen Totino’s from the grocery store.

What’s the most unusual topping you have used?

My future father-in-law, who’s Vietnamese American, suggested that I use some lạp xưởng (Vietnamese sausage) on my pies. I tried it, but I think it’s gonna have to stay on traditional steam buns and sticky rice.

What’s your favorite South Bay pizza outside of your own?

A Slice of New York does a great job offering NYC street pies. In Campbell, there’s a joint called La Pizzeria. They make a good Neapolitan pie, too.

You overwhelmingly met your Kickstarter goal of $5,000. What’s next?

Yes, the online crowd-funding support has been awesome. Our next steps are to reach out and try to become established in San Jose. By offering a mobile pizza cart, we want to serve the community so that they can have a chance to eat locally made Neapolitan pies from scratch.

Where and when can we find you?

Currently, we’ll be set up at the Cambrian Park (Wednesday), Willow Glen (Saturday), and Japantown (Sunday) farmer’s markets.  Also, we can cater any party or event.

Where do you like to eat/hang out in the South Bay when you are not working on pies?

I’m a big basketball and tennis fanatic. So, usually on my free time, I’m either balling or hitting up the tennis courts around San Jose.

If you could sit down with anyone living or dead and share a pizza, who would it be?

My fiance Christine Bội Quỳnh Ngô. She’s been the one who’s inspired me to pursue my dreams and ambitions. She’s been my foundation and support throughout this whole thing. And, we enjoy eating great pizza together!

For more information, visit Bare Knuckle Pizza online at www.bareknucklepizza.com or call (408) 418-6458.

If you’re in the area, come say hi and watch us fumble around.