Melbourne's food-truck scene is a melting pot of cultures, flavours and vehicles. But amidst the endless options, Primo Street Pizza has managed to make a name for itself, thanks to its mouth-watering pizzas and classic Mercedes-Benz Van.

We chatted with Paul McCormack, the founder and owner of this iconic Victorian business, to learn about all things margheritas and Melbourne.

It all started in July 2018 when Primo Street Pizza was launched, taking over the reins from Soul Kitchen Pizza Truck, Paul’s previous venture. With a passion for pizza making that dates back to his teenage years, Paul saw an opportunity in the now-thriving food truck scene and went for it. The rest, as they say, is history – much like his historic Mercedes-Benz Van.

When Paul started his first food truck venture the scene was still in its infancy, with just a handful of players. But over the years the sector has grown tremendously, with hundreds of trucks now roaming the city. Despite the tough competition, Primo Street Pizza has managed to thrive by delivering top-notch pizzas and exceptional customer service. It’s a business strategy that is at the centre of everything they do.

What sets them apart? Unsurprisingly – their pizzas. From the traditional methods used for the dough to the best local produce, every pizza is a work of art. And best of all they are served straight from the oven out the window of the van, ensuring that the customers get to enjoy the pizza at its peak. No wonder the queues stretch so far.

So, what's the secret to this perfect pizza? "Besides an oven that can reach a really high temperature, I would say to be patient with your dough and understand the stages and structure," Paul explains.

And let's not forget about Primo Street Pizza’s retro Mercedes-Benz Van, "Big Bertha," which has become a fan-favourite in Melbourne's food truck scene. The Mercedes-Benz L912 was imported from Brazil, where it previously worked as a Snap-on tool truck, and given a new lease on life when it was turned into the one-of-a-kind food truck it is today. With its American styling and unique look, "Big Bertha" is hard to miss. It’s been a significant factor in Primo Street Pizza's success.

"She has plenty of quirks – you need to be gentle with her and know how things work, but everyone gets quite attached to Big Bertha."

Paul’s dedication to his craft, paired with a purpose-built oven imported from Italy, allows his team to bring the tastes of Naples to the punters of Melbourne. “Converting these vans is definitely a labour of love, as often contractors don’t like working on such old vehicles.” One thing is for sure, we’re thankful that Paul has managed to assemble the right team to help keep Big Bertha serving up slices for years to come.

And if you thought Big Bertha was impressive, there's more in store. Primo Street Pizza is currently working on another classic Mercedes-Benz Van, which promises to be just as iconic as their first. The team at Re Car and AMA group solutions are working with Paul to make this project possible, so there will be another Big Bertha roaming the streets of Melbourne soon!

When asked about his favourite events they cater, Paul says, "The Rip Curl Pro and summer events at the Sidney Myer music bowl are our favourites. But, our proudest moment was when Big Bertha featured centre stage on the final episode of Neighbours." Yes, that’s right, Big Bertha was one of the final cast members of Neighbours, serving up one final slice to Kylie Minogue and other residents of Ramsay Street before they said farewell to our screens.

With the season in full swing and a calendar full of private events and festivals, Primo Street Pizza is all set to continue bringing the heat to Melbourne. The van will be attending the Rip Curl Pro, That’s Amore ricotta festival, the Melbourne truffle festival and most Sidney Myer music bowl events in the upcoming months. Keep an eye out for Big Bertha at an event near you, and savour a slice for yourself!

Words: Isaac Sherburn

Images: Supplied

Content commissioned by Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd. Overseas and past model shown, which may not be available for purchase in Australia.